The New York herald. [volume] (New York, N.Y.) 1920-1924, 1922-11-19
HARBORD> is TO HEAD
RADIO CORPORATION
General Slated to Succeed Per-
shing Leaves Army
Dec. 80.
ROSE FROM THE RANKS
His Career Brilliant-Weeks
and Pershing Extol His
Abilities.
ROSE FROM THE RANKS

WASHINGTON. Nov. Is (Associated
Press) Retirement from the army OF
Major-Gen. James G.. Harbord. Deputy
chief of Staff and one of the outstand-
ing American military leaders IN tne
world war. to accept the presidency o.
the Radio Corporation OF America was
announced to-day by Secretary WEEKS
lie win be succeeded in Washington by
Major-Ccn. John L. Hines. now COM
handing the Eighth Corps Area.
Gen. Hartford joined the army In lses
as a private lie rose through every
grade from private to Major-General.
The road to the office OF Chief OF stan
was cleared for him by special act OF
Congress because OF his great ability.
Gen. Harbord's retirement becomes eff
fective December g and he will take up
his new duties January ]. He had been
selected to succeed Gen. Pershing as
'hief>of Staff on the latters retirement.
and Secretary Weeks said In his formal
announcement that the loss to the active
forces of the army through Gen. Har-
bords separation from the service can
not be adequately expressed"
None Better in Army.
I'VE have not had in our military ser"
vice or in our Government service in any
capacity a man of higher qualities or one
who has inspired in others greater de-
gree of confidence" said the War Secre-
tary. 1.-THE business he will enter Is In
its infancy and 1t will offer full scope
for his abilities That he will prove HIM
self a great leader in industry and COM
nercial affairs seems as certain to me
as his great leadership in military ac-
tivities | have an acute sense OF per-
sonal loss IN his going. His ability and
loyalty have been of vital Importance to
me In administering the affairs of the
War Department"
In his letter to Secretary Weeks, APP
plying for retirement. Gen. Hartford
pointed out that he had been on active
service for thlrty-three years, having
enlisted on January 10. 1889. with con-
tinuous service since enlistment more
than sixteen years Of such service being
abroad"
whenever occasion has offered dur
ing nearly thirty-four year OF service"
Gen. Harbord's letter went on. II have
been an advocate of opportunity for the
younger men of the army. At this time
Of elimination by Congressional action
Of hundreds of officers from the career
to which they have dedicated them
selves. I feel that my retirement. thus
saving some man to the army who
would otherwise be lost to It and afford
ing promotion to younger officers for
whom / step aside, is but consistent"
Gen. Hartford has had the offer from
the radio corporation under considera-
ton for almost year. His acceptance
was opposed by Secretary Weeks ana
other officials. including Gen. Pershing,
who tonight made this statement:
''I feel that l am voicing the views of
the entire army In expressing Keen
regret that Gen. Hartford has de-
cided to go into civil lie. His dis
tinguished services abroad and through
out his life need not be recourted az
they are well known 70 all Americans.
1--WE shall miss him in our councils.
We wish him the greatest success in his
pfw career. and / predic: that his I'M
usual experience as an organizer. adj
ininistrator and executive or great
enterprises. will insure his success In
the business world"
Even higher praise Of Gen. Harbord's
Qualities was voiced by Gen. Pershing
n the following endorsement made on
Z, routine efficiency report concerning
the retiring officer:
"a superior officer in all respects
able. efficient, loyal His ability as a
commander is without Limitation. Has
q most thorough knowledge OF both
staff and command duty. The ablest
officer know"
Cen. Pershing. on his assignment to
command the troops in France. chose
Gen. Hartford as his first ala. making
him Chief OF Staff. Gen. Harbord was
then put In command Of the Marine
brigade. training Il and teaching II at
Belleau Wood. where the Second Divi-
zion stopped the German drive toward
Paris in 1918. lie took command OF
,he Second Division and led it In the
scissor offensive. With command OF an
american corps and later Of an Ameri-
can Army almost a certainty in his
future. Gen. Harbord for the welfare OF
the army in France. acquiesced In an
assignment by Gen. Persning putting
him over the urgent task OF reorganiz-
ing the service of supply behind the
American lines. He performed this task
with brilliant efficiency.
lie was recommended by Gen. Perish
ing and Secretary Baker for the grade
of Lieutenant-General. but as he had
not commanded a corps this elevation
was denied him.
In the radio corporation he will sue
coed Edward J. Nally. who has been
appointed managing director OF Inter
national relations of the corporation and
who will make his headquarters in Paris.