The Washington herald., 1916-02-12
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partments were busily engaged all day
in attempting to stigmatize Mr.. Garri-
sons resignation as an unworthy act in
that II left the President in the lurch"
at a grave time, and while critics OF the
administration were as busily engaged
in prophesying an early disruption OF
the entire cabinet the War Department
was without a head for exactly twenty
two hours.
In November. 1915. the President issued
an executive order designating Gen. Hugh
Scott, chief Of STAFF, as acting secretary
Of war in the event of the temporary ab-
senCe or Illness OF the Secretary and the
Assistant Secretary.
When Gen. Scott arrived at the war
ONCE yesterday morning IL was to find
a decision by Gen. Enoch Crowder, Judge
advocate general of the army, that the
executive order did not apply as the ab-
sence Of the Secretary and the Assistant
Secretary was neither temporary nor due
to Illness.
While every incoming mall added to
the mountatn-high stacks OF letters ad-
dressed to the Secretary and Assistant
Secretary. Gen. Scott was Obliged to sit
Idle at his desk, awaiting the issuance
of a new executive order that would au-
thorizs him to use the functions Of his
position.
It was not until $40 o'clock yesterday
afternoon that this executive order was
finally issued. the delay being due to
the Presidents presence at a lengthy
Cabinet meeting and the pressure of even
more vital business.
Gen. Scott talked emphatically and
freely with the newspaper man-but not
for publication.
Scott Sides with Garrison.
L.
Gen. Scott holds views identical with Mr..
Garrison's as to the need of national
forces for national defense and is un-
alterably opposed to any plan that con-
templates attempting national defense
with State militia.
Army officers of all ranks admit that
there may be shakc-up in the War De-
partment inasmuch as their stanch sup
port Of the program presented by Mr..
Garrison and indorsed by the i esident
Is well known at the White House.
AS Gen. Scott is the highest officer on
whom any displeasure on the part Of the
administration would fall, an officer in
the War Department pointed out last
night that with the appointment of a
permanent Secretary of War there might
go an enforced retirement for Gen. Scott,
The result Of any such attempt to dis
cipline Gen. Scott, this officer declared
emphatically. would be serious in the
extreme.
THE whole bunch OF u.s." he said,
would go out with him"
The general impression in the War De-
partment is that Gen. Scott will have but
short time as Acting Secretary of
War.
Goethals Might Decline.
In view OF the close personal friendship
which exists between Gen. Goethals and
former President Roosevelt and the pos
sibility Of Col Roosevelt being a candi-
date for the Presidency, it is admitted
that the Canal Governor might find II
embarrassing to accept the place, On
the other hand, and because of his long
association with service sentiment con-
cerning the weakness OF the militia sys-
tenn, it is realized that Gen. GoethaIs
might find 1t difficult, as Mr.. Garrison
did, TO swallow any compromise defense
program based on an expansion OF the
National Guard and the abandonment Of
the principle Of Federal-controlled re-
serve army.
The Goethals talk Is an outgrowth of
eager efforts which were being made all
day by the Presidents advisers 10 nnd
man for the vacancy as soon as DOS
sible whose popularity throughout the
country would serve to restore public
confidence In the Administrations ma
tionsl defense legislation. It was this
same eagerness which was responsible
for the boom started earlier in the day
IN favor OF Secretary Of the Interior
Franklin X. Lane, who has generally
been regarded as man Of the "Gsrri-
son type"
That the Presidents stand in the Gsrri-
son controversy has strengthened him
tremendously among the members of his
party in Congress was manifested xen-
orally at the Capitol yesterday. Nen-
bers made no secret of the fact that
they regarded II as sealing the doom OF
the continental army plan and a victory
for the national guard organizations or
their respective States.
The House COMMITTEES on military
affairs, Of which Representative Hav is
chairman. passed a resolution commence
ing the Presidents stand. And tn.
Indiana delegation heretofore iukewarm
to the administration program. sent to
the President a communication pledring
him its support.
But in the same degree In which
satisfaction was manifested among Dem
IocrAtic members Of coaszssA ths feeling