Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1915-03-10
The World Wide War Trust

military affairs committee. gave the
carriage much adverse publicity IN the
senate a. the time. tSce Consression-
al Record. PIP. 5fos-5fif. pt 8. vol -.
/ STA Cong
Captain Crozier VAS stu = party 70
F the contract with the Bethlehem com
7 pany. w.hen. % the aulazement Of army
circles. be vac nominated ia March.
is0e. for the position Of chief Of ord
nance.
This Advancement meant a jump
over the heads o. q officers and three
grades. which was q violation OF AZ
least the spirit OF an act approved
FEB ?. 1901. An act 20 increase the
efficiency Of the permanent military
establishment OF the United States
which provided:
That when vacancies shall occur in
the position Of chief OF any stan corps
or department the president may sp-
point 70 such vacancies. by and With
the advice and consent OF the senate.
officers % the army ~ large not below
the rank % lieutenant colonel. and
Who shall hold once for terms OF four
years
The rank Of captain Is the next
grade below that o. Lieutenant colonel.
appointment 10 the position OF chief
% ordnance also made Captain Gro
zier a member Of the board OF ord
nance and fertilization. and his ap-
poiutmeut therefore vas in direct VIC
Iaflon OF an act approved Feb. IS. 1898.
which contained the following;
Provided. That hereafter no person
shall be a member OF or serve on said
board who has been or r. in any man
uer Interested In any invention. device.
or patent which. or anything similar
20 which. has been considered or may
bc considered by or come before board
FOR test or adoption, or who rs con-
uectcd with or On the employ 81 any
manufacture who las or shall have
contracts with the United States Tor
any ordnance materials. Earnest op-
position was made before the senate
committee on military affairs 10 the
confirmation OF General Crozier's nom
nation 40 reelection was made on
General Crozier's personal character
or upon his efficiency. Attention was
directed 90 the fact that he had been
iu partnership with the Bethlehem
company. which he did not terminate
until eight months after his confrma-
UouI. from which concern. 80 competi-
lion with others. he would be called
upon. as chief or ordnance. 90 purchase
materials agEreEatinE millions o. dol
lars ln value
o. was further coutcuded that even
~ Do had SO arranged his affairs as 10
leave him no pecunisry interest what
ever On his patents at home or abroad.
fs would sf.il be disqualified for po-
.IfIou on the board % ordnance and
furfircation or as chief OF ordnance.
.he-e Dee would So boz Judgment upon
DTS Dan inventions aud upon those OF
o. similar character belonging 20 other
men. because the natural pride OF an
inventor iu his own production might
prejudice him iu their favor.
o. was also pointed out that 20 his .
disappearing gun carriage should be
%. E'd ty this government and install f.
ga fu lnrEe numbers by our govern .
mrrf Tor defense purposes 10 would
tend t1 make 20 more attractive TO
foreign nations. and thus create de-
maud for 90 abroad
Tho propriety of an officer OF the .
TrIfed States army onerinE for sale
and seeking Goo prof' by the sale 90
fore .eU nations az weapon OF de-
Tense perfected at the expense OF the /
American people was also raised.
when iu the debate on the army bin .
9 vsutured 90 call attention 90 the fact .
that General Crozier had formerly .
been lr partnership with the Bcthie-
heus company. and that ever since his f.
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