New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-10-26
MILITARY MEN AST0NISHED
Governor Dix's Order Laid to
Verbeck and Politics.

In military circles here last night the
news Of Governor Dix's drastic order re-
moving General Organ as commander OF
the guard was received with great as
tonishment. Many officers asserted that
the Governors action was due 10 the
serious breach which has existed between
Adjutant General William Verbeck and
Major General John +. organ, IN which
the Governor has been Influenced to side
with General Verbeck.
General Verbeck, IL was asserted, had
been using his influence to get increased
powers for some time past, and, II was
also claimed, had been gradually usurp-
ing the power of the major general com
manding the national guard.
So serious were these alleged ambitious
movements Of General Verbeck consid-
cred, that General Organ recently called
meeting at his office OF all the COM
handing officers in the state and invited
them TO make any suggestions they
deemed fit looking TO the interest Of the
national guard. This meeting, II is as
serted, came within the military law, be-
cause the officers, while they discussed
certain details of the military situation.
did not let the nature OF the discussions
and opinions appear in public print The
fact Of the meeting being held was
brought TO the attention Of Governor Dix
by General Verbeck, who asserted that
the meeting YVES violation OF the mill
tary regulations. General Organ went to
Albany and explained the details OF the
meeting TO Governor Dix. and II was gen.
orally assumed the explanation was en-
tirely satisfactory TO the Governor.
Just about the time Of the meeting Gov
ernor Dix had increased the power Of
General Verbeck by making him chief Of
staff, in addition to his duties as adjutant
general Lieutenant Colonel W. W. Laid
rendered an opinion to Major General
Organ, which was forwarded to the Gov
ehnor, that the latters action In creating
the Office Of chief Of STAFF was contrary
to the military law Of the state, and asked
that the order be revoked.
This opinion, II is asserted by well in
formed officers. together with the holding
OF the meeting, greatly annoyed the Gov
ernor who then decided to place General
O'Ryan and certain members of his staff
on the supernumerary list.
No officer seen last night would allow
his name to be used In speaking of the
Governors action in removing General
O,Ryan from the active list but one of
the best informed officers in the national
guard said:
THE action Of Governor Dix In dis
handing the division Of national guard
and pIacing General Organ on the super
numerary list, and then re-establishing
the division, is nothing less than another
outrageous violation of military law. The
appointment Of q major general can only
be made with the consent Of the Senate,
and ne can only be removed from office
with the consent Of the latter Further
more, It is a grave question whether the
Governor has the right TO disband the
division of the national guard without the
consent OF the Legislature He can under
the law disband or create new organiza-
lions in the national guard, but not dis
band the division az a whole.
The Governor has unfortunately for
the national guard surrounded himself
with several incompetent military adyis-
ers. and has never sought advice from the
militia council, which is composed of COM
petent officers OF ripe experience
Officers Of the national guard who have