Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1919-01-19
DICKMAN PLANS
NO CHANGES AT
SOUTHER FIELD

Col. Frederick L. Dickman. the rav,
commanding officer, who arrived e.
Americus and took charge of the post
Friday, relieving Major Carlisle u
wash Colonel Dickman came dIrsct
from washington, where he was doing
o6ace work in the air service
Il had no special information fror.
Headquarters relating to Souther EYa,a
before I left Washington" said he yea.
&ersay, and do not know lust wbat
che governments intentions are IN
fact, the policy as regards the psrma.
nency Of the flying fields OF the coun-
FRY has not yet been formulated NV
whole information think the people
OF Americus already have. OF the a7
dying fields of the country ABBOTT 20
are being shut down for the winter.
Because of the stopping of enlisttnents
and the small number of cadets left
for training.
Il have come to take charge of
Souther Field because Major Wash
was wanted at Dayton, O., for a spec
ial kind OF ground work in which
he is experienced, His old colonel
knew what he could do and asked for
him to be assigned there. That is the
reason Major Wash was taken from
Americas. Then, too, as fast as pos
sible officers OF the rank of colonel
will be put in charge of these various
aviation posts, and organizations OF
the regular army maintained in peace
time established. There has been a
scarcity of officers of this rank and
higher since the war began, most of
those above majors being either in
executive positions in Washington or
in France. Lately number of them
who have been in executive service
have learned or are learning to fly and
are being given commands, with ma
jors under them.
II am expecting in day or two
Major VIM. Butts, who has been as
signed to Souther Field. Major Butts
has been at Mineola, l. l., one of the
largest flying fields of the country. He
has been ill recently and has been ad-
vised to seek a mild climate. Hence
his assignment to this post. He will
probably be made executive officer.
Asked about the headquarters or
ganization at Souther Field under his
command Col. Dickman stated that
he contemplated no reorganization,
but declared there would be a number
of changes, in all probability, because
so many of the officers were being dis
charged or transferred.
THE post personnel is to be cut TO
about 200 enlisted men and 10 ON
GERS" said he, which means that
nearly all of those now here Will
leave. About fifty of the lieutenantS
now at the post have signitied their
intention of remaining in the regular
army service. This means that IN ad-
dition to those discharged, some forty
officers will have to be transferred
Some of these transfers are already
taking place. The reduction Will take
place gradually, however, the men anu
officers being allowed to go only as
they can be spared"
Colonel ickman stated that the OF
ders for the transfer of the 80 ca
diets at Souther Field, which had been
awaited by Major Wash ever since Ihe
original reduction order arrNeu'
reached the post Friday morning anu
was the last official order handled by
Major Wash before turning over Ihe
most The men were instructed 10 re-
mort to Kelley Field, San Antonio Tex"
to complete their training.
Colonel Dickman and Mrs. DichnlAn
will reside at the post in the quar-
ters erected on the reservation for tne
commanding officer.
at is contemplated by the govern.
ment that the commanding officer sn"ii
reside on the grounds" said he anu
although the place is small l Sil"i
live there"
Colonel Dickman stated that the Oh
mits to SO years of age, is much m0i0
youthful appearing than that ne %
NJ middle height and a born solu''''
the son of Major General DlcKinah
commander of the American army u
occunation in France. This is ms
first command of an army post ms
has never lived in this part Oh Inv
South before, but was stationed 10.
four wears with the 18th cavalry a.
n orletborpe few years ago. MOI
long ago he completed his flying course
~ san Antonio. He is West Polh'
-, - faw wears ago was