Atlanta Georgian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1912-1939, 1914-01-25
Cites State Code to General Nash
in Refusing to Abolish Position
Of Quartermaster General 0c-
cupied by William G. 0bear.
"This Office Was Maintained by
My Predecessor, and | Do Not
Desire to Change Old Status"
Declares Governor of Georgia.

Governor Slaton replied Saturday to
Adjutant General Joseph VanHolt
Nashs recent written recommends
ton that the office of Quartermaster
General, now held by General Will
liam G. Obear, be abolished and that
the s2,75O salary attaching thereto be
discontinued, by declining to approve
either recommendation.
The Governor planted himself
sQuarely upon the law, as he under
stands it, and stated expressly that
the present Quartermaster was con-
tinued in Office at the Governors re-
quest when the present. administra-
ton took charge of the States bust
ness ...
The Governor said the law calls for
roth an Adjutant General and Quar-
teTmaster General with the rank of
brigadier general, and prescribes GER
tain duties for each. The Governor
suggested the propriety of a legisla-
tive inquiry into the present status
Of the Quartermaster General, under
Circular s, recently issued by the Ma
tional War Department, and said that
if the salary now attaching to the po-
StiOn is too large, it might be read
lieve the Governor of Georgia has any
authority to abolish the office, even
though in his judgment it may be OBJ
solete, SO long as an unrepealed law
calls for its existence.
As between a Federal War Depart
ment regulation and statute of
Georgia the Governor said he must
follow the statute.
Obear in Madison.
lust what direction the now famous
Nash Obear controversy will take is
probematical General Nash posi-
lively declined to say anything for
publication. as did General Obear, who
is in Madison.
General Nash has stated that the
othce of Quartermaster General is, in
mis- opinion, utterly useless, and the
salary paid to it's holder is pure
waste Of money. He said that he
would not recognize the existence of
Inc Quartz master Generals depart
ment officially after January /, 1914.
and so far has had no communica
lion with it since that date.
Now that the Governor has over
ruled his recommendations, however,
may be that General Nash will re-
sumo official relation with General
obear.
General Obear has kept his own
-ounsel rather closely since the be-
ginning of the controversy in which
he finally has been sustained.
Legislature May Act.
It is probable, so military men
mink, that the war between these de-
lartments will now be transferred to
'ne Legislature, which meets in June.
The Governors official reply to Gen
'ral Nash follows:
January "a, 1914.
acknowledge receipt of your let
Ter Of November 10. 1913.
The pertinent sections of the Code,
IN addition to those you have set
iorth, are Sections 1861, 1862 and
1868, which, so far as relevant, are
quoted.
Sec. 1861. GOVERNORS STAFF.
ne military staff of the Governor
SHALL consist of one Adjutant Cen
''al and one Quartermaster General
VINO shall EACH have the rank OF
u'Igadier general
Sec. 1852. ADJUTANT GENER-
49, The Adjutant General shall be
'l the head of the Military Depart :
nent of the State and subordinate
oNIy to the Governor in matters per
aiming TO said department. He shall
give his whole time and attention "a
ne office. and snail receive salary
" $4,000 per annum, to be paid out
OF the military fund. He shall per
'orm such duties as pertain to the Of
nee of Adjutant General as from time
Continued or Page 2, Column 5.