Newton D. Baker to Woodrow Wilson
Title
Newton D. Baker to Woodrow Wilson
Creator
Baker, Newton Diehl, 1871-1937
Identifier
WWP25352
Date
1918 October 30
Description
Secretary of War again tells President Wilson that he can do nothing for Colonel Rogan.
Source
Library of Congress, Woodrow Wilson Papers
Publisher
Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library & Museum
Subject
Military training camps
United States. Army
Wilson, Joseph Ruggles, Jr., 1867-1927
Wilson, Woodrow, 1856-1924--Correspondence
Contributor
Anna Phillips
Relation
WWP25353
WWP25354
WWP25355
WWP25356
WWP25357
Language
English
Provenance
Document scan was taken from Library of Congress microfilm reel of the Wilson Papers. WWPL volunteers transcribed the text.
Text
My dear Mr. President:
I return herewith the letter of your brother, Mr. Joseph Wilson, with regard to the case of Colonel Charles B. Rogan. In May of this year Mr. Tumulty referred to me, by your direction, another letter on this subject and I at that time write you briefly that I had examined the case and felt that no injustice had been done to the Colonel. I have now re-examined the case to refreshen my recollection as to just what happened.
Colonel Rogan, a man of high character and large experience in business affairs, attended an officers’ training camp with the view to qualifying, if he could, for a command in accordance with his rank, which he had attained in connection with the National Guard of Tennessee. There is every indication that Colonel Rogan is a man of character, business efficiency, and patriotic zeal. However, as the result of his attendance at the training camp he, with other student officers, was marked on his daily work and on his examinations, and Colonel Rogan failed in seven out of eleven subjects. For instance, in drill regulations he received 3.1 out of a possible 10; in minor tactics, 4.7; in field service regulation, 1.0; army regulations, 3.8. These are merely illustrative figures, as in some branches he attained much higher marks and in his daily recitation marks a more favorable showing is made. The fact is, however, that Colonel Rogan’s rank constitutes the chief embarrassment. If he were young enough (his present age, I think, is forty-four) to be commissioned as a lieutenant, or even a captain, these deficiencies would be relatively less important, but the command of a colonel is a very large and important command, and many officers who attended the same training school with Colonel Rogan and made a better showing in their work were given honorable discharges for lack of suitable military qualifications. Under these circumstances, I confess it does not seem to me that it would be fair to others to treat Colonel Rogan differently and overlook in his case the finding of the Board of Officers, which does not seem to have acted in any haste, so far as I can discover from the record which is before me.
Respectfully yours,
Newton D. Baker
I return herewith the letter of your brother, Mr. Joseph Wilson, with regard to the case of Colonel Charles B. Rogan. In May of this year Mr. Tumulty referred to me, by your direction, another letter on this subject and I at that time write you briefly that I had examined the case and felt that no injustice had been done to the Colonel. I have now re-examined the case to refreshen my recollection as to just what happened.
Colonel Rogan, a man of high character and large experience in business affairs, attended an officers’ training camp with the view to qualifying, if he could, for a command in accordance with his rank, which he had attained in connection with the National Guard of Tennessee. There is every indication that Colonel Rogan is a man of character, business efficiency, and patriotic zeal. However, as the result of his attendance at the training camp he, with other student officers, was marked on his daily work and on his examinations, and Colonel Rogan failed in seven out of eleven subjects. For instance, in drill regulations he received 3.1 out of a possible 10; in minor tactics, 4.7; in field service regulation, 1.0; army regulations, 3.8. These are merely illustrative figures, as in some branches he attained much higher marks and in his daily recitation marks a more favorable showing is made. The fact is, however, that Colonel Rogan’s rank constitutes the chief embarrassment. If he were young enough (his present age, I think, is forty-four) to be commissioned as a lieutenant, or even a captain, these deficiencies would be relatively less important, but the command of a colonel is a very large and important command, and many officers who attended the same training school with Colonel Rogan and made a better showing in their work were given honorable discharges for lack of suitable military qualifications. Under these circumstances, I confess it does not seem to me that it would be fair to others to treat Colonel Rogan differently and overlook in his case the finding of the Board of Officers, which does not seem to have acted in any haste, so far as I can discover from the record which is before me.
Respectfully yours,
Newton D. Baker
Original Format
Letter
To
Wilson, Woodrow, 1856-1924
Files
Collection
Citation
Baker, Newton Diehl, 1871-1937, “Newton D. Baker to Woodrow Wilson,” 1918 October 30, WWP25352, World War I Letters, Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library & Museum, Staunton, Virginia.