The Birmingham age-herald., 1918-01-01
BIRMINGHAM MAN HELD ON SERIOUS CHARGE IN CAMP Said to Have Plotted Whole sale DesertiOn to
 Mexico GEORGE KICKER TO BE COURT-MARTAILED Alleged German Sympathizer in Dixie Division Now Held Awaiting Trial-Many Cases Are
 Pending
By GEORGE W. SPARKS

Camp Wheeler, Macon, Ga, December A.-(Special)-The case of George Heck CT of Birmingham will probably receive more notice than any other to come be- fore the courtmartial board in the next few weeks. He is a German and not only is charged with assertion, but also tried to get five others to leave with him in orr der to go to Mexico. He is also charged with trying to get a German woman in Birmingham to furnish money for the ex- petition. He was recently caught in Bir- mingham and brought to Camp Wheeler, where he is now in the guard house.
 MANY CASES PENDING
 It was announced today that the gen eral courtmartial board would be ln- creased because of the big calendar be- fore the board for the next few weeks. Some of the heaviest sentences on record in national guard camp have been given here in the last few days Addi tions to the board consist of Lieutenants A. L. Sullivan, C. B. Richardson and D. W. Powell of the 11Sth field artillery, and T. w. Stone of the 116th field artillery.
 Desertion is not the only charge which cause the men to receive long sentences. Other charges being considered Private Henry Emanuel, Company A, 123d infan- try, was sentenced to five years at hard labor and a forfeit of all pay for being drunk and disgraceful in the uniform of his country while at Mobile.
 ANOTHER DIVISION PLANNED
 Although it is quite probable that it will be several months before the Dixie division will be ready to sail for France and there hurl themselves against the necks of the Boches, an intimation has already reached here of the intention of the war department as to who is to camp here after the Georgia, Alabama and Florida boys leave. It is stated that another baby division will learn to stand alone and walk in soldering at Camp Wheeler.
 The Seventh division will be here fol- lowing the departure of the Dixie boys The Seventh division is being organized at Chickamauga Park Officers there have no information as to the units that will compose it or as to who will com mand They admitted however, that the first steps toward creating another fighting machine were being taken.
 The number indicates that it will be composed of regulars, as former national guard divisions are numbered consider ably higher and the national army still higher. It is also thought here that se- lectnen from this section will be put with the regulars.
 WHEELER GIVEN COMMAND
 Mai w. P. Wheeler, formerly of the i21st infantry, and who was transferred to division headquarters to make place on the line for Maj. A. P. Gardner re- questing reduction from colonel to ma jor so that he might be in the thick of the fight, has been made commander of the 116th machine gun battalion, which includes an Alabama guard machine gun company. The other two companies of the battalion are from Qutman and Fitzgerald, Ga.
 Major Wheeler left yesterday for Fort Sill, Okla, for the school of instruction os machine gun fire, Other officers leav- ing with him are Capt. John T. McEwen, 106th ammunition train. to study fortifi- cation; Lieut. H. S. Dunn, 122d infantry, grenade work; Lieut.. c. M. Kemp, 121st infantry, bayonet course, and Lieut.. R. T. Rives, 106th field signal battalion, the laison, technical.
 SHIPPERS GRADUATE The following Alabama men have com pleted the course as snipers and observ CTS under the direction of Lieut.. A. J. Donaldson, instructor of the British army, and are now to act as instruc- tors: First Lieutenants H. T. Baker and E. B. Beall; Second Lieut.. w. A. Hewes Of the 123d infantry, Sergeants c. L. Per due, P. A. Noblin, F. w. Stevens and C. Cruce of the 123d infantry
 CONVALESCENT PATIENTS The following Alabama men were sent