The Washington times., 1930-01-20
Army Circles Gossip Regarding
Choice of Next Chief of Staff
Naming of Successor to
General Summerall Sets
Tongues Wagging

SCuSUu1Su Ava ACAt 4~4@ S~~ @>~J
circles are already buzzing
with gossip regarding his
successor in office.
The distinguished officer
and his charming wife have
played a prominent part
in Washington society dur
ing their four year stay in
the Capital. AS chief Of
staff the general ranks next
to the Secretary of War and
General Pershing at all
White House functions, ETC.,
taking precedence of even the
assistant secretaries. Gen
eral Pershing, of course, as
General of the United States
Army, a title created for
him by Congress, is always
next in line to the chief Of
the department.
Honor to Office
Curiously enough the chief Of
staff in Army circles does not
outrank the assistant Secreta-
ries. The theory being that, in
the absence of the War Secre-
tary, his assistant represents
him personally.
Army circles agree that Cen
eral and Mrs. Summerau have
done honor to the formers
important office during their
soiourn here. Mrs. SummerauS
dinner parties have been noted
for their brilliancy. She has
made. a gracious hostess, and
her niche, it Is felt, will be
difficult to fill.
Maj. Gen. Douglas MacAr-
thur, whose name is mentioned
by the gosSips as possible sue
cessor to General Summeran, is
not married. Or rather the
general may be said to be un-
married as he was divorced last
June by his wife, the former
Mrs. Louise Cromwell Brooks.
Which would create, in case he
succeeds General Summerau, a
rather interesting situation, as
Mrs. Macarthur is returning to
Washington next winter to pre-
sent her daughter, Miss Louise
Brooks, to society. The Mac
Arthurs, however, parted ami
cably and would probably have
no particular aversion to meet
ing.
List of EIigibIeS
It is generally agreed that
General Macarthur, who IS ex-
ceedingly attractive, would make
an imposing figure as chief
of staff. Certainly Washing
ton hostesses would be thrilled
to add his name to their Ia
mentally small list of unat-
tached and eligible men.
Army circles admit, however,
that the list Of possibilities for
the post could be stretched to
20 or more, all distinguished
officers who have earned the
honor by length and merit Of
service. Probably none Of the
20 would reject the office if
it was offered him. And very
few would be actually unpopu-
lar if selected.
OF course the Army has It's
preferences. There is, for ex.
ample, the present head Of the
War College, Gen. William Con-
nor. The ConnorS are both ex-
tremely popular here and Mrs.
Connor has made a reputation
as a peerless hostess. She en-
tertains extensively and seems
to enjoy dispensing hospitality.
Born q Southern girl, with
Memphis, Tenn, as her back
ground, she is q delightful per-
son to meet.
Mccoy Mentioned.
The choice Of Gen. Frank r.
Mccoy would be exceedingly
popular in Army circles. Gen.
eral Mccoy has distinguished
record, and, one would judge, a
keen sense Of humor. One re-
calls his tactics while Supervis-
ing the Nicaragua elections.
The general ordered all voters
stained red after casting their
ballots, neatly nipping in the
bud any repeating Of votes. He
is from Pennsylvania and could
count on a substantial backing
from his states delegation in
Congress. His election tactics
might appeal to Washington hos
tesses as a method Of curing gate
crashing. Invitations might
read "come in blue" and the un-
initiated, say in red, would be
promptly thrown out.
Mrs. Mccoy Is an army girl, ..
the niece Of the late Gen. Leon
ard Wood, with whom General
Mccoy was associated for more
than IS years. She is greatly
beloved and would be royalty
welcomed by the ladies Of the
army.
Other "eligibleS" whose names
are being mentioned by Dame
Rumor include Gen. Fox Con-
nor, now stationed at Honolulu;
Gen. Denis Nolan, commandant
Of the Fifth Corps stationed at
Fort Hays, Columbus, Ohio, and
Gen. william Laffiter, stationed
at Fort Sam Houston, Texas.
All three are married and would