Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1926-07-12
JOHN w. WEEKS EXPIRES AT 66;
FUNERAL IN MASSACHUSETTS,

Wrought sharp words Of retaliation
DON him.
The strictest sort Of application to
Affairs Of the War Department and
he long hours he labored there left
heir mark on Mr.. Weeks. He re-
uctantiy gave UP golf and all other
sorm Of outdoor life, which required
was not long then until he was order
ed by the doctor to shorten his office
hours and be more considerable Of his
About this time Americas TN
known Soldier was brought from
France for interment at the Airing
ton, Va, National Cemetery. For
this hero Secretary Weeks counter
ed the physicians advice and insisted
upon walking as one Of the mourners
from the Capitol to the Virginia burial
grounds, 4-mile march which test.
ed the physical endurance Of men. OF
sounder strength than his 81 years
had left him.
He afterward said he was glad he
had made the long march, although
he was afraid more than once after
ne started that he would not arrive
at Arlington ron his feet. He paid
heavy penalty for what the doctors
called this ''indiscretion.
Rumors were circulated more than
once during the year following the
burial OF the Unknown that Secretary
Weeks twas 81 sick mar" and would
resign on account OF health. Few
knew. however, that his sufferings re-
suited from the march to Arlington
and his determination to pay his own
tribute to Americas unknown warrior
from France.
Was Stricken In 1925.
Mr.. weeks released active control
az the War Department early In April.
1925. when he was stricken with
thrombosis, the illness which led to his
RESIGNATION six months later. His con.
dition was at first grave. but improved
80 that, May 2S, he was able to under.
70 an operation in a Boston hospital
| for removal Of gall stones. Recover
| ing slowly from the operation, the
secretary remained In retirement.
On October IL his associates in The
war Department were surprised to
/ see him return to his desk at the War
Department, apparently prepared to
resume his work. Later In the day,
however, 1t became known that he had
submitted his resignation to Presi-
dent Coolidge, and on the next day
1.-THE President announced the appoint
ment Of Dwight +. Davis Of Missouri
to succeed him.
When the controversy over the ade-
nuacy Of the Nations air defenses
arose, Secretary Weeks, In February,
1925, appeared before the House air.
craft committee and contrad icted
charges made by William Mitchell,
| then brigadier general and assistant
chief of the Army Air Service. He
made the crOss-charge that Mitchell,
without proper departme ntal approval.
and despite 81 letter from President
coolidge caitioning him not to do 20,
published q series Of magazine articles
/ relating to Government aviation. AN
sweriftg other charges made by
Mitchell, he said Army officers, during
This airninistratic had not been smuz-
zIed,' though he would not give up
entire control Of matter published by
Them.
It was IN 1924. during the Secre-
tary,a term of once, that the national
defense day tests were inangurated
After his retirement, Mr. Weeks made
g. long desired trip to South America
and visited, among many other places,
Tacna and AFRICA, the provinces In dis
pufe between Chile and Peru When
| He returned. he discussed the situation
With President Coolidge, arbitrator iii
the generation-cld controversy.
COOLIDGE SENDS MESSAGE.