The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1912-02-17
A!NSWORTH QUITS
AVOIDS COURT
MARTIAL
Former vermonter Who Has
Been Adjutant General.
COULDN'T CURB HIS TONGUE
Was Entitled to Retire as He Had
Been In Service for Thirty
Seven Years

Washington, Feb. 17.-Adjt. Gen.
Fred G. Ainsworth, who was relieved
of his office on charges assumed TO
be those of conduct prejudicial to
good order and discipline, was yester-
day placed on the retired list on his
own application. This precludes the
possibility of court-martial. Presi-
dent Taft approved Gen. Ainsworths
application because of the officers 81
years of service. Friends OF Gen
Ainsworth In the House of Represen,
tatives, who resented the charge that
the adjutant general had been surrep-
titiously giving information to the
military affairs committee, were plan
ming a thorough investigation of the
war department but last night Chair
man Hay of the House committee said
that SO far as he was concerned the
officers decision ended the agitation
in congress.
But the House manifested its in
terest in the controversy by adopting
amendments to the army bill, which
was passed, providing for the consol-
dation of the Offices of the adjutant-
general and inspector general with
that of the chief of staff. 1t also eff
fected consolidation of the supply de-
partments of the army under gen
eral head. Mutual friends are said to
have prevailed upon Gen. Ainsworth
to take the course he did. His com
munication was carried to the war
department by Senator Warren of
Wyoming, chairman of the Senate
committee on appropriations, but for
merly chairman of the Senate mill
tary affairs committee. 1t was dated
yesterday and read
1.-The acting general of the army:
Sir: Having served continuously for
more than 81 years as a commission
ed officer Of the army, and being worn
with the heavy burden of care and
responsibility, that l have borne for
many of those years, do not desire,
In any circumstances, to retain longer
the position that | now hold on the
active list of the army. | therefore
respectfully ask to be retired from ac-
tive service and to be placed on the
retired list under section 124S of the
Revised Statutes. Very respectfully,
+. c. Ainsworth, Adjutant General.
This letter was submitted by Sena-
tor Warren to acting Adjt-Gen Mccain
II passed successfully through the
hands of Gen. Leonard Wood, chief
of staff, and Secretary Stimson and
was finally submitted to the president.
President Taft promptly forwarded
the following note to Mr. Stimson: ITO
the secretary of war: Upon his own
application Mai. Gen. F. G.. Ainsworth
the adjutant general, is hereby retir.
ed under section 1243. Revised Stat
utes. and the proper order may be
Issued"
Secretary Stimson instructed Gen
Wood as chief of staff to issue the
necessary order. This directed that
Gen. Ainsworth was officially retired
upon his own application" and in
structed him to proceed to his home
The order closed with the words
"The travel directed is necessary in
the military service" AS retired
officer of his rank. Gen. Ainsworth
will draw an annual salary of $6000
He will lose his allowance OF approx,
imately $4,000 which he had while on
active duty. The voluntary applica.
ton for retirement by Gen. Ainsworth
Quashes any charges against him.