Americus times-recorder., 1919-10-22
SOUTHER FIELD
TO BE- LEFT ALLl
But DESERTED
More Officers VIII Go Al
Once-Men To Be Cut
To Four.

| With the discharge of five officers,
the resignation of one and the trans
fer of another, Souther Field will be
reduced to total of seven officers,
effective not later than next Monday.
The camp is also under orders to
be reduced from an enlisted person
mel of 81 men, the number now at the
camp, to four, consisting of three
rrivates and non commissioned of
ticer. The date for carrying this or
der into effect, however, has not been
issued.
This was the information obtained
today from the officers at Southe
Field. 1t was said that the order
transferring practically all of the en-
listed men was believed certain to be
put into effect sooner or later, and
along with it probably would come
an order transferring several of the
remaining handful of officers.
"Souther Field is to be left bone
dry, apparently was the way one
officer expressed himself. However,
it was said, othar flying fields are
ssaaer similar orders,
The discharge of the half dozen Off
GERS set for not later than next Mon
day, is in compliance with orders is
sued few weeks ago from the Air
Service headquarters at Washington.
1t takes from the army some of the
best men remaining in the air service
and at the same time some of the old
est active men in the army organiza-
tion-old time regulars, who have
done little else except military duty
during their adult life.
Not Picked BY Commanders.
The selection of the list was not
left to the commanding officers of
the various posts, bu to the contrary,
commanding officers were ordered, in
connection with the submission of
the lists for discharge from the va
rious posts not to make any effort to
have the lists revised. Which order
has led to the belief, at least among
some of the men slated for discharge
against their desires, that politics in
Washington had something to do with
the making up of the lists for reten-
ton and for discharge.
/ Only one change in the original
discharge lists sent to Souther Field
is said to have been made, and that
concerned Major E. S. Schofeld, sec
ond ranking officer at the field. Major
Schofeld has been in the army for
many years, formerly being in the
cavalry, and later a master signal
electrician, the highest non-commis-
stoned office in the army. When the
expansion of the army took place with
the entry of America into the war,
he was given his commission. For
several months, from the time of the
establishment here of the aviation
general supply depot he was in charge
of it as commanding officer. When it
was merged with Souther Field he
was transferred into the general air
service. Major Schofield is under
stood to have taken his appeal for re-
tention in the service direct to Wash
ington, and as result his name has
been stricken from the list for dis
charge.
Old Army Men To Go.
Among the officers who are to be
discharged next Monday are First
Lieut.. James Carey, who has been in
charge of the detachment at Souther
Field, and Second Lieut.. Percy Whit
ney, post quartermaster, both regu-
lar army men of long standing, who
will now be sent back to civil life, and
if they wish to continue in the army,
must each re-enlist in the regular
force, where they might be given
non-commissioned ranks.
The other men slated to leave the
service by Monday are Second Lieu
tenants Wallace T. Clark, depot sup
/ ply and disbursing officer, and j. D.
Brennan, maintenance officer.
Of the officers listed for retention
one, E. A. Burgtorf, engineer officer
has already resigned. Another, Rob
ert Cronau, assistant depot officer
has been transferred to Dorr Field
Arcadia, Fla, from which he came
! in midsummer. This leaves the fol
! lowing list of officers who will be al
, Souther Field af2r Monday:
Lieut.. Colonel Ira A. RAIDER, com
, manding officer.
: Major E. S. Schofeld, executive Of
e fcer.
8 Lieut.. A. B. McMullen.
Lieut.. Perry w. BHackler'
: Lieut.. w, B. Warde.
4 Lieut.. John Wya :, post adjutant.
Lieut.. R. D. Henderson, post sur