The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1900-05-25
Army Contract Surgeons

A bill for tho relief OF the acting assistant
surgeons Of the Army has been introduced
into the Senate by Mr.. FORAKER. and Il now
before the Committee on Military Affairs.
The acting assistant surgeons. generally
called contract surgeons, " were employed
during the Spanish war, and many Of them
are still employed in the Philippines and ut
posts in this country. These surgeons are
hired by the month. at the rate OF $3.50.
they wear Army uniform without n
badge or indication OF rank. and they
perform all the duties that regular Sur
geons perform at larger salaries. Accord
ing 10 the preamble OF MIR. FoRAKER's
bill, their contracts provided for quarters
and presumably for Communication Of
quarters. when Government quarters were
not furnished. as well rs for pay while on
leave Of absence either sick or ordinary"
but all Of these allowances nave been denied
by the Comptroller Of the Treasury.
Another less tangible hut none the less
Irritating grievance IL that. owing 70 the
fact that contract surgeons are not COM
missioned. or even in the Army. they arc
not eligible to membership in the Loyal
Legion, or even In the Grand Army, not 70
speak Of the societies sprung from the
Spanish war. Senator FORAKER aims to
remedy these hardships,
The bill provides that hereafter all con-
! tract surgeons shall have the allowances
and privileges Of First Iieutenants, except
the pay. which shall continue To be $50
IN ,oppth IL ,rnyilna f,r,I,r ,ho, ,1.;n.,
assistant urgeons appointed since May /,
1888, shall be paid for sick leave and for
ordinary leave not to exceed thirty days in
each year OF service; and gives them the
right TO file claims for back pay for such
periods of leave, for communication Of
quarters. and for travel pay and allow
ances. (which may have been withheld
from or not paid TO hem
Other sections provide that acting as
sistant surgeons appointed since May /,
1893. shall be commissioned az First Lieuten-
ants, the commissions to expire when they
are discharged honorably, those who have
served n year 10 have their commissions
dated from the expiration Of their first
years service. and on passing a physical
examination 10 be commissioned CAPTAIN
after two years service. Extra pay is al
lowed 10 contract surgeons on their honor
able discharge If they have served outside
Of the United States, and travel pay and
allowances are provided. The bill gives to
contract surgeons preference for appoint
ment in the Medical Corpse of the Army and
the Navy and in the Marine Hospital Ser
vice, and opens to them the National Homes
for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers.
tn bill is very complete. and appears 70
10 do full Justice to the acting assistant
surgeons. These medical men have proven
their value in the field in Cuba, Porto Rico,
and the Philippines, a. well as AT the forts
and posts of this country. They have
served under fire. and, except for the alb
sence Of the cross Of 81. John from their
collars, lave been ind~istinguishable from
the permanent Army medical staff. The
bill will not involve any large amount Of
money, and its passage will not create any
other precedent than that Of keeping a
promise. We see no reason why the bill
should not pass.