Great Falls tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1921-current, 1922-11-19
GEN. HARDORD QUITS
ARMY To HEAD GREAT
RADIO CORPORATE
Ranked Next to Pershing, With
33 Years of Military
Service.

Washington, Nov. 1S-(By The AS
sociated Press) Retirement from the
army of Major General James G. Har
board, deputy chief of staff and one of
the outstanding American military lead
ers in the world war, to accept the
presidency of the Radio Corporation Of
America. was announced Saturday by
Secretary Weeks He will be succeed
ed in Washington by Major General
John J.. Hines, now commanding the
eighth corps army.
General Harbord's retirement be-
comes effective December %, and he
will take up his new duties January j.
He had been selected to succeed Gen
eraI Pershing as chief of staff on the
latter's retirement and Secretary
Weeks said in his formal announcement
that the loss to the active forces of
the army through General Harbords
separation from the service cannot be
adequately expressed"
Praised by Weeks
"We have not had in our military
service or in our government service m
any capacity a man of higher qualities
or one who has inspired in others a
greater degree of confidence" said the
war secretary. THE business he will
enter is in its infancy and it win offer
full scope for his abilities That he
will prove himself great leader in in
dustrial and commercial affairs seems
as certain to me as his great leadership
in military activities
In his letter to Secretary Weeks,
applying for retirement, General Har-
bord pointed out that he had been on
active service for 33 years, Having en-
listed on January 10. 1889, with con
tinuous service since enlistment, over
Is years of such service being abroad.
"Whenever occasion has offered dur
ing nearly "a years of service" Gen
eral Harbords letter said. II have been
an advocate of opportunity for the
younger men of the army.
'At this time of elimination by con-
gressional action of hundreds of Off
GERS from the career to which they
have dedicated themselves, / feel that
my retirement. thus saving some man
to the army who would otherwise be
lost to it, and affording promotion to
younger officers for whom ] step aside,
is but consistent"
Pershing Makes Statement
General Harbord has had the offer
from the radio corporation under con-
sideration for almost year. His ac-
ceptance was opposed by Secretary
Weeks and other officials, including
General Pershing, who Saturday night
made this statement: @
II feel that | am voicing the views
of the entire army in expressing keen
regret that General Harbord has de-
cided to go into civil life. His distin-
guished services abroad and throughout
his life need not be receunted, as they
are known to all Americans"
Called Able Officer
Even higher praise of General Har-
bords qualities was voiced by General
Pershing in the following Endorsement
made on routine efficiency report
concerning the retiring officer:
"A superior officer in all repsects-
able, efficient, loyal. His ability as
commander is without limitation. Has
most thorough knowledge Of both
staff and command duty. The abiest
officer ! know"
General Harbords determination to
bo back to civil life brings to d close a
striking military career that began in
the ranks of company A, Fourth infan-
try, in 1889. Since then he has passed
through every grade the army knows
from private to major general, and was
recommended for lieutenant generaicy
in France. To carry out his conception
of his duty TO his fellow officers he now
is laying aside the certainty of sue
ceeding General Pershing as chief of
staff on the army and the strong prob
ability of receiving higher rank. The
CONTINUED on Page Ninel