Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-02-12
Gen. Scott Kept Busy.

Of the army, who is temporarily ad-
ministering the affairs of the War De-
partment under an executive order is
sued yesterday authorizing him to act
as Secretary Of War for a period not
exceeding thirty days. pending the ap..
pointment of regular Secretary Of
War. was an exceedingly busy man to-
day.
In addition to the routine business of
his military Office as chief of staff, he
was called upon to dispose of all the
regular business of the purely civil es-
tablishment that has accumulated
since the designations and sudden de-
parture of former Secretary Garrison
and former Assistant Secretary Breck-
mostly of a routine character, was
piled on his desk in the early morning.
1t came from all the bureaus and di-
visions of the department.. AS each
batch was disposed Of additions of
fresh correspondence was placed before
the acting secretary and kept him al
most constantly engaged.
1t became necessary during the morning
ters to confer personally with the heads
of most of the military bureaus and
also to see mnay persons from the outside
having business requiring consideration
though a great mass of correspondence
was disposed of it is stated that Gen
Scott carefully refrained from acting on
any important matter of policy or any
new question that was likely to come be-
fore the next civilian secretary for de-
termina ton.
General satisfaction was everywhere
manifested over the fact that the
machinery of the great esta blishment.
which had been temporarily interrupt
ed, was running smoothly again, and
that there was a responsible head to
whom any important matter of busi-
ness demanding immediate settlement
could be submitted.
Expect Mr.. Garrison to Return.
Although nobody in the War Depart
ment has heard from Mr.. Garrison
since his hasty departure for New York
Thursday afternoon, il is assumed in
the immediate Office of the Secretary
that he will certainly return here in a
few days. at least. in order to arrange
for the transfer of his private papers
and effects in his private Office in the
War Department and in his former
residence on Connecticut avenue. At
any rate, he has not asked his former
private secretary nor any one else, so
far as known, to attend to those mat
ters for him.
Furthermore, it is indicated that Mr..
Garrison will return to this city for the
purpose of saying farewell to his for
mer official associates and to assist in
the induction of his successor into of
fee. in conformity with the usage In
such cases. Mr. Breckinridge, who is
now on visit to Jamestown. Va IN
company with Mrs. Breckinridge, may
also return to this city when his sue
cessor is appointed. in order to intro
duce him to his official associates and
acquaint him with the character OF un-
finished business.
Among the military matters which
Mr.. Garrison expected to dispose Of
but which were left unsettled. was the
court-martiaI case of Lieut.. Col. Lewis
i. Goodier of the judge advocate gem
erals department and the case of Mai
George T. Langhorre, formerly United
States attache at Berlin, who Is said
to have brought important mail to the
German embassy in this city. Mr.. Car
rison reviewed the Goodier case. but
did not submit it to the President. as
he intended. and was about to investi
gate the case of Maj Langhorne to see
II court-martial proceedings were re-
quired.
Interest in Successors.
Officers of the army and all employees
Of the War Department naturally are
greatly interested in the selection of the
successors of Mr.. Garrison and Mr..
Breckinridge. and are hopeful that action
will not be delayed more than few days
Service men. while admitting that they
would rejoice over the appointment Of
NAL Gen. Goethals or some other able