The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-07-20
Is TINS THE OTHER SIDE OF IT,
Some Further Light on tho Question of the
Gratitude of Republics.

To THE EDIToR OF THE SuN--Sir: Refer
ring to the communication signed "R. w. q.
W." In your publication OF yesterday. headed
There Must Be Another Side to This" here
II Is attached. or course, IL Is only q coinci-
dence that the same mail that brought check for
two months extra waiting orders paw. awarded
by the act OF Congress March 3. 1899. brought
communication from certain firm Of Wash
inRton attorneys. stating that In their opinion
1t was the intention of Congress to allow full
service pay and Offering to collect 1t for a con-
tingent fee Of 20 per cent
VI course. there Is no mistake in what the
Intention OF Congress was. Congress intended
to give the volunteer officers and men the
same rate OF pay that they received while in
service.
But why should the Comptroller OF the Treas
ury misconstrue this provision Of law2 My
only hope Is that the men and officers who
served Will not pay any attention to this COM
municution from the Washington attorneys.
but let the Treasury keep the money the Cow
eminent voted It's sailors. and not divide 1t
with Washington attorneys.
WILMINGToN, July H. W.D. W. d.
DEAR sn-The following provision is contained
in the Act of Congress approved March .. 1870:
The officers and enlisted men COMPRISING the tenn
p2rary force ~ the navy during the war with spain
Mhfo sslycd oredlta1lv beyond the limits OF the
after lie isona gtd. shall bo paid two IN mus extra
pay and az suc4 officers and ENLISTED men OF tie
I'm ted states, and Who have been or may hereafter
De discharged, shall lie paid one month extra pay.
The accounting officers of the Treasury have con-
strued this provision as intending only lay as Il
waiting orders.
We have huen consulted by officers interested and,
after careful consideration. We have advised them
that in orr opiiionA 1t was the intention If CON
gress to allow service pay accordingly tho officer
served at sea or ON shore. aud VIZ have agreed with
them IN sue for the difference in each case III ac-
cordance with the facts, provided enough others
tertsted Will place their claims in hands
rant US III proceeding. for contingent 20 Der
cent, on tile amount recovered no one to 10 obliged
~ pay anything If nothing is recovered for him, exc
cept rs cents for a revenue stamp To be placed on
the power OF attorney To us. aud 81 cents to no.
tary when the petition to be sal oguently prepared
by us shall he sworn to.
lfyuu are willing to employ us on the foregoing
oasis please execute. stamp and return MS the in
closed power and fee agreement. Also that may
he able to prepare your petition with accuracy.
please give us brief record of your service in lut-
INK the dates OF yuur appointment and DISCHARGE,
whether your service shore or Gt sea- whether
within or beyond the limits Of the United States
tho amount of extra pay allowed and such other
data az } on may think may have q bearing on the
question.
If you have not yet applied for your xtra pay or IL
nhas not yet been allowed please preserve the power
or attorney until tho allowance shall he made. As
many of your brother officers Will wish tn proceed
and will be guided in our acton by tho mum.
Der OF claims placed in our hands do not allow tho
smallness Of your claim TO deter you from sending
II to us. Very truly yours, 4 -
WAsHrNdToS. d. C.. June 40.