The Washington herald., 1912-02-16

ministFation OF the army. HIS plans
met with no, sympathy in the Ad5utant
Generals ONCE. Officers OF the General
stan frequently complained that the Ad-
jutant Generals department placed every
possible obstruction in their path In their
attempts 70 work out reforms
When the Hay bills for the reorganiza-
tion OF the army and the consolidation
Of the Adjutant Generals department with
the General star were introduced, Gen.
Ainsworth warmly advocated them. II
was repeatedly charged that Gen. Aims
worth drew the complicated provisions
of the bill relating to personnel and pro-
motions, by which. II was contended he
would retire very soon with the rank of
lieutenant general In the hearings on
the bills, Cen Ainsworth declared those
who advocated the short enlistment, as
against the Hay proposal for FIVE
year enlistment, did not know what they
were talking about. Officers represent
ing opposite schools OF thought said as
much OF Gen. Ainsworth's supporters.
Only a few weeks ago. Secretary Stim-
son defended Gen. Ainsworth from at
tacks made upon him in private conver-
sation. Though admitting that Gen. Aims
worth's views on army organization and
military questions were not-as progress
sive as might be wished. and that Gen.
in the War Department most dificult.
the Secretary commented upon the ef-
hciency with which the Adjutant Cen
eral conducted his department.
"ObJectIonabIe" Matter.
Some Of the paragraphs in Gen. AIMS
worth's memorandum which are con-
strued by Secretary Stimson as referring
to him, and which brought on the crisis
in the Ainsworth case. are as follows:
'Tn compliance with the second part
CT the accompanying call the following
statement is submitted. although It Is
recognized that It will be difiicult II not
impossible to formulate any statement
that will carry conviction to any one
who is so unmindful OF consequences or
so uniformed as to the needs of the
and the public with regard
TO the matter I'm question as seriously
t. propose to abolish one Of the most
important. II not the most important,
OF all the records Of the War Depart
ment. However. the statement is sub
mitted in the confident expectation that
when other, II not wiser, counsels shall
prevail, and after experience with the
plan or any similar plan shall
have shown the inevitable evil effects
thereof, this statement will receive the
that may not be given
to 1t now"
Gen. Ainsworth says further:
But the adoption of this proposal
v ould hardly fail to be regarded general
~ as a mere subterfuge OF a kind that
would be scorned by honorable men in
any Of the relations Of private life. and
that would be most discreditable to a
great department Of the government in
Its management Of the affairs Of the
nation"
A veiIed reference to Gen. Wood comes
later:
IF they had had, or had profited by,
even a little service as company COM
in recent years. they would have
learned that" &c.
IN another place in the same memo
randum he says of the General Stan
plan: 1T is most inadvisable ever to in
trust TO Incompetent amateurs the man
agement Of business that is Of nation
wide Importance, and that can only be
prudently, safely. and efficient
ly by those whom long service has made
experts with regard to II, and It will be
" orse than useless to present further
facts or arguments here"
Now that the AdJutant General is about
10 face q court-mhrtial. officers OF the
department are wondering who will sit
l.
sral retired lieutenant generals and ma
ior generals will be called in. Lieut..
Gen. Nelson A. Miles might be ordered
10 sit as president of such a court.
storm I'm House.
The reading OF Secretary stimson's let
Ter in the House yesterday afternoon just
before the passage Of the Hay amend
nent increasing the term OF enlistment
from three TO five years precipitated one
of the stormiest sessions seen there thls
winter.
After the letter was read Representa-
tive Hobson rose under the five-minute
rule to oppose the extension of the en-
istment to five years. declaring that
such a move would deprive a small army
of its one reason for exIstence-the forma-
lion Of a reserve OF men who had served
terms In the army; that II is trifiing
with the defense OF the nation, is stu
pendously disruptive legislation, and ex-
travagant economy.
Il would charge conspiracy IL / had
he time" he said. Il desire to charge
that information has been supplied the
Committee which is largely mis-
eadinE. This information was communi-
,ated from the Adjutant General of the
army, who expected in return for his
services to be made lieutenant general
Many of the Committee on Military AZ
Iairs oppose this action"
Representative Garner asked whether
some of the army officers have not been
TOO influential with the members Of the
committee and have distributed their in
formation too freely.
Il think they have, and / will prove
t." said Mr.. Hobson.
Chairman Hay. of the Military Com
mittee. rose TO the defense OF the Adju-
tant General.
Il want to say that this bill was pre-
pared by the Committee on Military
he said, "and 1 want to give
credit to Adjt. Gen. Ainsworth for hav-
ing advised me when / went to him and
asked him for advice. / understand that
he has been relieved from duty to-day by
an order from the President.
do you know why?" asked Represent
alive Prince.
II don't know" replied Hay II only
know that he has been relieved
VIII you permit me to state, asked
Prince, will you give me half a min
ute?"
There was a chorus Of mo. nor and
Hay went on.
Hay slams Hobson.
Il want to say that ne was removed
for any advice given me in connection
with this bill It is one Of the greatest
Injustices to one OF the most eficient
officers in the army.
The gentleman from Alabama. whose
duty seems to consist in arousing the
fears of the people Of this country
against the people OF other countries;
which seems to consist in appearing
upon Chautauqua platforms and being
a hsant from shfs EIor-e .tatY-,s 20 10