Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-02-17
Complete Investigation Pro-
posed by House Committee.
AINSW0RTH CASE AS BASIS
High Officials to Testify Regarding
Army Conditions.
STATUS OF RETIRED OFFICER
Former Adjutant General Amenable
to Military Law-Department
Abandons Court Martial.

The Ainsworth case the row betwesn
the line and staff of the army, the use of
the army as a political machine and the
personal fueds that are said to threaten
the efficiency Of the army will all be in
vestigated by the House committee on
expenditures in the War Department
This Is the same committee that recently
turned the searchlight on the scandal in
volving Maj. Beecher b. Ray of the army
pay corps. who. it is alleged, was saved
from court-martial on three separate
occasions because of his political work in
the 1908 campaign
"A meeting OF the committee on expen-
ditures in the War Department has been
called for next Monday morning at half
past 10 O'Clock. when the Ainsworth case
VIII be discussed and a plan Of inquiry
outlined The chairman and members OF
the committee seem to feel that while the
war Department may regard the Aims
worth case as closed by the acceptance
or that ofhcer's application for retire
ment. this view does not extend to Con-
gress Consequently IT is proposed to
dig to the bottom of the whole matter,
many members of the House who are not
members of this committee expressing the
oeiief that there should be a general
washing Of dirty ARMY linen a compre-
hensive airing OF bitter army feuds and
a real housecleaning.
Ainsworth First Witness.
Gen. Ainsworth himself will probably
be the first witness called by the commit
tee. and in addition to being questioned
about the Ray case, he will be kept ON
the stand until the committee feels that
1t has obtained every possible detail. from
ms point of view, that will aid 1t In
understanding the situation In the War
department and in every branch of the
army organization. subpoena has al.
ready been issued for Gen. Ainsworth
Gen. Wood and other high officers of the
army Will be examined later. While IL
has not yet been decided. 1t is practically
certain that Secretary Of War Stimson
will be called.
1t is expected by the committee that
Gen. Clarence r. Edwards for many
years chief of the bureau sof insular af-
fairs of the War Depertmsnt. andAa close
be an exceedingly interesting witness. A
subpoena will be issued Monday for his
appearance.
Members Of the committee were uncom.
municative today with respect to the line
of questioning to which Gen. Edwards
will be subjected. but 1t is understood the
alleged activity Of the army in politics.
with reference to the 1903 campaign, will
form the basis of this offcers examine
tion..
Not Released by Retirement.
The published statement that the re-
tirement of Adjt. Gen. Ainsworth pre-
cluded his being tried by court-martial
is entirely erroneous. according to on
cials of the War Department. As a re-
tired officer he is amenable to the articles
of war and the rules and regulations Of
the army, and is held to a strict ac-
for his conduct as an officer
and gentleman. just the same as when
he was on active duty.
The intention to court martial Gen
Ainsworth was abandoned by the Presi-
dent i'm his discretion. for the reason IL
is stated. that the officer having volun-
tarily surrendered the office, where It
was charged he was a disturbing ele-
ment. there no longer was any reason
for prosecuting him for alleged insubordi-
nation and disrespect to his superiors.
with a possible view to accomplishing
practically the same result.
AS stated at the War Department Gen.
Ainsworth can be brought to trial at any
time. regardless Of his retired status.
should the President deem IL justified by
service.
That statement is accepted to mean that
Gen. Ainsworth is fully expected to heed
the personal warning given him by Sec
StiuISOH 10 cease lnQulSlnS an mill
tary politics and taking too active a part
in the formulation OF legislation for the
army.
Declines to Talk.
Gen. Ainsworth refuses to discuss his
action or his plans. 1t is believed he will
continue his residence in this city, al
though it is possible he may move to
some city in the far south, as he has
h
warmer climate than prevails either I'm
his boyhood home In Vermont or in this
city in the winter time.
He may be detailed to active duty with
his own consent. but not otherwise 1t is
possible, in view of his known desire for
active employment of some kind and his
ability as an administrative
officer. that he may be called back even
tually into the government service for the
execution of some duty for which he is
specially qualified. But, as stated that
could be done only with his consent
Ainsworth's Action Voluntary.
The issue between the Secretary of
War and Cen Wood. chief of staff, on the
one hand, and Adjt. Gen. Ainsworth on
the other. was brought to a termi-
nation unexpectedly late yesterday after
noon by the voluntary retirement of
Gen. Ainsworth. admittedly to the great
relief of all concerned. Everything was
being arranged for the trial OF Gen. Aims
worth by court-martial. Telegraphic in
quiries had been sent to half a dozen re-
tired officers of high rank TO learn IL
they were prepared to serve on the court,
and a line officer outside of Washington
had been instructed to report to the Sec
retary of War to prepare the charges and
act as Judge advocate. All of. these prep
arations suddenly ceased when Gen. Aims
worth's application for retirement was
The application was brought about
through the good offices of some Of Gen.
i'd. who not only induced him to adopt
that course, but brought the President
and Secretary Stimson to see that by the
acceptance of the application a bitter
army scandal would be avoided.
Presented by Senator Warren.
1t was Senator Warren OF Wyoming,
chairman Of the Senate committee on ap-
but until recently at the
head of the Senate military committee.
who personally presented Gen. Aims
worth's application for retirement to the
War Department
ldjutant general Of the army, and said:
han thirty-seven years as commits
vioned officer Of the army, ana beiEg
worn with the heavy burden OF care and