The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-03-01
NONE BETTER, SAYS
ARMY OF HARBORD
Mitchell Couldn't Pick a More
Efficient Man. Is View of
His Associates.
FINE WORK IN ISLANDS
Organization of Rural Police
There Called Little Short
Of Marvellous.

WAsHiSGroS. Feb 2s-That there IL
than Capt James q. Hartford. u. s. A..
to serve as Police Commissioner Of New
YORK city was the statement Of army ofY,-
GERS here to-day when they learned Of ex-
President Taft's pubic suggestion to
Mayor Mitchell OF his name last night in
place OF that OF Col. George W. Goethais.
Officers who have served both with and
over Capt Hartford agree that he II one
OF the finest officers in the United States
army One of'icer Of very high rank and
exceptionally broad experience with men
said to-day:
81 consider Capt. Hartford one Of the
three best men we have ever had In the
Philippine Islands When one wants a
man to do mans work efficiently and
well the name OF Capt. Hartford instantly
suggests itself He is one OF the very
best all around men | know"
Capt Harbord's military record alone
suggests unusual qualities. He 70 q grad
uate Of the University OF Kansas. and
Immediately upon leaving college enlisted
as private In the regular army He
received a commission as a second lieu
tenant I'm 1891, two years after his first
enlistment.
In the war with Spain he was so un-
fortunate A. to be- with the second Ro,Rh
Rider Regiment, which never went to
Cuba. In the fall OF 1898. however. he
WAS sent 10 Cuba and early distinguished
himself in the civil administration OF
the islands.
Later he was brought to Washington
and entered the Office OF the bureau Of
insular AFFAIRS. recently established. In
1903 his regiment was ordered to the
Philippines and he insisted on going with
II. though he had not resigned his po-
sition in the bureau. IL In practically
certain he would have been it's chief at
the rank and pay of Brisadier-General.
In the Philippines in 1908. upon the
recommendation OF Gen. Leonard Wood.
he was selected to be assistant chief OF
the constabuiary. lie was assigned to
the Moro province, which Mt that time
was not all subdued officers who were
In the Philippines declare that Capt. Har-
bord's feat in organizing a constabulary
force out OF the natives OF the various
tribes Of Moros has never been equaiied
In any colony In the world. He took the
natives right out of the wilds in which
they were fighting the United States forces
nHu Wtlutu tltIu INTO "a most tIIlclenf
or rural police force.
When Gen. Bandholtz was relieved in
1917 II was hoped To make Capt. Hartford
chief OF the constabulary Of the Philip
pines. Legal difficulties prevented, how
sver. and II was possible Ia do no more
Ihan designate him acting chief on jan
lary I. 1914, the "Manchu law pass..d
by Congress forced his detachment from
The head OF the eonstabulary. although
Governor General Forbes made a special
plea that the law be lodged. He WIS
assigned to the Preside at Monterey, Cal.
-everting to his rank Of Captain.
Ills Acceptance DOsssed
Capt Hartford 10 not eligible for re.
iremcnt from active service nor for de- |
ached service. Were he to accent the
Police Commissionership he would have 10
'estgn from the army. Officers here ex-
PRESSED the opinion he Is too much OF a |
'oldier to give 'up his military career for |
, political uncertainty.
Several years ago Capt. Hartford was |
married. 10 daughter Of Brig Gen |
samuel Ovenshine. u. s. A.. retired.
Col. Cocktails said to-day that the SUN |
.estiOns made by Mr., Taft In regard to |
he reward he. Col. Goethals. should have |
Ifter completing his work on the canal |
we're not based on any discussion between |
hem. The Colonel said he had not dis |
'ussed with Mr.. Taft at any time his |
hopes or ambitions as TO the future
Asked as to his attitude toward Mr.. |
rafts suggestion that Congress confer
m him the rank OF Major General and
make him chief OF the engineer CORPS of |
he army. Col. Goethals declined to make
my comment. lie further declined 20 |
ay what he would most like TO do after |
GA wing the Canal Zone.
That Mr. Taft is as well Informed az
my one besides the Colonel himself as To
What would suit Col. Cocktails most Is |
he conviction here. and 1t is believed |
hat in his suggestions before the National
Geographic Society Mr.. Tar came near
o the truth.