Evening star., 1946-08-19
By Nelson Shepord

Secretary OF War Patterson toda,
practically wrote off as reforms al
ready accomplished most Of the
general recommendations Of the
former Doolittle Board for the cor
rection of enlisted mems grievances
against the Army.
The General Staff, he disclosed, Is
now reviewing the controversial sub
ject of awards and decorations, with
a view to preventing future I'm
equities" However, he pointed out
it cannot undo what has been done
in that regard.
Steps are being taken to assure
that standards by which units OF
individuals are honored for heroism
or meritorious service will be ap-
piled in uniform manner" Mr.
Patterson announced. This change
ne added, cannot affect past in
equities that may have existed, but
it can insure future uniformity
Action Already Taken.
Mr.. Patterson said the War De-
partment already has taken action
carrying out the major recommen-
dations of the board formerly headed
by 1t. Gen. James A. Doolittle, hero
Of the first bombing of Tokyo, after
an extensive inquiry into officer-en-
listed man relationships. The in
quiry and hearings were instituted
following widespread CT protests
and mass-meetings in both the Pa
cific and European theaters after
hostilities ended. While complaints
were directed against the Army's So
called caste system" the Doolittle
Board, upholding CT protests in a
majority of cases, declined to stig.
Matte the Army on the caste sys.
TEN" count.
The whole question of Army
leadership, improvement of which
was made the subject of the first
recommendation, is now under in
tensive War Department study. Mr.
Patterson said the postwar system
which provides periodic schooling
between tours of field duty for Off
GERS, would aid in reaching this OBJ
jective. Courses in the psychology
of leadership are being included in
the curriculum at West Point and
other Army schools.
Studies in Leadership.
The Command and General Staff
College course, he said, will include
such studies as are necessary in
leadership and human relations and
personnel research. Equally as i'm
portant, the Army has organized a
Central Officers Assignment Group
to fit each officer to his job.
Mr.. Patterson reiterated today
that any revision of the Manual
for Courts Martial, basic Army
document on military justice, and
any recommendation for legislative
changes, will await a final report by
the Advisory Board made up OF
members of the American Bar AS
sociation. Headed by Dean Arthur
T. Vanderbilt of New York Univer-
sity Law School, the board has had
the system under study for some
months.
The Doolittle Board had called
for definite equality Of treat.
ment of both enlisted and commits
stoned personnel in the administra.
ton Of military Justice" Before the
board reported, however, the War
Department had set up the ma
chinery to review courts martial
sentences.
Civilian Relationship.
To improve military civilian rela-
tionships, as recommended by the
Doolittle Board, Mr.. Patterson said
steps now ares being taken. Plans
will be provided for Army area
commanders and their subordinates,
he pointed out, to set up advisory
groups to cooperate with civilian
groups representing local commu-
mites.
The final recommendation Of the