Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-01-19
MORE PAY FOR ARMY
HOD CARRIERS MAKE MORE
THAN SECOND LIEUTENANTs.

I'm San Francisco a bricklayer, plas-
terer or plumber receives more pay than a
captain of twenty years service stationed
at any Of the ports near that city. even
considering the latter's quarters at the
Communication of his grade. A bod carrier
in the same city receives more pay than a
second lieutenant" This statement was
made by Brig, Gen. Frederick Funston In
his annual report to the Secretary of War
In his capacity of commander of the De-
partment of California He makes a strong
plea for an increase of army pay, not for
the officers just entering the service. he
says. but the increase for length Of serv-
ice should be much greater than at present.
He says: mo one believes that army Off
GERS should. even in the smallest degree. at
tempt to compete in style of living and In
display with persons Of wealth. but they
should be able to live decently, maintaining
their families in comfort and educate their
children without being continually har-
assed by the question of keeping out Of
debt"
Continuing he says: "Of even greater i'm
portance than the question of officers pay
Is that OF the enlisted men of the service,
for the army will always have all Of the
officers authorized by law, regardless of the
increase Of pay. but the very existence of
the army is threatened II wages in civil life
continue to rise. unless steps are taken to
Increase the pay OF the rank ana ME OF the
army. 1t Is a notorious fact that recruits
are obtained with great difficulty and that
many organizations are below authorized
strength. The wonder Is, that with the
wretched pay offered. the army obtains as
many good men as 1t does. But few of
them re-enlist after their first term Of serv-
Ice and many desert in the first few
months. The statement that the United
in any occupation in the country today
cannot be refuted. There Is no valid .rea
son why this should be the case. A 80 per
cent increase in the pay of non-commis-
stoned officers and like increase for pri-
Yates after their first enlistment should
work a revolution in holding to the service
the best Of the men we now have
Demands of Labor.
Gen. Funston found himself much OBJ
structed in improving the military posts
by the high price Of labor In San Francisco
and vicinity. a condition much aggravated
by the great demand for labor to rebuild
the city recently destroyed by fire. Says,
Gen. Funston: I'm addition to the fact that
abnormally high wages are being paid. the
building trades in that city are completely
dominated by tyrannical and unreasonable
labor unions, who harass builders and con-
tractors almost beyond endurance by sense
less strikes and bOycotts.'
Therefore Gen Funston recommends that
all construction work on the army posts be
carried On by the labor of general prisoners,
as was done In the case Of the barracks on
Alcatraz Island Says he: "If such
course would throw men in civil life out of
employment 1t would not be advocated, but
such is not the case"
Defense Auxiliaries.,
Gen. Funston does not wish any more
guns or empacements in San Francisco
bay, nor. for that matter. In any other bar
Dor SO adequately protected In that respect
He says the crying need is rather for aux
iliaries. such as powerful searchlights. fire
control systems. adequate subma rine mine,
defenses and the accumulation of an am
munition reserve. He says: "One does not
need to be ordnance or artillery expert
to know that it would be suicidal for the
most powerful fleet in the world to engage
in serious battle with the seacoast de-
lenses of San Francisco, or attempt to run
by them If they were adequately manned
and the auxiliaries mentioned were re-
stored AS a matter of fact. he says there
are not nearly enough men to man the ex-
listing defenses; even the pending artillery
bill would not provide sufficient number,
SO he strongly urges the creation of a re-
serve composed of men returned to civil
life from one term Of enlistment in the
army.