The Wilmington morning star., 1946-09-10
MORE ABOUT
STACKS
FROM PAGE ONE

!eCdly noyall hasn't toe
much patience with criticism of the
armed forces, as he proved in a
strongly phrased attack on what
he considers irresponsible lang,,a 70
before the North Carolina Food
Dealers association here last night.
Initiated Inquiry
But, as a War Department exc.
cutive. he is personally credited
with the initiative in the American
Bar associations current investi.
cation Of army courts martial pro.
cedures.
And, since his duties include
supervision over the army's judge
advocates office, his will be the
hand that carries out any revisioas
in procedure the associations panel
may recommend.
Yesterday, Undersecretary Royal
had an open mind about the sub.
ject of courts martial.
"Of course, army courts aren't
all good and their decisions aren't
all uniform. New Hanover county
civil courts aren't always uniform
either; a good deal of law-wheth.
er civil OF military-depends on the
individual judgement of the mer
who pass upon it."
But, even though we have the
best judicial system of any army,
it still m'~at Re imnroved," he said.
Seeking Opinions
The Undersecretary has gone
ahout the courts martial study ir
typical Tar Heel detail. In addi.
ton to the opinions of a special
panel selected by the U. S. bar,
he has sought the views of a multi.
tude of other agencies-includine
the National Lawyers guild and
various state bar associations.
Gen. Royal himself is no mean
expert on courts martial procedure.
As an army colonel, he was appoint
ed by President Roosevelt to de-
fend the six Nazi saboteurs who
landed on U. S. shores late in 1912.
Along with other members of the
defense staff, he hit the nations
headlines by challenging army jul
risdiction over the case up to the
United States Supreme court.
AS a former War Department
general officer. the Undersecretary
might seem the epitome Of army
brass, but he is first Of all a demo-
cratic civilian in the service of
his country.
Even after nearly five years out
Of the state, he was most anxious
yesterday to talk about his life
as a Carolinian and his plans
still indefinite-to return to it.
For the IA years prior to the de-
struction of his family cottage in
the 1887 Wrightsville Beach fire.
Gen. Royal was a regular summer
beach resident. He would not say
yesterday whether plans for his
ultimate return to his home state
include rebuilding of that cottage.
Carolina Graduate
When he went on active duty in
1912, the Undersecretary was a
CONSPICUOUS light of the North Caro-
lima bar. He had been its state pres
ident and, with the exception of
two years in the first World War.
a successful ATTORNEY almost since
his graduation as a Phi Reta Kappa
from the University Of North Caro-
lima.
While on active duty IN the sec
ond World War. Gen. Rovall was
successfully deputy fiscal officer
in the War Department. and a
special assistant to Secretary Of
War Stimson.
He also served nearly a year with
the Fifth Army in Italy.
And the General wasn't always
a brass hat. AS a lieutenant of artil-
lery, he served more than two
wears in France with the famed
81st. or Wildcat. division.
His son. Kenneth Royal. Jr., was
a First Marine division rifle COM
panv commander with service at
Guadalcanal, Bougainville and
Guam.
Looks Tired
Even in Wrightsville Beach
Stacks, Undersecretary Royal was
very much the civilian-soldier yes
terday. He looked a little tired -
an understandable fact in view OF
duties that include supervision OF
armv procurement and contracts
but he still looks far this side OF
the 50 years that who's Who"
credits him with.