New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-01-02
Organ Escapes Investigation.

The Organ matter. 1t IL known. has
caused the bitterest feeling between Gov
ernor Dix and Governor Sulzer, and al
times IT was difficult for the former Gov
ernor to conceal 1t. The quashing OF the
Investigation into the conduct OF General
Organ as commander OF the battery or
field artillery has produced especially un-
favorable comment.
Concerning 1t General Nerbeck made
this statement tonight.
| have no quarrel with Governor Sulzer
over his radical action. but in the various
orders which he Tescinded was one apol,
ishing a board TO examine the nnanclaI
accounting Of moneys in the HANDS OF
.'ohn +. Organ when he was IN com
mand OF the lst Battery and 2d ia talon.
field artillery. This board was duly con,
stituted with high ranking and Impartial
officers, being composed Of General VIII
lam g. Bates. list Infantry. New YORK;
Colonel Walter g. Hotchkin. I'D Ensl-
neers. New York. Colonel william WIZ
son. Sd Infantry. Rochester. Major
George 4. Lawyer. Judge Advocate. 81
Brigade. Albany. and Major H. J. Cook
inham, LIST Infantry. Utica.
This board was detailed TO investigate
what seemed 10 he a serious condition of
affairs. II came 10 my official notice that
there were certain expenditures which. II
rot Illegal. at least had every indication
Of being suspicious. set an officer from
my office al work. and finally IT became
necessary to call the services OF q pubic
accountant, ana the IactS louh1 were
reported to me.
Had Governor Sulzer known this stu
alton | believe ne would not have acted
so hastily. He issued the statement to-
day that his order was in the Interest OF
efficiency. Does il show desire to at
tain efficiency by covering up an inVesu-
CATION
"FiIe Charges" Says Suzer
When told Of General verbeck's state
ment Governor Sulzer said:
If General Verbeck has any charges TO
rrefer against General Organ he knows
how TO file them. and II any charges are
filed against General Organ ! know how
To- proceed with them. II there If any
body in the state that knows of anything
wrong / shall gladly have them file
charges and / shall make a careful in
vestigation. This is the place TO make
charges, and | am the man TO Initiate the
proceedings, and I'll do it without fear or
favor.
No one believed that Governor Sulzer
would continue General Nerbeck in com
mand of the national guard, but the haste
| with which the new executive deposed him
vas n surprise to all. not the least to Cen
eral Verbeck
Governor Dix on October &c deposed
Major General O'Ryan by temporarily dis
banding the divisional organization OF the
national guard and making General
Organ a supernumerary. Previous to
| that he had created the position OF chief
| of stan. the duties OF which were to be
performed by the adjutant general. This
practically placed the control Of the ma
tional guard under Adjutant General Yer
heck. stripping General Organ of his au-
thoritv. All these orders Governor Sulzer
rescnded to-day.
Friction had existed between General
Verbeck and General Organ ever since
the latter last spring attempted to obtain
salary as major general and was pre-
vented from doing so by the adjutant
general Governor Dix In a public state
ment about two weeks ago admitted that
this friction was the cause Of his issuing
| the orders. depOsing General O'Ran.
Says Dix's Action Was Illegal.
I'm his statement given out with the
| order Governor SulZer expressed the opin-
ion that IL was against the constitution
and the military law that IAN officer vested
with the command OF all the military
forces and responsible TO the Governor for
| their discipline and efficiency should be
summarily displaced from his office with
out charges and without an opportunity
TO deny any accusation against him.
After mature elaboration he said. II am
satisfied that the action taken in General
! O'Ryan's case was contrary to the law.
which must always prevail. and was there
fore "A nullity and created no vacancy
that could be lawfully filed"
Governor sulzer said his action to-day
| is for the good OF the guard. and will meet
I the approval Of the best military opinion
ip the state.