Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-10-06
URGES INCREASED PAY
Recommendations of General
Dodge in His Annual Report.
SOCIAL DRAINS ON OFFICERS
Hard for the Commissioned, Men to
Keep Out of Debt.
SAVINGS OF ENLISTED MEN
Over $27, ooo, 900 Has Been Deposited
Since 1s72-Retirement Fund
for Clerks Favored.
SOCIAL DRAINS ON OFFICERS
SAVINGS OF ENLISTED MEN

"In the nine years from July 1, 1897. to
June 3d. 1905, embracing the period covered
by the Spanish war and the subsequent
Cuban and Philippine SERVICE the sum of
1919 .62O. 401 has been handled by the pay
department. all Of which has been duly ac-
counted for without a single dollar Of loss
to the government through improper trans
actions on the part Of disbursing officers.
I submit that this record reflects great credit
upon the personnel of the pay depart
ment. and likewise shows that the depart
ment's system Of accounting for public
money cannot well be improved
So says Gen. F. 8. Dodge, late paymaster
general Of the army, in report made to
the War Department just before his re-
tirement. in regard to the operations of the
pay department during the last fiscal year.
Favors Increased Pay.
Gen. Dodge makes a strong plea for In
creased pay for the army, both officers and
enlisted men. He gives figures to show
that officers must exercise great frugality
to avoid financial embarrassment, and he
says that even with the utmost economy
probably there are few officers having a
family and depending wholly upon their
pay who are not forced at some time or
another to run into debt to a greater or less
amount.
Being personally disinterested in the
NATTER says Gen. Dodge, "L am quite GER
tain 1 can view the situation dispassonate-
ly, and I have no hesitation In saying that
l believe the present communication rates for
quarters totally inadequate to reimburse
officers who are compelled to rent their
own houses.
Certain social duties devolve upon OFF,
GERS OF the army from which there Is no
possibility of escape. These duties are as
we'll known and fixed by custom as the
written law regulations. and are too we'll
known to require recountfng here. The
situation can be met at military posts, but
with officers on duty in cities the only re-
lief to be had must come from Congress.
ut seems hardly necessary to point out
that civil life offers much more successful
field for securing financial independence
than does the military, and it is doubtful
whether 1t would be possible to keep half
the full complement of officers in service
in times Of peace at the present rate of
compensation If 1t were not for the provis-
ion made by the retirement law for off,
GERS old age, and when retired for disa-
bility.
Equally with officers, the pay of the
enlisted men Of the army Is small COM
pensation for their services. This applies
to nearly all the grades. but more partic-
ularly to non-cOmmissioned officers While
the enlisted soldier is fed. clothed and
housed by the government. he believes. he
should get more in the way Of pay than
$13 per month. which Is the pay Of a pri-
vate discontinued army Is not an eff
Client one, and that our army Is discontinued
is shown by the large number of assertions.
It may not be true. and doubtless Is not,
that the matter Of poor pay Is responsible
to any considerable extent for desertion.
but undoubtedly 1t Is a factor in the case"
-. Savings of Enlisted Men.
table is submitted showing that deposits
amounting to $27. 7s9. 553.n were made by
enlisted men of the army from July 1. 1872.
when the deposit law went into effect, until
June 30, 1905. the amount for the last fiscal
year being 81. 495. 228O4. Gen. Dodge says
he regards this law of more advantage to
enlisted men than any other on the statute
books. and that 1t is appreciated by them
by the high average of deposits constantly
maintained.
He says that the allotment rolls give evil
dence that soldiers make provision to
considerable extent for their families and
relatives and that there are many men who
allot nearly all their pay for that purpose.
Gen. Dodge holds to the view that there
should be a permanent force in the pay de-
partment to consist Of the officers above the
rank of captain and says that IL such force
be not maintained, the efficiency Of the de-
partment Will be impaired as the higher
grades continue to be filled by detail from
the line.
Gen. Dodge insists that the pay depart-
but ought to have distinct military stand
ing. He says that the inhibition which pre-
cludes officers Of the pay department from
military command Is not only unreasonable
but unjust, and he recommends the repeal
Of the statute which provides for such in
hibition.
In closing his report Gen. Dodge makes
the following interesting statement regard
ing the clerical force of the paymaster gen.
erals office:
1.-The work of this Office is not now in ar
rears, but it is difficult to keep 1t up to date
at all times, owing to the limited clerical
force. This force should be increased and
reorganized and the salary tables readjust-
ed. An increase should be given in the
numbers of the higher grades in order that
Weli-deserved promotion may be given to
clerks having long. faithful and efficient
service In lower classification.
Retirement Fund Favored.
Provision should also be made for re-
firing clerks and messengers Of advanced
years and faithful service. In my opinion
legislation should be had upon the lines re-
quested and suggested by the employees
themselves; under which a retiring pay fund
should be created in the treasury by
monthly tax upon employees. pay. Until
there is such legislation the public service
will be burdened. and properly So with
an age when they cannot be expected to
render the most efficient service. In the
absence or any law Tor penSfontng superan-
nuated employees, bureau chiefs will hesi-
tate to make recommendation for regarding
or removals. In the interest of the service
and Of the employees some action in this d.
rection should be taken at an early day.
The service is hampered by keeping en-
ployes in positions they are not competent
to fill, and the employees are constantly hui
inflated by criticisms of inefficiency due to
old age. have been much impressed with
this condition in the last year, when there
has been so much comment upon this SUBJ
ject In Congress and the public press.
Judging from this comment it would seem
to be almost a crime for government en-
ploye to live to be over sixty-fv years Of
age. Instead of his advanced age emitting
him to respect he is constantly made to feel
that he is in the way and should efface him
self as soon as possible. I submit that this
implies a rather uncivilzed sentiment
"In any legislation on this subject how
ever, admission to the government service
of those who are to be beneficiaries of re-
tirement law should be confined to those
not exceeding, say, thirty years of age and