Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-10-13
REPORT OF GEN. BATES
OVER So, 600 ENLISTED MEN DE-
PosIT PART OF THEIR PAY.
Why the Privilege Should Be Extended
to Oficers-Increased Work
of the Pay Corps.

Gen Bates a. ;, psy3ss.sH general of the
officers of the pay department accounted
for si2.6z5,950 during the last fiscal year
OF which amount sss3 $40 .6eI was expended
on account of pay of the army and mileage
to officers During the year 81 55l e.l ssed
men deposited 81 sss.o14 with the pay de-
partment, and deposits amounting 10
s., 1S4. 122. with sl23.29S interest, were re-
paid to 59.96s soldiers. Since May Is. 1872,
the date. Of the pass age of the act author
izing such deposits. the total deposits hare
amounted to $23. III .GfS, and the total re-
payments to $40 $780, 47. with 81 .2S3 Gs2 in
terest. and the amount now remaining to
the credit of the depositors is S3,31G.6T1.
Deposits Of Officers Paw.
1t is much to be regretted. says Cen
Iates. that the House of Representatives
at the last session of Congress failed TO
aoopt the Senate provision In the army APP
preparation bill for the deposit by officers
y. the army on the active list of their
savings upon the same terms provided for
enlisted men. Very few officers" said the
paymaster general. In recommending legis-
lation to that end have at any time more
money than will meet their current needs
but In times of hostilities and during for
elgn service, when officers would presun-
ably be far removed from banking in sti-
tCtlons Or opportunities to use them If
would be to their incalculable advantage
and mental relief If they were nriviIe0ed
10 deposit part of their monthly nav for
safekeeping by the government 1t is not
necessary that the officer should receive the
same interest on deposits that enlisted men
are allowed ~ or per cent would doubt
less be entirely satisfactory to them
Aside from considera tons of accommo-
oation OF the officer. the safekeeping of his
savings and certain provision for his fam
liy through undrawn deposits in event of
death. the government. by the adoption of
such system. would encourage prudent
and thriftful habits In the Commissioned
as well as the enlisted forces of the army"
Inc paymaSter general saws that tho
present law detailing captains from the limo
1or duty In the pay department works adj
mlrably. and the only change he recon-
mends Is that instead Of the details being
made from the captains of the line thev
be made from first lIeutenants and that
the officers so detailed be given the rank
pay and allowances of captains mounted
:, Legislation is recommended for the set
Element of claims for longevity nav and
allowances Of officers Of the regular army
arising under the act of July s. 1898. with
out regard to the lapse of time. and that
In these settlements credit be given for
services rendered as cadet at the Mill
tary Academy and as an enlisted man or
commissioned officer in the regular and
volunteer armies
Payments to Militia.
The provisions of the new militia law when
fully awaited Of by all the states. the paw
master general says, must result in ma
terial increase in the work Of the office. as
all accounts for payments to militia,
whether by state disbursing officers under
section ii or by army paymasters under
section 10. will be required to pass the add
mlnlStratlve scrutiny of the Office before
transmittal to the auditor for the War De-
partment Thus far, fourteen states have
participated. or given notice that they will
participate. with regular troops in maneu-
vers under section 49,. involving payments
by army paymasterS of twenty-five regi-
nents and several battaIions, separate COM
panies and attachments, and it Is proba BILE
that during the season more than that
officers under section IA.
Gen. Bates commends the industry and
efficiency of the members of the
clerical force of hf5 n office s. IAN de-
mands upon them for work at extra
hours" he says. shave been promptly
and cheerfully responded to, with the re-
suit that all arrearages of work consequent
upon the muster out of the late volun-
'teers and the reduction Of the army to its
present strength have been brought up to
date, and 1t is believed that the business
of the office has never been more promptly
transacted than at the present time The
reduction of the enlisted strength of the
army does not, however, in the same de-
gree diminish the work of the Office,
the number of organizations and officers
remains the same. requiring the same num-
Der of vouchers and pay rolls to be handled,
examined and disposed Of