Arizona republican., 1918-01-08
CHANGES IN ARMY
 AFFECT DETROIT
By Il. C. BRApFIELn


 Brlg. Gen. Charles E. Wheeler. U. S A., chief of ordnance. Those having a personal knowledge of Gen. Wheeler hls army record and ability, can throw their hats in the air and yell "Hurrah.'' For Secretary of War Newton D. Baker made some appointments the past week that will meet with general favor especially in his selection or Major General George W. Goethals as quartermaster-g general and General Wheeler as chief of ordnance.
 Both appointments are of interest to the motor car and allied industries, for a large number of contracts from these departments will go to Detroits automobile and allied manufacturers. Business interests and business men in general should say a lot of nice things In little while about the new chief or ordnance, whose business ability wlt appeal to them. No one can ever apply the term fossil" to General Wheeler.
 With Major General Goethals as guartermaster- general, Brigadier Gen oral Wheeler IS ordnance chief Major General George O. Squier as chief sig nal officer, Major General William NJ hlack. chief of engineers. four depart ments of the army are in good hands.
 
 way was associated with General Wheeler when he was a major and lieutenant colonel, and General Black when he was a colonel The public knows General Goethals and what he has done. General Squier's work thus far speaks in glowing terms of his efficiency
 4 West Pointer
 It was my good fortune to know General Wheeler when he was in com mand of the Watertown (Mass) arsenal. For a long time I saw. then, Major Wheeler on an average of twice week. Nothing in my newspaper career gave me greater pleasure than when | travelled from Boston to Wat ertoNn to see him. Here is a man from whom | gained much knowledge, with whom it was pleasure to talk and who was never too busy to give one an audience. And part of the time Major Wheeler was in charge of the arsenal when they were manufac- turing gun carriages for the largest type Of coast defense guns.
 General Wheeler is a comparatively young man and very active. He was horn in Illinois. but received his ap- uointment to the West Point military ateademy from Minnesota. His army record shows him to have been always in charge of important work
 Last spring General Ohen ColoneU Wheeler was ordered to the office of the chief of ordnance in Washington IS inspector of arsenals | visited him there. In one large room. where every inch of space was taken up with desks 7hd tables, quartering. besides the col mel. other officers and clerks. Colonel Wheeler had his desk. For so impor- tant 2. duty I wondered how he was 'hle 10 do his work efficiently and Still maintain his smile. But Genera Wheeler is typical army officer who secured his present post on merit ant ability. And when his country needed every bit of efficiency in him, wher they were to tax him to the utmost tbere he was. cheerfully. as always giving his best to the nation.
 SIashes Red Tape
 He has a host of friends wherever he has served. on the federal reserva- tions and in the surrounding environ. ments. He is an excellent executive: kind but firm, quick to grasp situa tions, stanch for the truth and capable of handling big things.
 Those who will now have to dea with General Wheeler in his new DOS will find that their relationship vii always be business like and efficien ipsofar as the general is concerned He will never play politics He vii not have to. His record and abilit, will have to be his excuse for servin, his country as it's chief ordnance officer
 General Wheeler knows shop prac tices. ordnance, costs and modern bus mess. Not only theoretically, bu rom practical knowledge. There vii be no waste of time in the office of tn chief of ordnance. A cheerful smil always greets visitors. but woe an, betide anyone who misjudges tha smile. It is the smile of a gentleman who sreets you courJeously. but must not be mistaken. He will talk he shortest route between two points eliminating red tape, and his iudgmen . s respected.
 Secretary of War Baker has give Q the nation an excellent Christina present in the appointments of Genera +oethals and General Wheeler. Tn whole country will thank this cabine officer later on for his choice. Tn service will also benefit. for there ar large number Of good men in tn army who will recognize that thei ability will be singled on, and the will he advanced accordingly.