Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1915-04-22


Brig. Gen. George n. Harries. CON-
manding the District of Columbia
militia since November 30, 1897, and a
member of the organization continu-
ously for more than twenty-six years,
this afternoon applied for retirement.
Gen. Harrfes arrived in Washin ton
this morning from the west. and after
transacting some pressing business
proceeded to the War Department and
personally requested the Secretary of
War to take the necessary action that
will result in his name being trans
ferred from the active to the retired
list. Under the law. Gen. Harries is
entitled to retire with Increased rank,
and 1t is understood that new COM
mission will be issued to him by the
President Of the United States as major
general, retired.
Gen. Harries made a statement to a
reporter for The Star. after leaving
Secretary Garrison's office, in which he
said:
with the hope that I might at least
leave to the National Guard of the
District of Columbia the legislation
authorizing the construction and equip
ment of a suitable armory. / have re-
manned in command for a much longer
period than / anticipated when my
principal business compelled me to
spend the major portion of my time
away from the District.
Occasionally it has seemed as
though I might establish my business
headquarters here. or in New York, in
which event / would have been able
to give to the brigade the close per-
sonal attention which I had given it
through many years. But the trend of
my effort was constantly westward and
it has now become evident that my
never r-ceasing desire to return to my
actual residence in Washington will
not materialiZe for some years.
Private Business More Exactine.
My engineering and commercial re-
sponsibilties have increased greatly
and are continually becoming more
compelling: so it is no longer possible
for me to allot even a small percentage
of such energy as 1 may possess to the
organization which has possessed me
for twepty-six years, and which. for
more than seventeen years, ] have had
the honor and pleasure of commanding.
My naturally proud interest in the
brigade. in which ] have served so
long, will not diminish because of my
| change of status, and l shall not be
found wanting in case it, or any other
element of the military forces of the
United States. shall require my serv-
Of the District of Columbia shall
achieve increased efficiency have
asked that my application for retire.
ment be acted on aff1rmat1vely and as
promptly as may suit the convenience
OF the department
THE command Of this brigade came
to me almost as a bequest from the
brigade's creator, the late Gen Albert
Ordway. What 1 may have accom-
plished has been done as his trustee.
He laid the foundations. broad and
deep, and with the co-operation-affec-
tionate cooperation. I might say-of
officers who knew and appreciated his
military skill and wonderful personal
ity. and of other officers who never had
the privilege of knowing him, the
work he planned has been carried on
| as believe he wanted it to be done.
Il hope my successor-as I feel sure
he will be-will be imbued with the
| spirit of that fine soldier; without
have achieved the position it now has
| as a willing, capable body of citizen
| soldiers.
"As retired officer, shall. under
| the law, be eligible for duty whenever
! called upon, and in such contingency
| will endeavor to render such service as
| through the many years past / have
| given with whole hearted sincerity and
| cheerfulnesS."
! Succeeds Gen. Albert Ordway.
! November 30. 1897. President McKin.
| ley appointed Gen. Harries as brigadiel
! general commanding the District of Co
lumbia militia. t2 succeed Gen. Albert
! Ordway, deceased.
/ He was born in Wales. and came tc
( America at an early age He had
/ many thrilling experiences among the
| Rockies and on the plains. and endured
| all manner of hardships in frontier
| campaigning. In recognition of serv-
! ices rendered during the Sioux cam
| paign he was appointed a member OF
! the Sioux commission. which, during
the summer of 1891. treated with the
OgaIalas and the Brule. and the North
| ern Cheyenne Indians
! He learned to set type and was a
compositor in the government printing
| Office during the incumbency of S T.
| Rounds as government printer Wher
Mr. Rounds went to Omah ha and bought
the Republican. Mr.. Harries went with
him and became "A reporter on tina,
paper He returned to this city anC
| was for some time on the staff of the
| National Republican.
| When that paper was absorbed by the
| Post, MIR. Harries was said to be the
CONTINUED on Fourth Page.)