New Mexico state record. (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1914-19??, 1920-06-11
Restored to Their Owners.

Of the stations to private operation
tons which were closed, resulted in
an executive order of February ID,
1920. by which all stations taken W
by the government were ordered re-
stored to their owners as of midnight,
February 20, 1920. and all stations
closed were permitted to be opened
by the private wner as of that date.
The fact that for a considerable
period private enterprise had been ex-
Guided from active participation in
the business of radio communication
and the further fact hat most of the
ship-to-shore stations along the Allan
tic and Pacific coasts and on the
Great Lakes had been purchased and
were owned and operated by the navy
department. gave rise to the fear that
private enterprise would be unable to
meet adequately the communication
requirements of the present and i'm
mediate future if the navy wholly and
Immediately withdrew from the field.
nv ~ " uiSth thhi "NiSiahioh -
necessary In order to permit the facili-
ties of the navy department to be util-
lied for purely commercial and pri-
vate purposes by the shipping and
business interests Of the country.
Revising Articles Of War.
A revision Of the articles Of
war Is now under way. The
senate and house committees on mill
tary affairs are In substantial agree
ment as to the changes that shall be
made in the present articles. A bill
embOdying the proposed changes has
been reported favorably by the house
committee.
Following are the salient features of
the revision:
!. A charge must be preferred un-
der oath, by any person subject to mil
itary law.
2. Speedy but thorough and Impair
tial preliminary investigation will be
had in all cases.
8. Under the proposed revision COM
handing officers will be brought more
frequently into personal contact with
alleged offenders.
4. Disciplinary punishments, prop
erly limited, are preferred to trial.
8. Neither trial nor punishment on
trivial charges. no action by a court
when disciplinary action is sufficient,
no trial by either special or general
court-martial when an inferior court
can properly dispose OF the case.
Junior OFFICERS Affected.
G. Junior officers made subject to
disciplinary punishment as well as en-
listed men.
Z. Furnishing power of summary
courts reduced TO one month. In order
the sooner to return offenders to a
duty status.
g.. Summary and special courts pow
er of forfeiture reduced to two-thirds
Of soldiers monthly pay In order that
funds for laundry, toilet necessaries,
etc. may be available.
0. Maximum limitations OF member
ship In court in special and general
courts-martial removed, to prevent
technical reversals in some cases; not
to increase the size of courts, as quail
ity is more important than quantity.
10. All members of the various
courts to be the best available for the
duty-age. training and judicial tenn
permanent considered.
IL. Law member of general courts
martial provided.
IL. The right to counsel fully recog-
nized. Defense counsel and assistant
defense counsel. when needed, pro-
vided.
13. The oath Of the trial Judge advo-
cate is changed to insert an allegation
to faithfully and impartially perform
his duty.
IA. Provides for one peremptory
challenge for each side, the law mem
Der, however, being subject to chal-
lenge only for aus
Is. Embodies In statutory form the
existing practice requiring reference
TO a staff Judge advocate for his ac-
llon anu uuNl't Dtioit itltiiibS
charges TO n general court-martial or
on the proceedings thereof.
Unanimous Vote for Death.
10. Death sentence to require a
vote of the court.
II. For convictions other than death.
two-thirds vote instead of a majority
required.
IS. Acquittals to be announced by
the court.
10. No recommendation of acquit-
tails, and no increase of sentence on
revision or new trial.
20. Certain convictions, under reg
ulations. to be announced by the court.
q. The proposed revision author
ICES the president to prescribe limits
pf punishment in time of war as well
rs In time of peace.
90. Provisions for an adequate legal
review of all trials by general-courts-
and for effective appellate
power.
%. Provides that persons not sub
,ect TO military law. who commit acts
connection with any court-martial.
made punishable by the provisions Of
six Of the act of March 4,
1909. United States statutes at large,
hail be punished as provided In said