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The Evening Star, Washington, D.C., Thursday, 0

JUDGES SITTING OVER COL. MITCHELL AND ASSISTANT DEFENSE COUNSEL

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MITCHELL'S TRIAL SETTING IS DREARY
Ramshackle Building Crowded-Whole Procedure Lacking in Usual Color.

Star-10-29-25
BY ROBERT T. SMALL

The Mitchell court-martial as a "production" is disappointing. The management has shown no appreciation of stage values. The star, of all things in the world, sits with his back to the audience! This is out of line with all tradition. The colonel's lady also sits with her back to the audience. All you can see are the members of the court, and they are grim of visage, serious of mien.

Taken altogether the court is in a sordid sort of setting. The old building in which it is located is a ramshackle affair and looks to have been deserted for 10 years of more. The impression one gets is almost one of squalor - governmental squalor. But the military flavor is unmistakable. In addition to the court there are half a score of younger officers on duty in and about the building. There is also an old top sergeant with four service stripes on his left sleeve. And a private who looks exactly like Harold Lloyd - a studious lad in khaki and spectacles.

Col. Mitchell sits in rather close quarters, but everybody appears to be crowded. The colonel did all he could to make more room by bombing three members off the court. While he was at the height of his challenges an airplane droned heavily overhead - a new threat of the Air Service. The colonel wears the new uniform of the Flying Corns - the coat cut after the English fashion, with turn-down collar and lapels. The colonel wears more decorations than any member of the court. The left breast of his tunic fairly blazes with the multi-colored ribbons.

Everybody expected the court to march in with clanking sabers, which, according to old custom, would have been placed upon the table in front of the judges. But the only weapons in sight are the sidearms of the enlisted men. Some one suggested that if they really expect to blast the colonel out of the Army they ought to bring a "soixante-quinze" into action. The Army has plenty left over from the war. In olden days a general court of this character would have been attired in full dress, with much gold lace and beaucoup epaulets. The present time is more democratic. Service uniforms of olive drab are worn. They make the court look as if it meant business.

Col. Mitchell daily faces not only his solemn judges but a heavy battery of cameras. He does not flinch at either. 

The ladies, who abound in the limited audience of 80, had their first thrill when Maj. Gen. Summerall stalked off the court after saying he regarded a report made by Col. Mitchell as "unfair, untrue-and ignorant." The general paused a full minute before he uttered that last word "ignorant." The audience "Oh-h-ed!" as it was, but one could not help but wonder what the audience would have done if the general had uttered what he really had in mind-what that long silence suppressed. 

Under ancient Army verbiage the court is sworn to try Col. Mitchell "without favor or affection"-which it probably will. 
(Copyright. 1925.) 

DISMISSAL WORST PENALTY POSSIBLE FOR COL. MITCHELL 
Star-10-29-25

Col. Mitchell has before him at trial a copy of regulations governing courts-martial, an important part of which consists of an enumeration of penalties which such a court is empowered by law to impose. 

The punishments run the usual scale of confinement in the guardhouse, reduction in rank, etc., and end laconically, as follows: 
"To be shot to death by musketry.
"To be hanged by the neck until dead." 

Fortunately for the Air Service officer, however, all the present court-martial can do to him, it is said, is reduce him in the promotion list or otherwise affect his good standing in the service, with dismissal from the service maximum. 

COLORFUL AUDIENCE OF WOMEN PRESENT AT COURT-MARTIAL
Star-10-29-25

Furred, Hatted Feminine Contingent Gives Overtone of Romance to Military Proceedings-Colenel and Wife Greet Early Comers. 

It was an audience composed mostly of fashionably dressed women which packed itself today into the little court room at First and B streets, where the trial of Col. William Mitchel, sportsman, social lion and soldier, is underway. 

Yesterday there were but a few feminine spectators on hand for the opening chapter of the big trial, but today they were out in the full splendor of their furs and hats. A military court proceeding usually is devoid of all romance, but the trial of "Billy" Mitchell, dashing aviator and horse fancier, was something else again. 

The small crows, perfunctorily limited by the confines of the improvised courtroom, seemed as though it was preparing to watch the former assistant air chief take the jumps, this time over the hazards of military discipline. 

Those who had expected to see the fiery colonel climb over the tables and shake his fist in the nose of his abashed judges were sorely disappointed, however. 

To date, Mitchell himself has maintained a complete, ear-tantalizing silence. He has had plenty to say, indirectly, it is true, but only through the medium of his attorney, Representative Frank Reid of Illinois. 

And this enforced silence seems to chafe him. He leans forward in his chair during exchanges between counsel and frequently appears to be on the verge of taking a hand in the repartee, only to subside again and smile at his wife, beside him. 

Mrs. Mitchell was in high spirits again today. Her black tam o' shanter was tilted saucily to one side. Around her shoulders was drawn a silken bandana, shot with riotous colors. She whiled away her time by sniffing a large white chrysanthemum in her hand, pausing now and then to raise a lorgnette to her eyes at some particularly important phase of the trail. 
   Mrs, Mitchell and the colonel greeted a number of men and women spectators as they entered the room this morning, and shook hands with some with whom they apparently were not acquainted, but who she’d to assure the officer of their “support.” 
   The majority of women present were young and pretty. The men, for the most part, were middle aged. The young women, evidently, were drawn by the romance of the trial, the men by the seriousness and probable consequence of the thing. That their interest, whatever the motive, is intense was attested by the fact that during the recess form noon until 2 o’clock yesterday afternoon many went with out lunch in order to remain in their places for the afternoon session.
   Mitchell’s attorney, by the way, is a notable figure at the trail. He is frequently on his feet, challenging statements of the prosecutor, hurling defiance into the faces of the court. He talks choppily and very rapidly, and often emphasizes his remarks by moving forward to the table at which the generals are sitting and employing sweeping gestures of the arms. All the while his countenance is a puzzle. He seems to be half smiling, but when the import of what he is saying reaches the ears the smile becomes by turns ironical, or quizzical, or even meaningless.

   Col. Sherman Moreland, who, as trail judge advocate, is prosecuting the accused, is a typical officer in appearance, and an able lawyer, withal. He punctuates his remarks with apologies “compelled” to challenge this is that contention, and at each apology Reid will glance up and nod as though to say. “That’s all right, old man. No hard feelings.”

       Waiting Line on Hand.
   Another line of waiting spectators was on hand this morning long before the Emory building, as the old Census building is known, was thrown open to the public. They good-naturedly braved the chill winds that whirled out of the Captiol grounds nearby, huddling themselves in overcoats and furs and keeping warm at times by sporadic jigging.
   The doors of the building were closely guarded all night by a special detachment of non-commissioned officers and other and other soldiers on duty as orderlies and ushers for the court. The all-night guard was assigned to protect the records of the court, destined to go down in history as important State documents.
   The soldiers are as fine looking a group of men as ever wore uniforms. In fact, they are the pick of the Army, comprising Headquarters Company. District of Washington, and are required to be men of the highest type, possessing a character rating of excellent and having a reputation for bravery. Their regular duties include service as part of the President’s guard of honor, guard of honor for foreign dignitaries, guard for ceremonies at the tomb of the Unknown Soldier, color guards at all large public ceremonies in or near Washington, etc.
   They stand ready to assist the Metropolitan police in case of special emergency, and are equipped to handle crowds in time of riot at public buildings, specifically the Bureau of Engraving and Printing.

          Dozen Serve as Orderlies.
   A dozen members of the guard are stationed within the courtroom as orderlies. All but one of them are permitted to sit down during the proceedings, but one young fellow has to stand rigidity erect behind the chair of the president of the court, Gen. Howze.
   Col. Mitchell has his own stenographer at the trail. She was given a chair, by special permission, near the judges’ table, but so far she has not taken more than a page of notes. It is believed she is there to take down only certain parts of the proceedings, on signal of Representative Reid.
   The official court reported is Alexander H Galt, brothers-in-law of Mrs. Woodrow Wilson. He is doing a miracle if he is actually catching every thing that is being said. He undoubtedly has most of his trouble when Representative Reid gets warmed up.