Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1918-02-06
MAJOR MILLER'S PROMOTION.


Editorial Editor:--The bone OF con-
tention of your editorial slant at MAJOR
Thomas w. Miller, Of the Aviation Corps,
u. s. A., in the editorial, why Major
Millcr?" in issue OF January 30, IS that he
hrs been promoted over men who enlist
ed primarily in our National Guard, and
who were estoppcd in their line OF de-
served promotion "by Lieutenant Millers
rapid advancement.
This statement is untrue and mlsead-
ing. Neither in the First Delaware In
fantry of the old National Guard, the
One Hundred and Fourteenth Infantry OF
the reorganized National Guard, nor IN the
Regular Army, has the officers promotion
been hindrance TO the deserved pro-
motion" of other men in these units.
"Thc men behind him" have at all
times had every chance of advancement
AND many of them, who, like himself dem
onstrated their ability, have won adj
vancement. At the time of the organiza-
tion Of the First Delaware Infantry as
complete regiment of three battalioDs,
Major Miller threw all his strength into
the campaign to secure the needed re-
cruits At this time Major Miller's health
had been impaired as the result of nm
operation yet he was nightly foundon the
various street corners OF Wilmington
and vicinity making a strenuous appeal
10 the young men To join their home regl-
ment
Following the reorganization al Camp
Mcclellan. Major Miller filled the i'm
portant ofhce Of assistant adjutant OF the
Onc Hundred and Fourteenth Infantry,
10 which he had been assigned, and at
, many times WAS called upon TO assume the
responsibilities of adjutant. In tins
, capacity he won the respect Of mis- superior
Otricers, not only in his regiment, but
throughout the Twenty-ninth Division.
| On hikes aud at drill Major Miller showed
his adaptibilty TO the task OF handling
| large bodies OF men.
Cne Of the qualities that makes a
successful officer is the degree tn which he
wins the respect and confidence Of the men
| either directly under him or associated
| with him IN regiment, company or other
| unit In this respect MAJOR Miller made
| good A man always felt that he could
approach the lieutenant knowing that
/ whatever the occasion, ne would receive a
| hearing and would be treated with far
| ness that bespoke close interest.
The officers and men of the Pioneer
i Regiment Of Infantry were surprised
| when they learned OF Lieutenant Miller s
4 1ttFfkitAi ~ = fAfhiAih fA1i8 49,
! Of them wished him we'll. The added
/ honor which mas been conferred on him
has been especially pleasing to them.
| Tie lieutenant has the quality Of making
/ friends with the Younger men, the same
JqulIity which won for him a most oil ad-
| fnircrs among officials and friends at
! Washington and at home
The former Congressman and Secretary
| Of State, now MAJOR, in one Of the most
| important branches of America fighting
forces, carries with him the well wishes
| Of every officer and man IN his former
regiment They do not doubt he will DC
credit to his country and state and TO the
First Delaware Infantry.
His promotion, instead of being Z
f., hindrance to advancement, Is an example
/ and an encouragement 10 others. There
il vet great need for officers in all branches
Of the service, and every young man wht
has the qualities and Is capable OF asslrn
t ing the responsibilities will have his chance
! Criticism of this sort can DO no good, D
| has no merit and will make no appeal tC
fair-rninded citizens Of Delaware. Alalo
Miller viii make good and Delaware vii
| be proud of him.
Phil y 4. Steinback.
Headquarters Pioneer Regiment Of In
fantry, Camp Dix, \. j., February I
/ 1918