Evening star., 1949-01-28
.2TopD.C. Guard Posts
MAY Be Consolidated
Under Army Staff Plan
Pressure Is Increased
To Appoint Col. Mann os
Commanding General
By WiIIiom J. WheotIey

COllSOllud blOll VI Ille pOSlGlOllS
of commanding general and
adjutant general of the District
National Guard has been rec
commended by officers of the
Army General Staff, it was
learned today.
There were further indications
that this plan would be followed
when the agency to be selected by
Secretary of Defense Forrestal re-
ceives authority to make recon-
mendations for the appointment of
commanding general to succeed
Brig. Gen. Albert Cox.
At the same time, it was learned
that forces are working to have the
selection Of the new commanding
general made from among officers
who are in the District Guard. In
creasing pressure is being exerted to
bring about the appointment to the
position of Col. Leroy S. Mann,
commanding the 260th Anti-Aircraft
Coast Artillery, and the senior line
officer in the local militia.
ID. c. Guardsman Favored.
The Washington Board of Trade
moved into the picture today. w. H.
Press, the boards executive secre-
tary. said letter is being sent to
Secretary Forrestal today, asking
that the appointment be made from
the District Guard.
Baxter Smith, vice president of
the Federation of Citizens, said he
would propose resolution at the
meeting of the Executive Council
Monday night that Secretary For
restal make the selection from
among the officers now serving in
the local Guard.
However, it is believed by those
in close touch with the situation
that the stage is all set for the ap-
pointment of Col. William H. Aben-
droth to the position of command
ing general and his assignment as
adjutant general. Study of the
Army regulations, following the rec
ommendation of the General Staff,
has indicated, it was said, that it
would be legal for one man to serve
in both positions, although the job
OF the commanding general is a
line job, that of adjutant general a
staff position.
Under the regulations, it was
pointed out, an adjutant general has
no authority to command troops,
except those within his particular
offlce. On the other hand, it was
said, it is legal for a line officer to
be detailed as adjutant general, in
which Office he could command
troops and at the same time perform
the staff duties of that office.
Basis of Dispute.
This was the basis of the dispute
between Col. Mann, the senior line
commander in the Guard, under Gen.
Cox and Col. Peyton G. Nevitt, the
adjutant general, which was carried
to the White House last summer, It
was brought about by the issuance
OF an order by Gen. Cox, placing Col.
Nevitt in command during the gen.
erals absence.
Under the present Guard setup,
the local militia is entitled to have
a brigadier general as adjutant gen.
eral. But with the impending
change, it was reported that the
general staff officers took the posi-
tion that there was no need for the
assignment Of two brigadier generals
here at this time.
Under the present law the Presi-
dent is authorized to detail an officer
of the Army here as adjutant gen.
eral. Therefore, after the naming
of the new commanding general,
that same officer could be placed
on active duty and detailed as ad-
jutant general, which would give
the Guard a fulI-time, paid COM
manding general and adjutant gen.
eral. The pay of a brigadier gen.
eral, with allowances for housing
and subsistence, would total 1854
a year.