New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-09-01
Action on Alleged lrregu'
larities May Be Delayed
by Troop Transfers
MenArrive From South
Approximately Half of Rain
bow Division Is Now at
Camp Mills
tstan Correspondentl


ton on reports turned over to him
which are said to reveal irregularities
in the selection and equipment Of de-
tachments sent to join the old 69th
from several New York and Brooklyn
National Guard units.
Major Olmsted has been placed in
charge of the investigation.
1t is possible that, with the New
York Guardsmcn scheduled to leave for
Spartanburg, S. c., shortly, action on
these reports may be delayed. 1t was
pointed out at Camp Mills to-day that
the reports were turned over to Cen
erai Organ merely as matter Of
courtesy to him as the commander Of
the 9th Division.
Officers of the 165th are privileged,
as members Of unit in the Federal
service, to send them direct TO the War
Department at Washington. Oficers
here question the ACCESSIBILITY Of pre-
cipitating a National Guard row at
this time. But they also feel, it is
known, that with the country in state
of war, offences which might have been
condoned in ordinary times should be
handled summarily. Further investl-
CATION into the methods employed by
several New York units in selecting
and equipping the men they sent to
Camp Mills was under way early this
morning.
Affdavits were taken from a nu.lber
Of men in the incoming u!its, attesting
TO what preceded their departure from
their respective armories for Camp
Mills. These affidavits, sworn TO in
the presence of officers of the 165th,
have been placed in General Organs
hands.
The regiments were to select the men
sent to the 69th by scheme formu-
lated by the War Department which
outailed the sending of every fifth,
sixth or seventh men on the regimental
rosters TO Camp Mills. The number
sent was determined by the strength
CT the units and varied. Some sent
the fifth, some the sixth and others the
seventh names on the rolls.
Some of the units, it has developed,
did not follow out this plan. They
selected the men sent TO Camp Mills
promiScuously and without adherence
TO the War Departments scheme. Some
regiments, il is said. deliberately
foisted their undesirables on the first
Rainbow Division. Men came here
from other ur its as non-commissioned
officers. wearing their stripes for the
first time, it is said. One man is said
10 have told officers here how the good
equipment he had was taken from him
ana an unser;iceabe musket given him
instead of his own perfect gun. Others
Of the men who came here were suffer
ing from serious ailment.
A large number of ths men who came
from other units will be weeded on, OF
the old 69th, whatever disposition is
made of the reports. 1t is possible that
a recruiting station will be opened up
later here at the camp, and that
hundreds of fine men clamoring for a
chance to push into the Rainbow Divi-
sion will be given their opportunity.
officers here believe they could fill up
the vacancies entaled by the expul-
sions in a single day.
Brown Succeeds Lehman
Brgadier General Robert A. Brown,
who will head the saith Brigade of the
42d Division, comes to camp to-mor-
row. He will be the ranking officer,
succeeding General Lehman by semi
ority. General ". A. Mann, who will
command the entire division, is due
here Wednesday.
A unit OF 1905 men, comprising the
4th Alabama Infantry. came to camp
to day. The Sou.herners entrained
from Camp Sheridan, Alabama, in eight
sections. The first section arrived
early this morning, and by s o'clock to-
night the last Of the Alabama men
were here. The unit was under the
command of Colonel William P. Screws.
They are tenting directly behind the
boys Of the old 59th.
One hundred men from the ID
Louisiana Cavalry came in this morn
ing. They will form the division
Headquarters troop. Three hundred
men, formerly members of the Sd Caro-
lima Engineers, arrived at o'clock this
afternoon.
About 10000 men are in Camp Mills
now. They comprise almost half of the
first Rainbow Divisions full compile
ment OF $4,000 men.
Thousands of visitors are expected
in Camp Mills this Sunday. Not the
least of these will be Colonel Roose-
welt. The Colonel will visit friends in
the vicinity of Hampstead Plains Sun
day, and he has accepted an invitation
TO come into camp.