Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-06-20
WRIGHT TO HANDLE
MAIL FOR SOLDIERS
Virginian Appointed on Commits
sion to Accompany Expe-
dition to France.
TRIBUTE TO HIS EFFICIENCY
Former Postmaster of Norfolk
and for Many Years in
National Guard.

The War Department last night call
ed Major Clinton L. wright adjutant-
general OF the First Brigade. vir-
Sinia National Guard. into the Federal
service for duty as the military mem
bcr Of the Postal Expedtionary Com
mission TO France. which Will be
charged with the duty of handling the
mail OF the millions of Americans who
viii serve in the war against Germany.
The telegram announcing the de-
cision OF the department way received
last night by Governor Stuart. whose
wishes had been consulted in the mat
ter. and who reluctantly gave his con
sent that the services OF Major Wright
should be transferred from the State
TO the Federal government. At this
time. Major Wright is on duty AT the
Office Of AdjutantGcneral Sale. in
charge OF registration under the con-
scription act.
The calling Of the distinguished Vir-
Sinia officer for service on the Postal
EIpcditionary Commission 20 France
IS distinct honor. and indicates the
regard in which he is held by the Post
Office Department. at whose urgent re-
quest the tranfercnce was made.
Major Wright is one Of three men in
the United States who Will serve on
this commission. The other tue will
be civilians. whose appointments have
not yet been made known.
FIELD POST-oFFICE
ron EACH DIVISION
The plan of tho United States FOR
supplying postal service TO the vast
army which will fight her battles in
France IL an ambitious one and will
REQUIRE for it's successful operation the
best-1uaiifed men Of the nation. II
contcmplatcs field post office for each
division in the army. The commission
Will supervise the entire service, and
upon its efficiency and executive abil-
ity will depend the success of the pro-
jcct
Major "rights experience in the
postal service extends over period of
thirty-thrce years. Beginning AS "A
letter carrier. he has been promoted
through every grade to that OF post
master Of the city of Norfolk. Tic held
this position under President William
IL. TAFT from July l. 1911. to July /,
1915, and has since been serving in the
capacity Of assistant postmaster. With
the exception of former Postmaster
Morgan. of New York City, his OK
perience in handling Uncle Sans mails
in the country.
His service in the Virginia National
Guard has been hardly less distin-
Euished than his connection with the
United states Post-Office Department
Thirty-thrce years of his life have been
spent In the military service OF the
state and country. on June IL. 1854.
he enlisted as private in the Norfolk
CITY Guard. Through meritorious ser
vice he was advanced ny the time OF
the spanish American War to the
grade OF hrst lieutenant. and served
with that rank throughout tho war
with Spain
SUPERVISED NfRGISIA'S
DRAFT REGISTRATION
For number OF years he has been
attached to the First Brigade. Virginia
National Guard. as adjutant-gcncral,
with the rank OF major. When the
draft act was passed. Governor Stuart,
recognizing his superior ability for
dealing with military details. selected
him to take charge OF registration in
this State, and assigned him to duty
with the Adjutant-Generars Office.
Last summer he played an active part
in tho mobilization OF the Virginia
troops for duty on the Mexican border.
ability gained the confidence Of every
body who had connection of any kind
with the camp.
Major Wright will go to Washington
within the next week or two for Z con-
ference with the Post Office Depa tmen
relative to his duties on the commits
sion. No time has yet been set for his
severance of rcla tions with the mill
tsry forces of tho State, and no men
tion. OF course. has been made of his
probable successor to the position OF
adjutant- general to the First Brigade.
His personal staff in France will in
clude James II. Collier. cashier OF the
washington post-o office, and James
Reese. OF Norfolk, who will act in the
capacity OF stenoGraphcr.
Major Wright last night expressed
deep regret at the prospect of scvcring
his connection with the State troops.
with whom he has been bound by ties
of service for more than quarter of.
a century.
Il regret especially he said. "to
break my relations with General c. G.
Vaughan. Jr., whose unbroken friend
ship value so highly, and for whose
ability and efficiency an officer ]
have the very highest respect"