Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1922-06-06
BIGGEST FIGHT YET
IS SFACEDBY MAJOR
Holds Court-Martial Verdict a
Victory, but Fears Board
Of Examiners
HITS CLASSIFICATION PLAN

Although hc scored what is generally
admitted throughout army circles as n
victory whcr he vas cXoncratcd on two
charges absence without leave and
making false official Natcmcnts--and
FOUND guilty. with the penalty of los
Ing fifty merits on tho promotion list
OF officers for tho writing of his famous
Prussianism letter 10 President
Harding. Major Malcolm Wheeler Nirh.
olson now has even n moro bitter bat.
tic on his hands.
His court martial trial at Camp Dix
which attracted wide attention because
Of his attacks on the present regular
army system. concluded last night. The
further struggle on his part to keep
from being oustcd from the service was
revealed this morning when he was
asked for his statement concerning the
outcom" OF his trial.
1.-THE verdict of the board was on.
tirely TO my satisfaction he said.
II have no complaint whatcvet to
u.
In my judgment have been vindicatcd
Tor writing TO the President.
But my hardest fight is yet 10 come.
when l am called to Boston to appear
before the Board Of Examiners who
placed me in Glass r. 1t is this very
thing which am trying to have abol.
ished because 1t is nothing more than a
convenient way of the clique holding
their friends in the service and casting
out those who have incurred their dis.
pleasure.
Glass System Perverted
The system Of classes was adopted
during the war as q means of wedding
out the mentally and morally unfit Of
fcers. Its original intent cannot be
criticized. But officers who compose
the board are now using it to keep their
friends in the service and throw out
the undcsirablcs. even though tho latter
are, in numerous instances. more ca
pable and Efficient
The varied career of Major Nichol-
son is attested to by glance at his
service record Recognized as an un-
usually intelligent officer and an au-
thority on cavalry and army tactics.
he has seen service all over the world
since his appointment as a lieutenant in
19l2. He was in the Philippine cam
paigns and along the Mexican border.
where he was commended for his work
In training troops.
Following the collapse of the Rus
sian Army he was recommended to
handle Russian affairs here, but re-
,Sceived orders to sail for France in
stead. During the war be served in
Siberia with the japanese General Staff
and following the armistce was sent
TO Paris. where he superintendent the
disbursement of millions OF francs for
the War Rtparations Commission.
tachment which salvaged the torpedocd
Tuscan!a of the coast Of Scotland. an
Undertaking which nearly cost the lives
OF the party.
Author OF Textbooks
He has written several books on cav.
airy methods and maneuvers. one of
which Is now being used by the British
army us textbook.
The court martial board was headed
by Colonel Orrin X. Wolfe. of the First
Division. survivor Of some Of the thick
est hShting overseas. Lieutenant Colo
mel John L.. Bond. of Governors
Island. who was conncctcd with the
5ergdoll trial. was tho law member of
the board. while Lieutenant Colonel
Allan ]. Greer. Of the Sixth Field Ar
tillery. was the judge advocate.
IN the defense side was Major God j.
frey X. Fowler. OF the Twenty. sixth
infantry. acknowledged 10 be one of
the best legal minds in the army, and
to whom in part Major Nicholson at
tributes his victory.