The New York herald., 1922-12-10

King of Poland in 1922 or for many
years before.-J. G. H.
That was a sample Of his Learning
and his exceptional memory, for which
he is famous. He seldom forgets a
name or a date. Other officers are
particularly impressed with the way
he readily recalls the names and faces
of all officers with whom he has
served.
Gen. Harbord is to be the president
Of the Radio Corporation OF America.
He believes this new place will afford
him an opportunity for important
constructive work looking toward the
domination of air communication by
America, and through better under
standing between the peoples of the
earth will make for more permanent
peace. Needless TO say, Gen. Harbords
services will still be at the command
of the United States Government If
they should ever be needed in an emer-
gency, for patriotism IS the controlling
motive Of his life.
Meantime he will devote his efforts
TO his new work and to laying by
competence, which is something no Of
ficer OF the army can do on his pay.
Secretary Weeks has declared his be-
lief that Gen. Harpord will prove to
be as great a leader in industry and
commerce as he has been in military
| activities.
! When young Harbord at the age Of
/ 90, only a few years out OF the public
schools Of his native town Of Bloom
! ington. Ill, and Lyon county, Kansas,
a graduate OF the Kansas State Agri-
cultural College. and with brief ex-
perience as n school teacher behind
him. sought to enter the army in 1889,
he was unable to get an appointment
| to West Point. He had no political
pull" which counted for much more
| in those days before competitive ex-
amlnations in each Congressional dis
! trict. Nothing daunted. young Har-
bord enlisted as a private and was sen:
to Spokane. Wash. He kept UP his
studies and went up rapidly through
/ the grades Of private, corporal,
sergeant and quarter1naster sergean,
/ of Company A, Fourth Infantry. He
was promoted TO second lieutenant
/ July 81, 1891, and assigned to tho
Fifth Cavalry. In 1895 he graduated
with distinction from the Infantry and
Cavalry School. He served with honor
\ and distinction in the war with Spain
and In tho Philippines.
| Gen. Harbord believes thoroughly
In the American army. He always
speaks OF the opportunity for service
10 his country which II offers 10 the
young man.
but IL q young man feels that he
can succeed In commercial life." he
/ said to me. 1T involves certain
amount OF sacrifice for him TO enter
the army. His remuneration is fixed
1 and Il is not commensurate with his
| effort or ability. We have lockstep
system OF promotion UP to the grade
of Colonel, where the selective system
begins. But the young man must
weigh tho Disadvantages with the ad-
vantages. The army pay Is enough to
| live on, and there Is the retired list,
which is supposed TO make UP for the
loss of a chance TO acquire COM
petence.
Then, too, the army affords an un-
equaled opportunity for service 70 the
man of high ideals. He is associated
with clean men, who are actuated by
tho same ideals ss himself. IL IS this
side Of the army life which so many
men like and which causes most OF
those who go into II 20 remain there
for the rest OF their lives, even with
the full realization OF what they may
have lost by not entering commercial
1 life"
Although not q west Pointer him
self Gen. Harbord has never in his
long career in the army encountered
what some persons speak OF In de-
rogatory way as "tho West Point
spirit" No West Point graduate has
ever failed 10 help him when he has
had tho chance. and Harbord never
leaned on any OF them. lie believes
| tho United States Military Academy
\ "a tho most democratic institution IN
our country. The cadets are selected
from every walk OF life. he points out
and political pull no longer has the
influence Il had in the days when he
tried to get an appointment.
BY way OF illustration OF the differ
ent financial opportunities OF an Of
/ flcer In the army and man In com.
mercial life, Gen. Harbord told Of a
dinner he attended In Chicago az the
guest OF q prominent middle Western
banker soon after the war
"ft was really q directors meeting
he said. "and tho question of increas.
ing tho salaries of three OF the vice.
presidents came up. They had asked
/ for $4,000 a year increase. and thc
chairman said he thought they ought
\ TO have $4,000 more. They compro.
missed on $4,000. Not one Of those tucr
wa. receiving lese than $4,000 yes,i
Ia salsry, which was $4,000 more thar