Middletown transcript., 1920-05-29
now WILSON KEPT
WOOD OUT OF war
Transferred From Pillar to Post
Away FROM F Front-SteeI
: and Coal Strikes.

BY JOHN g. HOLME,
Author Of "The Life Of Leonard WOOD" "
| Will
The attitude taken by the admins
tration in Washington toward Leonard
Woods preparedness campaign Is q
familiar subject to all Americans to-
day. The administration did not ap-
| prove Of Wood, nor of his work. No
one knew this better than the General
himself, and he pursued his course
with open eyes, knowing full well that
the Commander in Chief Of the Army
and Navy, President Wilson. frowned
on his efforts. Wood deliberately jeo-
partlized his own career, his chances
for whatever glory their might be gain
ed In the great war toward which the
nation was heading. Therefore, no
motive could have been ascribed for
his noble efforts. except the one Of
intense patriotism.
In August 1915, Lindley. NJ. Gar
rison, then Secretary Of War, savagely
rebuked Wood for inviting the late
Theodore Roosevelt to speak before
the Plattsburgh officers camp. Roose-
Welt said nothing in his address before
the officers in criticism Of the admins
,tration, but later in the day he issued
statement criticising Wilson's note
writing. This he did at the Platts-
burg railway station way outside
the camp. The whole press of the
country came to General Woods aid.
denouncing Garrison for his action.
Immediately after the war was de-
clared, Wood wrote and personally de-
Iivered two letters, one to the Adjutant
General Of the Army and the other to
the Chief of Staff, asking for service
abroad. He never received reply
from either official, but few days lat
er, the Department of the East, which
he commanded, was divided into three
small departments, Wood was relieved
of his office and transferred to Charles
ton, S. c., headquarters OF the ne"
Southeastern Department.
While in Charleston, Wood laid out
plans for eleven large National Army
Camps, and three officers training
camps He was then transferred to
Camp Funston, Kansas, where he train
ed the Eighty-ninth and the Tenth
Divisions.
This kicking Of Wood from pillar to
post had double effect it brought on
the administration an avalanche OF
criticism and 1t enhanced Woods pop.
ularity. The State Of Kansas made
him an honorary citizen through
proclamation by Governor Capper.
In November, 1917, General Wood
was sent to France to observe military
operations at the front as were all
general officers in charge Of training
camps. While watching French artil-
lery at work on January q, 1918, he
was severely wounded by shell which
burst inside a French gun, the whole
gun crew being killed. General Wood
recovered rapidly and returned to the
United States, where he passed the
severe physical examination for army
officers destined for overseas service.
General Wood accompanied the
Eighty-ninth Division, which he had
trained, to New York for embarka-
ton, expecting to command 1t In
France. On arriving in, New York,
May 25, 1918, he received telegram
from Secretary Of War Baker, re-
lieving him of his command. The
press unsparingly flayed the admins
tration for this display Of meanness
of spirit. However, Wood was sent
back to Funston. No one has ever
heard him speak one word Of protest
against this shameful treatment. He
continued to work night and day for
victory, training troops, aiding the
country in every way he could. In his
campaign speeches Of late, he has time
and again stated his refusal to criticise
the Democratic administration. Let the
Republicans do better than the Demo
Gratis is his slogan. He had the Tenth
Division ready for overseas service
when the armistice was signed.
After the armistice, Wood was as
signed to the command of the Central
Department with headquarters in Chi
cago where he still is. OF late several
notable events have taken place illus
trating his strong capability for pub
lie service.
About a year ago he organized the
Chicago bureau for finding employ
ment for returning soldiers. This or
ganization became the model for the
Federal bureau.
He was called upon to quell the race
riot in Omaha, and to restore and main
tain law and order in Gary, Indiana.
and in the West Virginia coal fields dur
ing the steel and coal strikes. This
Wood did without firing shot. More
over, his attitude toward the strikers
in Gary and in the coal fields was so
fair and impartial as to win the com.
mendation of the labor leaders. The
strikers were allowed to strike and
picket in orderly fashion, and the
workers were allowed to work. Wood
took no sides. He merely kept order
He said he found nearly one hnn-
dred per cent of the strikers loyal
Americans, who earnestly believed
they were fighting for their rights. He
did not compromise with the REDS" a,
Gary. He arrested them.
There are few men in this land who
can point to life of more distinguish.
ed public service than Leonard Wood,
as doctor, soldier, administrator and
business executive. A man of few
words and big deeds, he typifles the
best this nation has to offer. Roose-
welt once said Of him: "His rise has
been astounding, and it has been due
purely to his own striking qualifca-
tions and striking achievements"
(The end.)