Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1919-08-20
ONLY TEMPORARY,
ASSERTS CRISP
Tell Chamber Men Are
Being Moved Near
Mexican Line.

OAA~@E~ WOAC ICSS1fCN llllS
by telegraph from Washington by
Coonel Ira A. RAIDER, commanding of
ficer at Souther Field, instructing
him to hold up. for the present the or
der sent last week for the transfer
of the bulk of the enlisted personnel
at the field to Ellington Field, Hous-
ton, Tex. The instructions stated
that the order would be modified"
but gave no intimation as to what
form the modification would take.
Colonel RAIDER is now awaiting a new
order.
II am at a loss to know just what
is contemplated" said Colonel RAIDER.
''It may be that the new instructions
will order more men transferred than
the original, or few men may be sent.
However, I should receive word in a
day or two as to just what is coming"
The original order called for the
transfer tomorrow of 121 men and
one officer, leaving ony 26 enlisted
men at .Souther Field for the pres
ent- Since it was issued, however,
Influences have been at work in
Washington to have the order chang
ed so as to retain Souther as an ac-
tive post instead of being complete
ly or almost completely closed down,
as would be the case if the order
went through unchanged. How
ever, it is yet uncertain as to wheth-
er these. efforts have been of avail.
Shut Down Temporary.
The Chamber of Commerce today
received a letter from Congressman
Chas. R. Crisp on the Souther Field
situation, in which Judge Crisp as
sures .Americus that the shutting
down of the field is only temporary,
and that, as it is necessary to close
some of the several fields, those near
the Mexican border are being retain
ed as active at this time. Following
is the text of his letter:
"Americus Chamber of Commerce,
Americas, Ga. Gentlemen
'NThis morning | saw Executive Of
fcer of the Air Service relative to
Sonther Field. He advised me taht
owing to the reduced size of the ar
my that the air service was ony
allowed by the General Staff eleven
| thousand men. With this small
number it was necessary to coneen-
trate the activities of the Bureau
and the Government decided to OPP
crate them near other army activi-
ties as it could be done more eco
nomically and advantageously for
the service. That, after consider
ing everything, it was decided to con-
tinue the camps ass active those
nearest the Mexican border.
'For the present Sorther Field is
temporarily closed, but the Govern
ment has so idea of abandoning it.
was advised that the Bureau is hop
ing to get an appropriation to au-
thorize enlarged activities, but if
they fail in this then the question
will have to be taken as 10 what
camps will be actively used.
To Maintain Depot.
"The Supply Depot at Amegicus
will be maintained and a number of
civilian employees will be kept to look
after the property. / was advised
that two flights day would be al
lowed so as to keep the officers who
remain there in practice.
GAS I have publicly stated in
speeches and otherwise, I opposed the
policy of reducing the approprat tionss
for air service and am working, and
will continue to work, to have adj
ditional appropriations made for this
Government activity.
"Yours very sincerely,
CHAS. R. CRISP.
"Washinoton Auprst 15U