The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-12-18
LEGISLATION Required to Provide for
All that Expended in Preparing
Soldiers for the War.
CHANCE FOR EXTRA MONEY
BILL THAT WILL GIVE HOLSTERS
$4,000 III PASSED.
General Sternberg ON the Needs of
the Medical Branch of the Army
Little show for Reciprocity.


Special to the Indianapolis Journal
WASHINGTON, Dec. 1.-THE War De-
partment will suspend about half of the
claims made against the United States by
the State of Indiana for the repayment of
money advanced in equipping and other
wise preparing soldiers for the war with
Spain. OF the entire claim $105, 600 has been
allowed, and the remainder is suspended to
await fuller information from the Gov
ernQr and necessary legislation authorizing
the federal government to pay the amounts.
The auditor OF the War Department adj
vised Mr.. Overstreet to-day that he is pre-
pairing a difference Sheet which will be
forwarded to Governor Mount the first of
next week, which sheet will show in detail
the items disallowed or hung up and give
the reasons for such action in every in
stance. 1t was further explained that the
federal law enacted on the Sth Of July last
provided for the transportation of soldiers
from place of enrolment. In Indiana prac-
tiQally all the soldiers were enrolled at In
dianapolis and mustered in there, conse-
quently there is no authority for the re-
payment to the State of the money spent
in bringing the soldiers from their homes
in various parts of the State to Indianapo-
lis. Indiana Is not the only sufferer in this
respect and there will undoubtedly be Leg
islation by Congress which will enable the
authorities at Washington to make proper
reimbursement. Pending such action the
States will have to wait
The law of July also provided for the
payment of volunteers from the date of en-
roliment. The greater number of Indiana
soldiers were enrolled at Indianapolis April
Is and mustered in May TO- Between 1,5OO
ard 1900 of them received double pay for
the fourteen days, the State paying at the
rate of $3.50 day and the federal govern
ment at the rate of 60 cents a day for that
period. No provision whatever has been
made for reimbursement in such cases. and
the State is apparently out about $4,000. OF
course, no attempt will be made to recover
the money from the individual soldiers. and
IL a settlement is made it will be between
the State and the United States. This point
is giving the War Department officials more
worry than any which has been raised. The
law of July provided only for the repay
ment to States of moneys spent in fitting
out soldiers before that date. Anything
spent by States after July s will have to be
provided for by new legislation Indiana
figures to some extent there also. There
Yves more or less irregularity in making
acquisitions upon the government for pay
ment of claims, but opportunity will be
given for correction. The hardship which
Indiana suffers in not being able to secure
prompt repayment of moneys advanced for
her soldiers is also endured by nearly every
other State Few accounts correct
throughout, and in nearly every instance
difference sheets" have had to be sent
back to Governors for correction and revi-
sion.
A bill introduced to-day by Chairman
Hull, of the House military committee, to
allow volunteer soldiers who did not go out
of the country an extra months pay and
those who went out of the country in the
performance of their duties two months
extra pay, will, if passed. give Indiana vet
Grams Of the American-Spanish war about
$4,000 to divide up.
concerted movement is on foot among
those who are opposed to an extra session
of the Fifty-sixth Congress for the enact
ment of monetary legislation to create the
impression that there is overwhelming
sentiment against IT. The feeling in that
direction is not nearly as strong as repre-
sented and it is of a kind which can be
changed very easily if circums tances and
conditions should arise to make an extra
session appear advisable to the executive
and TO the leaders of political thought at
the capitol. :"
A delegation of citizens of Madison Ind,
was given hearing by the rivers and har-
bors committee to-day. The delegation adj
vocated larger appropriation for improve
ments in the Ohio at that point than was
recommended by the War Department.