Honolulu star-bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1912-2010, 1914-03-11
ARMY and navy

Two colonies OF the army Colonel
Lea Febiger. commanding tae 9Th In
tantry. Preside OF San Francesca. and
Colonel William A. Nichols. chef OF
staff OF the western department, yes
terday were advised by telegraph
from Washington a few Gays ago.
according 10 latest mail advices. that
they have been placed on the retired
list on the recommendation OF the
retiring board. of which Brigadier-
general John ]. Pershing is presi.
dent, which recently examined the
officers at the Letterman general hos
pital, the Preside Both. the officers
are retired from the active service
Tor disability incident thereto. Col,
cnel Febiger having applied Tor re-
tIrement some weeks ago.
Colonel Febiger was appointed a.
90 lieutenant from civil lie on Aug
Ust Is, 1876, and was commissioned a
colonel January IS. 1911. He was.
first attached 10 the 9th infantry,
when a lieutenant-colonel N Decem-
Ter. 1899. He served on the general
staff from April 16. 1910. to Feuruary.
/, 1911. Prior to the time he was
obliged to take a sick leave of abb
sence six months ago in the hope Of
regaining his health he was COM
handing officer at the Preside.
Colonel Nichols also was appointed
I'd lieutenant of infantry from civil.
life, his commission dating from May
g, 1877 He became a colonel of in
fantry March II, 1911. lie served on
the general staff in 1911 and gradu-
ated from the infantry and cavalry
school in 1887 Colonel Febiger was
born January 4, 1858, and Colonel
Nichols was born May I. 1856.
- y
Secretary of the Navy Josephus
Daniels is taking up the problem of
lessening punishments metec out to
sailors and men of the maj lie corps
fer offenses that are not particularly
grave. He has issued the fonowing
statement:
About 1000 officers and men of the
ravy and marine corps are employed
in connection with naval prisons and
prison ships in guarding, Griiiing and
iEstructing the prisoners. The annual
cost OF prisons and prisoners is APP
proximately 81. 100000.
In view Of the above the depart
ment has under consideration
change in the form of punishment for
the one offense of unauthorized abb
senee in time of peace. BY ilis de-
liberate unauthorized absence from
station and duty in excess of "a or 4S
hours would be punished by summary
discharge from the service. as would
be done in any commercial firm in
civil life, instead of by Imprisonment.
I'm view of the radical nature of
this change and its farreaching effect,
ing action, TO refer this question to a
large number of prominen: officers in
the service. This was recently done.
but all the replies not having been re-
ceiyed, no action whatever has been
taken. nor has any except tentative
consideration been devoted to the
question.
Ny earnest desire is 20 take such
action as will secure in the navy will
ing. cheerful and happy service. The
enlistment now being full for the first
time in many years, the time is ripe
for the consideration of plans to less.
en- punishments upon bo:-s ana young
men who do not deliberately violate
the regulations" So
% T
Four officers of the nationa; guard
of California have been placed on the
sGpernumerary list, which is the same