New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-06-16
Commander of 18th Retired
Summarily by Order OF
Governor Glynn.
FIELD OFFICERS
MAY RESIGN SOON
Colonel N. B. Thurston Appointed
to Bring Command Into
State of Efficiency.

Colonel Charles O. Davis, commanding
the 18th Regiment Coast Artillery n u
y Y. was summarily retired YESTERDAY
bv an order issued by Adjutant General
Hamilton in Albany.
Colonel Nathaniel d. Thurston, chiet 0.
ordnance was by the same order sppo''l.eu
,er,norarily 10 take command OF the l5th
tonight. with instructions TO bring IT INTO
a state Of efficiency. Lieutenant Colonel
James T. Ashley, who would naturally
have succeeded Colonel Davis IN com
mand. was passed over lie Is uhue'
Indictment with Edward NJ. circuit loI
perjury in connection with BROOKLYN
banking matters, and won 50 much no
torietv through his alleged criminal con
duct in financial affairs that IL "oulu
have been impossible for that reason
alone 10 give him charge OF the regiment,
Tho order from the Adjutant Generai
WAS not generally known yesterday Co'-
onel Davis first heard OF II from re-
porter for The Tribune. When II ooes
become public to-day 1t is the oeiiet OF
The we'll informed that II will spit the
18th wide open. This command the
largest OF the three coast artillery organ
iZatiOnS in the .SIdte' 10
regimental politics.
Many OF the officers and men are STRONG
friends of the retired colonel ana IL IS
believed they will not accept with soou
grace his involuntary retirement, ana WIN
even less the appointment of an outsider
n command. particularly one with the
reputation for strict discipline Colonel
Thurston has established for himself
Nv the same order retiring Colonel DAVIS
Brigadier General William Norris chIel
OF Coast Artillery, was also retreu' bu'
his retirement was at his own request
He was appointed br1gadier some loul
weeks ago as a reward for long ana
rneritorlous service, and Immediately al
ter his appointment asked 10 De Ie'ii GU
THE authorities held off, however WISH
ing TO give Colonel Davis the opportunity
to be appointed a brigadier and cnle1 OF
Coast Artillery, so that he, too might
then gracefully retire.
Such a programme met no favor IN the
coloneTs eyes. He stated that he desired
IN remain in the position he held. rms
WAS considered a defiance OF the pans Vi
the military authorities and serious GU
stacle in the way OF improving the coast
Artillery branch of the service
Colonel Davis was told that he might
have several weeks to reconsider mis- po-
sition. He refused TO alter his stand ana
Yesterday Governor Glynn approved lhe
recommendation for mis- retirement ana
signed the order TO that erect
The 18th has a strength of 936 officers
and men, But its attendance at Co"s'
defence exercises has been the smahes''
on a percentage basis, Of any OIL the
Coast Artillery regiments. The ADMIN
jstration Of its affairs in other ways u
known not to have been satisfactory 10
the authorities. who decided that des-
perate remedies were needed to BRING II
10 a proper state of efficiency
Colonel Thurston has a reputation Tor
reyivifying decadent organizations. some
wears ago he was put in charge OF the
I'd Engineers when il was in bad plsht'
and after a year brought the organization
ND 10 a high state of efficiency. lie oio
tbe same for the LIST Regiment, Field Ar
tiIlery. several years ago
Colonel Davis was born June H. 1891"
and joined the 18th as private III COM
many 4 October 6. 1880. He succeeded
colonel David E. Austen as colonel oil
the regiment in December. 1905.
II is possible that Lieutenant Colohe'
Ashley. Major George Washington Rodg-
ers. Major Sydney Grant and Mayor
George II. Kemp may consider the APP
pointment Of Colonel Thurston to com
mand so serious a reflection upon them
selves that they will offer their resigna-
lions. but this is not considered probable.