Evening star., 1923-05-13
ARMY

Voting on the question OF retention
OF the existing high-ccllared Army
uniform or recalling that pattern ana
the substitution of the roll collar
an issue that has divided Army opin-
ion into hostile camps-has been or
dered by the War Department In
QUESTIONABLE sent to chiefs OF all de-
partment branches, commanding gen.
erals of all corps areas. the second
division, the first cavalry division and
the district of Washington.
Returns from the various pre-
cincts' are being tabulated at the
adjutant generals office in a way that
will keep the final result a military
secret until the last ballot Is received
from the outlying districts Mean
while, there is much speculation
going on between the opposing fac-
tions, with leaders on both sides con-
fidently predicting victory for their
cause by an overwhelming majority.
Pending the final announcement,
however, War Department omclaiS
maintain strict silence. They VIII
not disclose even the fact Wnetner
the roll-collar advocates or the high-
collar proponents may expect the ue
partment to order any change In the
uniform as at present made. Ihe
silence Is said to be caused by finan-
cial considerations involving millions
OF dollars, which must be expended
by the officers for new clothing for
for new styles to be issued to the en-
listed men If an alteration Is MADE
in the present dress.
It Is predicted that the financial
questions involved will decidedly in
f1uence the voting ranks, particularly
in the commissioned personnel. The
ballot" is go worded as to make 1t
impossible for voter not to consider
the monetary aspects of the issue be-
fore him.
3he "ballot" reads in part:
Should a dress uniform (blue) be
adopted for officers and enlisted men
In case the cost if prohibitive for
enlisted men, should dress uniform
(blue) be adopted for officers only:
Should the present service coat be
changed for officers and enlisted men
by adopting the roll collar?
Should the olive drab collar and
olive drab tie be worn with the roll
collar coat, or should the white col
lar and black tie be adopted?
Other questions involve use of the
roll collar on officers uniforms only
for evening wear. when of duty
leaving the present service coat for
wear on duty: the adoption of brass
buttons for uniforms regardless OF
lar be adopted for dress occasions fol-
enlisted men, leaving the present coat
for duty service: should insignias or
officers overcoat be removed from
signals replace present cloth patch
or embroidered insignias; should
nickle sabre chain be adopted for
wear with Sam Brown belt, and
should civilian evening dress be au.
thorized for wear In posts. camps and
Earrisons.
Cables from Coblenz, Germany
formerly the headquarters of the
American occupational forces on the
Rhine. indicate that the last Of the
United States Army personnel will re-
turn to this country in July.
Col. William w. Harts. field artil-
Iery. who remained behind when Maj
Gen. Aliens forces sailed home, to
liquidate all property, claims and
other affairs of the occupation, will
sail July II on the George Wash
lngton. With him will come the other
cleanup" job. including Lieut. Col
Henry Hossfield, infantry. Maj
Georges NJ. Peck. field artillery. and
Capt. Edmund de T. Ellis, quarter.
master corps. from leave.
Other personnel in Coblenz will re-
turn on the President Roosevelt. sail
ing May 9. These include Brig. Gen.
William III. Johnston, from leave, and
Lieut.. T. J. Davis and q detachment
Of enlisted men from duty.
The President Arthur will sail on
May 16 with number of field clerks
and enlisted men; the President
Harding, on May &c, with Maj. Henry
G. Mclean. infantry; Capt. Ira A.
Crump. ordnance. and Field Clerk
John p. McMamamara: the George
Washington, June 6, with Maj. NJ. A.
Reasoner. medical corps, from de-
tached service, and Mal<O Sergt Ell
wood F. Carter, signal corps, and the
President Harding on June 27 with
Warrant officer Alfred Filler, from
leave.
Changes Of stations for Army units
just announced by the War Depart
ment include. The 9Th Field Artillery