The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1903-10-20
The Pay of tho Army.

Brig. Gen. FREDERICK FUNSTON, in a
recent official report, submits an argyll
ment for an increase in the pay Of the
rank and file of the Regular army. Gen.
FUNsToN's experience in the army has
been neither wide enough nor sufficientl,'
prolonged to qualify him as an exert
| authority on such matters, but the
point he raises, not at all a new one, is
| deserving of more attention than it will
probably receive.
| 1t is doubtful if the men who compose
the army to-day, taken en- masse, are
widely different from those who filed
it's ranks prior to the war with Spain.
Yet new conditions have arisen, and there
is full reason for a belief that, from some
cause or causes, service in the ranks OF
the army is regarded as less desirable
as an occupation than it was in earlier
days This is indicated by the difficult
ties encountered by the enlistment Off
GERS, by the limited number Of re-enlist-
ments and by the abnormal record OF
assertions.
Doubtless one of the operating indu-
ences lies in the fact that the better sort
of men in the social strata from which
our enlisted soldiers are chiefly drawn
have little difficulty during these days Of
we'll paid labor in finding more remuner-
alton and more generally acceptable en-
ployment than that offered by military
service. Yet it is doubtful if even doub-
ling Of the present rate of sl3 month
would in itself prove notable induce
ment to enlist The sum now paid is
so petty that under the existing circum-
stances it is little else than an invitation
to the incompetent, to those who, in a
time Of general industrial activity, lack
the ambition or the intelligence or the
ability to do any better. 1t is, on the
whole, quite remarkable that 80 many
suitable men are obtained.
But it is also doubtful whether the
financial feature of the case is the de-
termining factor, although it's influence
may be admitted. There are those to
whom the mode of life makes it's special
appeal, just as others turn to mechanics
or to medicine from natural inclination.
The uniform, the gun, the drill, the sad
die of the cavalryman. these and other
features Of soldiers life appeal to some
In time Of peace even as others are moved
by patriotism or love Of excitement in
time OF war While the soldier may
grumble about his pay, 1t Is not often
that money is the only reason for his
enlistment.
There is one aspect Of the question
which commissioned officers have long
recognized. 1t is probable that in the
opinion Of a large majority of line, field
and general officers very material in
crease in the pay of the non-commis-
stoned officers who are chosen from the
rank and file is desirable. As the case
now stands, the increase in the pay Of
corporals and the various grades of
sergeants, beyond that of the ordinary
private, is in no way commensurate
with the increase in work and RESPONSE
bilty. The slight distinction in rank is
undoubtedly an object to some, but there
goes with il n strong sense Of wholly in
adequate remuneration.
For instance, it has been said that ut
takes more ability to be good first
sergeant than 1t does to run staff corps I"
A first sergeant gets 325 u month. In
his handbook on THE Customs OF the
Service" Col. POWELL says OF the first
sergeant: He must have capacity and
intelligence and the welfare Of his COM
pany continually in mind; he must
possess, and govern with, quick, just and
clear perception; he knows all that COOS
on in the company, and. next TO the Cap