Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1925-12-19
AND PREPAREDNESS

As we understand the situation,
Colonel William Mitchell has been
tried by court martial for having
violated an article of war, ito the
prejudice Of good order and military
discipline" Did he or did he not do
this? That would seem properly to
have been the thing for the tribunal
to determine. Colonel Mitchell was
given the widest latitude for present.
ing his case, for proving his charges,
though whether these were true or
not does not appear to have been the
issue for the court martial to de-
stermine, notwithstanding the defense
sought ruling on this point. The
reader will recall that these we're
strong charges, ''incompetency,
criminal negligence and almost
reasonable" administration of the
national defense and "disgraceful adj
ministration of aeronautics." Serious
charges to make against an adj
ministration, hampered by lack of
money essential to attainment of the
ideal.
The prosecution counsel asked for
dismissal of Colonel Mitchell from
the service, 'in the name of the
American people" One shouldn't
infer from this that the American
people were clamoring for such dis
position Of the case. Indeed it may
be doubted whether the public is not
convinced that Colonel Mitchell's ef-
forts will be productive of some
good. It As possible that on more
mature consideration it may con-
gclude that such procedure does more
of harm than Of good. 1t appears
that his charges have not been prov
ed. Is there not some better way
than the making of unfounded
charges for bringing about reform?
If not we are in bad way.
General Sherman characterized
war as hell. He might have added
that military authority essential to
the successful prosecution of war
partakes strongly of the nature of
that which it supports. In time of
war men have been shot for offense
against that authority, offense Of less
proportions than that of Colonel
Mitchell. Even in time of peace we
would sympathize with the private,
the man behind the gun, who, even
if he could prove his charges, dared
undertake to do so. Safe to say he
would scarcely get Opportunity.
He would have our sympathy, but
we confess we have none for the
colonel, who is not likely to suffer in
his self esteem, who has secured a
larger measure of publicity. which it
appears he Graves, than his merits
appear to warrant, whose position
in society is assured. whose wealth
relieves him from any dependence on
the position he holds, whose attack
was made in way to injure as gal
liant soldiers as he himself is admit
ted to be. 1t should be a good thing
for discipline so necessary in the SER
vice that one so high-placed and in
nuential has not been able to please
his fancy in defiance Of rules and
regulations.
His case, however. is a reminder, If
nothing more. Not q reminder that
we need unified department Of
aviation with Mitchell in control,
but that we do need a better state
Of preparation than this country
ever has had at the time of the out
break Of any war in which it has
taken part. This continuous record
OF unpreparedness is disturbing to
say the least. By reason of the
French and Indian wars the Ameri-
cans were better prepared for our
war Of independence than for any we
have had since that time. Recogni-
ton of this tendency in this country
should be stimulated and the tend
ency should be intelligently and con-
sistently guarded against.
MARRIED WOMEN IN INDUSTRY