The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1925-10-29
TAKE THREE MEN
OFF TRIAL BOARD
Maj. Gen. Summerall, Pres
ident of Court Martial,
One to Go.
PREJUDICE CHARGED
West Point Commandant Re-
moved by PeremptOry Chal-
lenge; Gen. BOwley Out.

Washington, D. C. - 49, - COZ
onel Mitchell began his defense at his
court martial here today by driving
from the bench three members Of the
court, including its president, Major
General Charles P. Summerall.
General Summerall withdrew on his
own motion after he had been charged
with prejudice against the defendant,
and Brigadier General A. G. Bowley,
was disqualified by his colleagues on
the court after a defense challenge
had been lodged against him on SINH
lar grounds.
Both challenges were based on ut
terances Of the two generals against
the separate air department favored
by Colonel Mitchell and in support OF
which he used language which led to
his court martial on a charge of vi
olating good discipline.
A sharp verbal clash between Gem
eral Summerall and Representative
Frank R. Reid of Illinois, counsel for
Colonel Mitchell, preceded Summer
ALPS request that the cor rt excuse him
from further attendance.
In support of his challenge, Mr. Reid
read statements made by General
Summerall before the presidents air
board, and coupled with them extracts
from the report of Colonel Mitchell
after he inspected the air defense of
the Hawaiian department at that tins
commanded by General Summerall.
~ have learned for the first time,"
General lSummerall said, "of tho en-
nity CelAnel M.shei' basf toerTas me.
The report he made is untrue nfair
and ignorant. This is not tls place
to prove the efficiency of the air serv-
ice Of the Hawaiian Department.
can not sit as a member Of this court.
| beg the court to excuse me from
further attendance" The court
granted the request.
General Summerall's retirement
placed Major General Robert L. Howe,
commanding officer Of the fifth corps
area at Columbus, Ohio, in the presi-
dents chair.
A preemptory challenge then was
made by Mr.. Reid against Major Gem
eral Fred w. Sladen, superintendent
Of the military academy at West Point,
N. Y. This form Of challenge permit
ted of no argument and General Sladen
was excused.
Eowley Called Prejudiced.
The challenge directed against Brig
adler General Albert &C. Bowley, COM
handing officer Of Fort Bragg, y. G.,
was based on statement chat he is
prejudiced, hostile, and filled with
animosity to the accused" A speech
made by General Bowley at Greenville,
N. c.. on October 20, was cited in sup
port of the charge.
In this speech General Bowley OPP
posed the separate air department fav-
The court, after a seven-minute dis
The court, after a seyenminute dis
cussion, sustained the challenge and
General Bowley was excused.
A challenge was next lodged by the
defiance against Major General Chas.
P. Summerall, head of the court, on
the ground that he was prejudiced,
hostile and bore animosity towards
Colonel Mitchell Defense counsel
quoted from statements made by Gem
eral Summerall before the presidents
air board.
Colonel Mitchell's Hawaiian report,
which was read to the court as a part
of the challenge against General Sum-
neral, was dated December, 1923, and
declared the air forces of the islands
were badly organized and that Gem
eral Summerall had shown an ignor-
ance of the principles involved.
In an appended statement by Colonel
Mitchell, also read into the court rec
orr, the colonel said the report had
indicated that General Summeran
"knew practically nothing about avia-
ton"
With Colonel Mitchell standing be-
fore the bench, Lieutenant Colonel
Joseph /. McMullen, assistant trial
judge advocate, read the specifications
against him.
During the long process of reading
the specifications and the statement on
which they were based, friends Of
Colonel Mitchell explained privately
that the challenge against General
Sladen was made on the ground that
the general, as commandant of the
academy, was compelled to
advocate and teach the most rigorous
army disciplinary rules, and that his
position would make it impossible for
him to condone on the part of any
army officer the statements Colonel
made in San Antonio.
I'll
Cifv MANAGER ,OSt