The Washington times., 1904-01-03
District Guardsmen Indig-
nant Over His Denying
Them What Is Allowed
Soldiers in Army.
REFERENCE TO AUDITOR
"0FFICIAL SUICIDE"
Indoor Rifle Practice, Begin
ming Tomorrow Evening
in Armory, Will Continue
Until Spring.

Line officers of the District National
Guard are indignant over the attitude
assumed by Gen. George H. Harries in
holding UP the prize money and pay
of the Guardsmen who performed SER
vice at Sea Girt. n. J., last fall. A pub
lished article. alleged to have been in
spired. falls especially under their con-
domination.
This article. after relating a rumor
that some claims for Sea Girt pay have
been filed with the Treasury Depart
ment. goes on to quote an officer. I'M
named. but asserted to be in close
touch with militia headquarters, who
terms the action an attempt to over
ride the brigade commander" and char
acterizes IL as official suicide" and as
terminating the usefulness" of such
claimants as members of the Guard.
Official Suicide.
The attempt to make the filing Of a
claim for compensation appear as in
subordination is vigorously condemned.
The veriest rookie in the army" said
an officer of experience, has a consti-
tutional right to have his financial dues
determined by an accounting officer of
the Government. in any case of differ
ence of opinion. The free exercise of
this right neither the Paymaster Cen
eral nor the Lieutenant General himself
would assume to curtail, much less FOR
bid In fact, recourse to the Auditor
Is had by army officers and enlisted
men daily. and is an established Gus
tom OF the service
Ofhcers of the Guard assert that Cen
eral HarTies is, himself well aware that
such is the usual and an eminently prom
er procedure. relating in support OF their
assertion the alleged fact that he as
colonel OF the District Volunteers. filed
such claim himself In 1895. in view of
which they look upon his attempt 10
prevent such action by them as HttJe
short Of tyranny
Open to Criticism.
The attitude taken by the command
ing general. II IS alleged, has laid the
Guard open TO unfavorable criticism bv
those best versed in military law. and
the customs of the service.
The first duty OF an officer" say
these regulars. lis TO see that his men
are properly cared for. and that they
get all that is due them. whether OF
food. clothing. or pay
General Harries. however. takes the
position that while his men might be
PAD, are entitled to pay under the Dick
OH, ana would receive the same II he
would make requisition for money. stiIl
they should not receive paw because
ne told them beforehand they would NOT
receive it, And having blocked the nav
ment Of the money by every legitimate
means In his power. the men are dis
couraged. 1t is alleged. from resortinc 70
.ne regular military procedure by vague
threats OF Official suicide"
Is Not an Appeal.
claim fled with the Auditor IS NOT
however an appeal, the officers contend
II IS request" said one officer vas-
terday. for a formal construction Of the
law as applied 90 an individual case
mere are no papers on appeal. but the
matter partakes OF the nature of an
eN parte proceeding. The Auditor he
comes attorney for both sides, and Is
anxious, equally with the claimant
that a claim, II valid. be allowed In
the matter OF pay for militiamen at Sea
Sirt, IL has already been decided that
they are entitled to IT, The only now
question IN the present instance is
whether the money due can be Maid
over 10 the men legally without the re-
quest CT the brigade commander"
A Similar Case.
The Army and Navy Journal" in its
- last issue says the Comptroller of the |
treasury has decided in the case of
the Georgia militiamen who went 20 |
sea Girt that they are entitled to nav
LOT their services. The case OF the ,
georgia men Is analogous TO that OF
the Dlstrlct Guardsmcn. except that the !
governor or Georgia, upon ascertaiufne
tUat nus men were entitled to paw. made 4
immediate requisition for It. whereas /
the commanding general OF the District
mlhtia has declined 10 do so.
General Harries says the prize money
"hlch ne no" holds should be turned
INTO the stan fund. declaring thot to
expenses Of the men to Sea Girl No.
betrayed from that fund. and tbst q.
vas also used for the entertainment ~
inc men when they returned succars
ful- Under General Ordway the s,,c-
cesstui men were masnificentIv enter
talHed. out under General Harries IN.
men assert their treatment has be.7
different
A veteran member OF the team, say
this; The only time the brigade tear,
has been entertained from the star f,,n1
since General Harries took commend
was the last year that We won the Hin
Ton trophy The team was met bv an
escort OF the station on it's return froo,
sea Girt The men were marched 10
headquarters. where they listened 10 +,
congratulatory speech from General
t5arries, who then. waving his hand
announced Major Parmenter viii nov, {
take you In charge. To a Dutch saloon !
on New York Avenue near Seventh I
street northwest, we were marched posi- I
haste, and as we fled in Major par :
menter SAID. Now. boys. helm your a
selves IN view OF the fact that no man 8
who takes a drink OF beer can servo on
the brigade team second time. the t
boys an TOOK ginger ale. an expense to [
the stan fund OF 10 cents per man a
Lieutenant MarshalPs View.
Fist Lieut. Henry r. Marshall. OF Tho =
First Battery Field Artillery. was shown y
4 published interview ia which General 4
HsTries said the battery. because OF its Il