Scandal at Selfridge

For months past, rumors of military misdoings had been piling up around Selfridge Field, Mich. Griping and gossip centered on ugly stories of unsoldierly behavior, favoritism, trading in promotions and bombproof jobs. Then came the most fantastic rumor of all: that the commander of the field, a full colonel, had been arrested for shooting a Negro private.

After 25 hours of dismayed silence, Army authorities issued a tight-lipped statement. That rumor, at any rate, was no fantasy. Private William McRae, a chauffeur, had indeed been shot and seriously wounded; Colonel William T. Colman, 39, commander at Selfridge, was under arrest and observation at a Battle Creek hospital.

The Colonel Fires. Unofficial details pieced out the story. Apparently Colonel Colman had called just before 1 a.m. for a car to take him home. His regular driver was off duty; by an unlucky happenstance, the new dispatcher did not know of Col-man's standing order that no Negro soldier should drive his car. At headquarters, said eyewitnesses, McRae reported: "Your car is ready, sir." Colman drew his service pistol and fired.

A board of Army officers began an investigation of the case, and in Washington the House Military Affairs Committee prepared to conduct an inquiry of its own. That made three agencies stirring the Self ridge stew; last month the FBI arrested two Wayne County constables, charged them with getting $200 from a Detroit draftee on the promise that friends of theirs at Selfridge could fix him up with a safe, soft berth for the duration.

A Congressman Inquires. Representative Paul W. Shafer (R., Mich.) stormed that the Selfridge situation "smelled to high heaven" and vowed to get to the bottom of it; he hinted that McRae might have been shot for learning of some irregularity. In Detroit U.S. Attorney John C. Lehr said he would ask indictment of at least 50 civilians involved in efforts to bribe Selfridge officials.

Other reports that will have to be scanned:

> That the field, once one of the Air Forces' proudest posts has been a paradise for apple-polishing noncoms who openly bartered favors, flouted regulations, overrode the authority of commissioned officers.

> That certain officials have accepted substantial gifts of property and real estate from the families of soldiers who were "rescued" from overseas duty.

> That a sergeant who was in on the fixing acquired a new car and speedboat.

> That civilians were enlisted at the field and promoted rapidly without ever taking basic military training.

Two nights after the McRae shooting, Selfridge had more gunplay. A sentry discovered two civilians scaling a fence into the field and fired on them when they ignored his command to halt. One escaped in the dark; the other, seriously wounded, was identified as a former Detroit salesman. The Selfridge pot had come to a boil.

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