New-York tribune., 1915-03-28

war the infantry arm was looked down on, but
now it is one Of the most revered branches of
the army.
1--WE take off hats to the infantry now"
said an officer of a cavalry regiment to n Tribune
representative. "They can have anything we've
got. The man in the trench has shown the cavalry
what he can do. He is the backbone of the
service now"
How could middle class man aspire TO
army career when a second leutenancy went for
more than $1,000? Besides that was only be-
ginning Each successive step had 70 be pur-
chased. Some Of the most efficient officers,
of modest means had to be content with remain
ing junior officers.
1t was during the time the Duke Of York
Secretary Of War that of the worst scandals
that stirred the army came to light, and
that, too, result of the sale of a commission.
1t was engineered by a woman, who mis-
tress Of the duke, by Mrs. Mary Anne
Clark. She really at the head Of large
traffic in commissions.
The particular case which brought shout the
exposure was that Of Brevet Major Hogan, in
1909 For three years he had been noted for
advancement to substantive rank. But during
that period more than forty juniors in rank had
been jumped over him. He then resigned his
commission, but found himself deducted f400 Of
the regulation price Of his commission (S1100).
The War Department said it had received only
$780, and, unable to obtain redress, Major Hogan
laid the matter before the press.
Powerful influence set to work Immediately TO
hush up everything in connection with IT, well
dressed woman called at the majors hotel and
left him note containing G4OO and the warn
ing that if he did anything more to bring the
1;,,Lt { to hear ha Tair
family would be greatly dispeased. II he should
press the case no further he would find it great
ly 10 his advantage.
But it had got beyond bounds. II finally
brought out that between the years 1904 and
1906 there had been a regular traffic in commits
sons the dukes mistress engineering matters.
One Of the most famous of Cruikshanks car
toons Throw in your 500 here and III give
you majority: ! am the principal Clark'-fol-
lowed the exposure. The artist pictured afluent
officers leaping over the backs of veterans until
they reached Mrs. Clark who is made the medium
for the quotation appearing with the cartoon.
Like many a famous adventuress Mrs. Clark
came from humble origin. She was the daughter
Of a tradesman, was born in 1916, and in 1872
married an artisan. She met the duke at a spa
in 1902. The duke being unable or unwilling to
supply her with enough funds, she hit upon the
plan Of selling her influence with him.
The Hogan incident did not end with publicity
alone, for in 1909 Colonel Wardle, NJ. P, moved
for select committee Of inquiry, and 1t was
before this committee that Mrs. Clark admitted
the duke had cognizance Of her traffic in com
missions. The duke, however, was whitewashed,
4 majority Of 50 out of 47i standing by him, but
he resigned two days later.
The gross mismanagement Of the War Office
during the Crimean War brought about drastic
changes in 1856 Previously the army had been
administered by the War Office, the Horse Guards,
the Ordnance Office the Foreign Office, Colonial
Office and the Treasury. reorganization was
effected, and the administration was vested IN
the Commander in Chief the Financial Secretary
and the Surveyor General OF Ordnance.
The South African campaign brought other
changes until to-day the head Of the War Office
is the Secretary Of State for War, who is re-