The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-05-08
MONTGOMERY HAS
Continued from Par. One,

department to wear a captains uni
form. He is not in the federal ser |
vice. He is not attached to any branch
of the federal army service. He is not
in any branch of the reserves. I'm
der a seeming verbal or misplaced
formal order from some branch OF
the state service, he is said to claim
authority to wear a uniform on spe-
cial occasion" The special occasion"
authorization from the past or pre-
generals office seems to have COW
cred the wearing of a uniform at all
times, under all circumstances and on
all occasions. In the case of the
army regulations permits the use OF
service uniforms on such specia! oc-
casions as military parades, reviews,
inspection or encampment.
That large chunks of politics en-
tered into the Montgomery case, is one
reported that claims have been made
that a political pull entered strongly
into Montgomery's advancement TO a
national guard captaincy. Many To-
pekans, men in active military service,
and persons over the state who be-
came familiar with the case, are said
to have protested against the action
which permitted Montgomery to wear
a uniform.
A Political Worker.
Several weeks ago federal depart
ments in Washington sent kilograms
to the adjutant generals office IN,
curing as to Montgomery political
activities. One report was to the eff
feet that Montgomery had made
political speeches. This claim was
doubtless considerably overdrawn.
Reports which have been current in
ever, 1re to the effect that as a clerk
in the selective draft department,
Montgomery pulled many rather
clever and adroit political plays. These
actions, it is asserted, were not tended
to cripple Governor Capper's can
didacy for the United States senate.
In connection with his clerical po-
sition, Montgomery wrote hundreds OF
letters to farmers in all sections of the
state concerning the induction of their
sons in army service. Many OF the
requests for exemption are said to
have come to Governor Capper'S Of
flee In scores of cases the letters did
not reach the governor personally. but
were sent to Montgomery for reply.
The answer which Montgomery is said
to have made was to the effect that
while the governor took a very deep
personal interest in the case and be-
lived boys on the farm should be ex-
empted or placed in deferred classifi-
cations. that the governor was power
less to act.
MONTGOMERY is also said to have en-
couraged many people who talked
with him concerning the draft that
they had the governors most earnest
sympathy and good will. The govern
or would like to aid these men. Mont
gomery is said to have stated. but
army regulations prohibited his inter
ference.
Not Courteous to Ladies.
Nor was politics the only matter
which brought criticism of Montgom-
ery's activities in an army uniform.
Last winter Montgomery is said to
have visited the offices of the district
board in the Smith building, where
number of lady clerks and stenograph-
ers were working. 1t had been noted
that he failed to lift his cap or dis
play common courtesies in speaking
to these young women. When the
matter was called to his attention, he
is reported to have retorted that an
officer in the United States army
didn't have to lift his hat" And
Montgomery stood on his military
rights.
Later when a girl in the depart
| ment visited her home in another city,
he deducted from her pay check a
| full days pay for her Sunday absence.
Yet employees of the department were
! not compelled to work Sundays. These
and other reports of arrogance and
asserted power and authority, brought
complaints of Montgomery's actions
As a clerk in the selective draft
| service, Montgomery has drawn
salary of 500 a month from the gov
eminent. He has also received an ad-
ditional salary of SIS a month from
the state. He is carried on the state
pay roll as a stenographer, altho his
entire service is said to have been in
connection with the federal draft
Friends of Montgomery have as
serted that they will make an effort
| to have his uniform restored upon the
theory that the state department may
authorize the wearing Of the uniform
at all times even tho the country is
| at war.
Friends Pull for Him.
| Records in the Montgomery case
were collected in Topeka by the special
| investigator from the department of
| justice. 1t is not known in Topeka
what course the department may take
Following the removal of the Uniform
Fred s. Robertson, United States dis