The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1923-01-21
HOUSE condemned
FOR HARTFORD SLASH
Secretary of War Denounces
Action In Refusing Retired
Pay to A. {. r. Leader.
HAD FAITHFUL RECORD
Weeks Denies Radio Corpora.
ton Seeks Commercial
Business Of Government.
international News Service.

Antefn0ttomaA News Service
Secretary Of War Weeks last night
strongly condemned the action Of
the House OF Representatives in
adopting an amendment to the
Array bill which, he said, takes
from Maj. Gen. James q. Harbord,
until recently deputy chief Of staff,
his retired pay because he has be.
come president Of the Radio Cor.
poration Of America.
he reason given for this &C.
ti0n,. said Weeks, lis that General
Harbord has been employed by the
company for the purpose OF obtain.
ing more business from the Govern
ment than the company could hope
otherwise to secure. This ID an in
suit to General Hartford ana to the
Government ITSELF"
For nearly forty years. Secretary
Weeks said, General Harbof0 has
faithfully and efficiently served the
Government, having come into the
Army a. q private and at the BET
ginning Of the world war having
attained only the rank of major.
MADE CHIEF OF STAFF.
while his rank was not high, 7
the Secretary continued; che had
already impressed himself upon the
War Department and his associates
In the Army to such degree that
ne was made chief OF staff OF the
A. p. r.
He went from. that position to
the command Of the Second Divis.
ion, one Of the most conspicuous
fighting divisions in the army. He
|conamanded this division durins the
Marne-Vasle campaign. Things
were not goink satisfactorily in the
service of supply ana he WAS trans
ferred. greatly to his regret, to the
head Of that service, q position Of
enormous responsibility and the
greafeet importance In the army.
He 80 reOTganized and conducted
that service that he brought to
himself not only the plauditS Of his
associates In the army, but attract
ed the attention of men Of Inn
hoftance In civilian life who were
temporarily serving the Govern.
.rnent IN Europe; in fact, 50 extra
ordinary were his services and
organizing ability that they have
occasiOned continual conaHendatioil
from civilians since the war. and II
was because of this capacity that
he was called to the presidency Of
the Radio Corporation as the most
competent available man for that
particular service In the United
States
DESERVED LARGE
HONOEsARIUM.
.''If a British officer, French
officer, or any other officer had
performed for, his government the
service rendered by General Har.
bord, Secretary Weeks said, "in.
stead Of having this stigma attach
ed to him, that Ia, the inference
that he is dishonest--not to men.
ton taking away his retired pay
he would have been given honor OF
very important character and Ger
tainly, in the case Of Great Britain,
q large hoEiofarium as well.
II do not believe the people Of
this country wish it's great defend
ers treated in such a shameful
way and I should think General
Harbord would feel that a country
that would tafnely submit to such
treatment of one OF its officers
was hardly worth serving. He will
certainly feel a sense OF injustice
which time can. never efface."
Secretary Weeks said that the
possible amount Of business be.
tween the government and the
Radio Corporation is incense.
quential."