New-York tribune., 1917-07-27
Politics and Commissions
Where Aptitude Failed Campaign
Contributors We're Rewarded
To the Editor of The Tribune.

To the Editor of The Tribune.
Sir: I was very much interested in the
letter from your correspondent, "Pro Patria'
dated July IA and published in your issue
of July II, anent the examination OF apph-
cants for commissions in the army. would
like to trespass upon your valuable space
to small extent to recte my own case.
am an architect, an ex-officer in the Ma
tional Guard, with fair amount OF engi-
reering experience, having taught engineer
ing for some twelve-odd years IN one
of the foremost architectural schools IN
the country, and | am the author OF
several chapers in the revised hidder
Architectural Hand Book" | was a pupil
in the architectural section OF the Ecole des
Beaux-Arts in Paris for five years, during
which time, being obliged to support myself
while following my studies, | worked IN
architectural Offices in Paris, and so became
thoroughly familiar with all the various
methods and intricacies of French architect
ural practice. / speak French and English
as nearly interchangeably as | suppose it is
possible for any grown person to speak TWO
languages, having spoken French huentIy
from my earliest childhood, even before 60
ing to the school in Paris.
These qualifications, it would seem to me,
should eminently fit me for commission IN
the Engineer Corps, and if | were sent to
France to superintend the construction OF
the large number of cantonments which VIII
be necessary to house our expedluonary
army | could make myself exceedingly use
full 10 the government. | am, however
fifty-fve years Of age, and when ! made my
application for examination for commls-
sion and laid my various qualifications be-
fore the War Department, | was politely
but firmly informed that | was past the age
for officers that were to be sent to the front,
although in the pink of condition and not
withstanding the fact that made it quite
Plain in my application that I fully realized
I was too old to become a combatant officer.
In one of the prominent clubs here IN
New York there appeared one evening before
meeting of members a young engineer
officer who made a very strong plea for
older men to come forward and volunteer
for commissions. He pointed out that II
would not be safe to intrust troops to gen.
eral officers of the age of the young men
who were studying at Plattsburg friend
of mine, who is at least seventy years OF
age, is now in France with General PershinGs 3
force as an interpreter, although MS
knowledge of French is far from being as
complete as my own. But he is cousin OF
a very influential young millionaire whose
family has contributed literally TO the DEM
ocratic campaign chest
Another man whom | know, although some
sixty-seven years Of age, has been lately
appointed a major, if / am not mistaken, IN
the Quartermaster's Department, although
he has never, to my knowledge, had any
military experience But he is a Demo-
cratic ex-Congressman and also man OF
considerable wealth who has always done
his bit" in the past by contributing hber-
ally to the Democratic campaign funds.
These are only two instances which come to
nv mind at the present moment; but | am
sorry TO say that fear they could be null
tlplied almost indefinitely.
II does seem a shame that in this war,
which is a very serious matter, politics
should be allowed to play the part it seems
to be playing in Washington just now.
And it does not seem right that men like
myself. possessing special aptitude, who are
not only willing but anxious to serve their
country in its emergency, are turned down,
while men with no particular qualifications
are given, for purely political reasons, i'm
portant and responsible posts.
have not as yet altogether abandoned my
efforts not to be a Stacker, and now
trying to bring some political influence to
bear to aid ME in my desire to help make
the "world safe for democracy"
ON-PoLITICIAN.
New York, July 81, 1917.