Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-02-13
Ne Criticism of Army
Men i'm Local Press
To the Editor of The star:

To the Editor of The Star:
In the press reports carrying the
statement made by Secretary OF War
Hurley, in defense Of the appointment
of Mai Gen. Crosby as District Com
missioner. it is stated that this defense
is made because some of the press
comments reflect, perhaps tlnwittingly.
upon the profession Of q soldier" This
statement, If true, applies only to press
Comment outside Of washington. 7
think I have read carefully all the
comment made. N the Washington
press and several statements made by
the press outside of Washington on
this subject. and have, yet to find
upon the profession of the soldier.
Quite to the contrary, the comment is
based on other grounds.
It is no reflection on the profession
Of the soldier when comment or obiec-
ton is voiced as to his availability TO
hold Office created and intended for
the civilian. Just as it is no reflection
on the civilian when the statement is
made that q civilian, unframed in mill
as a leader In military tactics. Ad-
mittedly, military person is
more capable and better fitted for
! leadership in the field in which he
has been schooled and trained-namely,
the Army or Navy-than in the civilian
trained person. It follows that a
civilian educated and trained person is
better qualified and fitted for leader
ship in fields outside of the military
vacations, and the fact that such mill
tary men as those mentioned by the
Secretary made good as leaders in
fields outside of the profession in which
they had been Schooled and trained
does not disprove what have tiSt said.
because there are, Of course. excen-
tons to all rules.
In any event, It Is reasonable to
suppose that In framing the organic act
by which two Of our Commissioners are
required to be civilians, the" trainers of
mat act had In view precisely the facts
which nave briefly outlined above.
The statement is also made that Gen.
crosby VIII become civilian upon his
retirement on the 21st of March. This
statement has been CHALLENGED by a
great, many people, including some of
the officers in the service of the Army.
But, granting that, he may technically
De. said TO be a Civilian, and, If so, the
letter OF the law may permit his APP
pontment, the fact remains, and this
view IS concurred in by vast majority
OF the people, that the aim or spirit
OF the law would not permit of his
appointment. because it IS evident that
the provisions Of the act contemplate
the appointment of two ComzniSSio ners
who are civilian trained.
Since, therefore, the question of
availability. has been raised and since
the question is at least a debatabIe
one, 1t would seem the part of wisdom
not to make the appointment Espe-
cially is this true at this particular
time when so much stress is being
brought to bear by those in authority
on the desirability of suppressing any
and al violations OF the eirhteenth
amendment. In other words, II one
law can be oVerridden or disregarded
tnose persons Who do not subscribe
Fundamentally to the righteousness of
the eighteenth amendment NAV ask
the question: Why lay so much stress
on the obedience to this law when
other laws at the same time are not
being complied with, at least in the
opinion and views Of a great many
people? w. T. PARRCTT,