Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1926-01-26
MITCHELL STARTS
SERVING SENTENCE
Colonel Allowed S4,760 Year.
Iy Pay by President-Case
Reopening Seen.

Col William Mitchell today began
serving a sentence Of suspension from
rank, command and duty in the Army
Cor five years.
BY action Of President Coolidge in
approving the findings last night of
the Army general court-martial which
ried and convicted the fiery airman
FOR violating the Goth Article of War.
the name of "col. William Mitchell.
Air Service, u S. Army" today was
stricken from the commissioned roll.
The sentence Of the court martial
was not carried out with respect 70
forfeiture of all pay and allowances.
he Executive upholding the recon-
mendation of Secretary Of War Davis
hat the airman be allowed one-half of
his base pay and allowances.
Case May Come Up Anew.
With President Coolidge's decision
aSt night. which came as surprise,
As he had received the report from
he War Department only a few
hours earlier in the day, the Mitchell
case became a closed incident with
'ha Army. hut there We're indications
he public has not heard the last of
II. 1t is known that Mitchell friends.
including some Democratic members
or Congress. are planning TO air -ha
whole matter in the Sara-e and
House. They have been withholding
comment until the case was complet ad
and the Presidents decision made
'-rown
The possibility of n resignation
10 Il
Mitchell. in the absence Of anv COM
ment from him today. Had the air
man been danr'ved Of all his nav and
allowances II is known that Mitchell
would have gore into the CorI-r of
Claims and sued fnr his cornpe-eation
and a the same time reonened the en-
tire controversy once more Now that
a nortionsof his paw has been gra ntesl
him there is no basis fc~ appeal from
he decision of the President 1t is sa id
In we'll informed quarters.
Shortly after the presidential an
proval was announced Representative
Frank r. Reid. Pepuhl'can. of iii
nais. who headed the defense counsel
at the trial. issued a characteristic
statement. declaring that an .'invis-
ible mind and hand have lahored with
out ceasing for this days verdict"
and that they have finally got Col.
Mitchell"
To Get s4,76O Yearly.
The White House announcement
bearing President Coolidga's full state.
ment declared that "hereafte during
the pleasure Of the President Col.
Mitchell will be entitled to all his al
loWances and one-half of the monthly
pay which he would draw while not
actually engaged in flying. making a
total of S397.67 per month. or about
S4.160 per YEAR"
The Presidents comment on the
case in part was: THE theory of gov
ernment implies that every official so
long as he retains office shall deport
himself with respect toward his su-
periors. This is especially true of those
in the military service. Unless this
rule is applied there could be no dis
clpline in the Army and the Navy.
without which those two forces would
not only be without value as means
OF defense, but would become actually
a menace to society. Discipline is the
whole basis of military training"
The effect of the Presidents action
in limiting modification of forfeiture
by the phrase during the pleasure of
the President" is to make possible.
at any time during the five years, re-
NOShtAoii VI lildl ana a
withdrawal from the convicted officer
of all pay and allowances. No further
court action would be necessary.
Should Col. Mitchell remain in the
Army and again clash with his SUI
periors, the form of this sentence.
which was recommended by the Board
OF Review and approved both by Gen.
Hull and Secretary Davis, would per-
NIT his punishment to be made more
severe by executive action.
Davis Reviews Charges.
In transmitting the case and his
recommendations to the President.
Secretary Davis rehearsed briefly the
charges on which Mitchell was con.
victed Of having issued for publica
ton in San Antonio, September 5 and
9, statements containing expressions
highly derogatory to the War De-
Continued on Page 4, Column 81