The Topeka state journal., 1918-10-12
Three Members of Camp Per-
sOnnel Office Advance.
Captain Elkins Is Awarded
Rank of Major.
C0NNERS IS MADE CAPTAIN
Hansen Rises From Ranks and
Gains Commission.
Are Highly Quail.
fed for Important Jobs.
BY JACK HELLMAN.

BY JACK HELLMAN.
Efficiency has been rewarded at the
camp personnel office and three MEM
bers of that organization have re-
ceived promotions in the past fort
night. The advancements include
ranks ranging from second lieutenant
to major and the splendid manner in
which the officers have handled the
affairs of the camp at the big stone
building, testifies to the indubitable
fairness and integrity of the prefer
ments. The camp personnel office
has long been known as one of the
most important institutions of the
military regimen in camp and only
the most proficient and faithful men
have been appointed to that momen-
tous post. The keynote of the or
ganization, "the right man for the
right place." has been pursued to the
letter and the sagacious selections
which have been made typifies only
the strict adherence to their motto.
Following are the names and the
advancements created of those who
have reaped the harvest Of their Ia
bors: Thomas r. Elkins, from cap
tain to major; r. N. Corners, from
first lieutenant to captain, and Her
man F. Hansen, from regimental SER
geant-major to second lieutenant. All
of the above appointees have had
more than a years experience in per-
sonnel work and are at the helm of
affairs at the big card shop" where
embryos are placed to conform with
their adaptabilities.
The rise of Major Elkins to his
present position is phenomenal, and
there are few parallels to his case in
camp. From Denver he went to Fort
Riley in August, 1917, and there at
tended the officers training camp. He
was commissioned second lieutenant
and later was detailed for special
duty at the receiving station. When
the personnel training school at Camp
Grant opened, he made application
and after attending the full term was
awarded a first lieutenancy in May,
and detailed to the adjutant generals
office here.
The transfer of Captain Julian Gist,
personnel adjutant, to Camp Nc
Arthur, Waco, Texas, which, was eff
fected last July made possible the ap-
pointment of Lieut.. Elkins to that inn
portant post. A rank of captaincy
went with the promotion. Captain
Elkins was called to Washington the
early part Of last month for tenn
porary duty at the capitol, and a few
days ago it was learned officially that
the rank of major had been bestowed
upon him. Major Elkins is the camp
personnel adjutant here, but at present
is in Washington.
Led Eventful Life.
There are few officers in the war
game who have led a more eventful
life than Captain Corners. AS a civil
engineer employed by various lumber
corporations he has travelled extern
sively in South America and Mexico,
where he exploited the sylvan districts
of those countries for mahogany and
other valuable timber. Thruout the
north, Captain Conners was known for
his ability to run down. invaluable
timber lands, and thru his uncanny
knowledge of the location of these
timber stretches, he disclosed vast ex-
panses of mahogany land that have
yielded several million dollars worth
of timber Captain Corners is also
credited with purchasing for his en-
ployers a 10000 acre stretch of val
liable mahogany land at the fabulous
sum of ten cents an acre. 1t is need
less to say the purchase was converted
into a profit of several million dollars.
At the time of the Mexican out
break Captain Corners served as ser
geant major in one of the companies
that patroled the border. He remain
ed there until the barbarous rampages
of Villas marauders subsided. When
a. declaration OF hostilities between the
| United States and the central powers
was made public, Captain Corners was
| one OF the first to enter the training
school Ter Officers at Fort SnelunS,
MINI. In August, 1917. he won a
commission as second lieutenant. He
served faithfully until June of the fol-
lowing year and. was rewarded with
the highest rank in lieutenancy.
| Faithful Work Recognized.
| His competent handling OF. the work
at the personnel office soon caught
the eye of several officers of superior
rank and he was recommended for a
promotion. On September 27. a cap
taincy was his reward for faithful and
| efficient work. During the absence
| of Major E1kins, Captain Conners is
acting personnel adjutant, and it is
J obvious to state the work is being done
| in the same smooth. cIock-like manner
as has been evident since the present
| force took a hold of things.
| 1t is interesting to note that Lieut..
Herman Hansen received his commits
sion exactly one year from the day he
enlisted. Both occurred at 10 o'clock
| in the morning, declares the erstwhile
sergeant major. There is probably not
a better liked member of the person
mel forces than Lieutenant Hanson.
| He started at the bottom, and thru.
hard work and exemplary living his
aspirations-that of being an Officer
have been gratified. And there is
not a single private or non-com in the
office who begrudges Hansen's ad-
lvancement as the boys have been