The broad ax., 1907-09-21
WASHINGTON LETTER


l. lnpSciai correspon6snca.1 ~ 4
/ Small pay Is the main reason fot de
sartioiH from the army, according d
the annual report Of Major General A
w. 0reely. commanding the northern
division, which incl1des the depart
menfs of the lakes. the Dakotas and
| Missouri sas a.s1 80
This factor. General Greedy says
b seconded by the lack OF the canteen
resultant trouble In dives surrounding
the army posts, and the low standard
and general worthlessness Of recruits-
!, The moral deterioration Of tbs recruits
d characterized as coroIlary Of the
small pay.
The Pay Of Soldiers.
General Greedy urges Increase Of pay
Of officers and men, Eve year term
Of enlistment, material increase in
strength Of the infantry and restora-
ton of the canteen privileges to the ex.
tent OF selling beer. He recommends
that the pay proper to all enlisted men.
except recruits of less than one years
service, be increased from 20 to 50
per cent. and that the minimum penal
" for desertion should never be less
than the unexpired term OF enlistment.
General Greedy urges the necessity
Of materially increasing the pay OF Of
hcers and declares that unless 1t Is
contemplated the army shall be Of
feered from an aristocracy Of wealth,
for an oficer's position is fast becom-
ing impossible for a man without pri-
vate income, increased pay should be
given him He says the minimum In
fantry strength should be fifteen regi-
meuts, but If duty In Cuba and on the
isthmus Is to be part OF the army
work it should be twenty regiments.
Army Ration Criticised.
General Greedy holds that the army
ration, while excellent in quality and
doubtless of sufficient nutririve value,
In quantity and variety does not salts
fy the American soldier.
He suggests that various edibles
found on every American table, even
Of the poorest people, are entirely
lacking in the army ration, although
they appear on the naval list.
May Change Army Uniform.
The plan to provide the enlisted men
Of the army with a more serviceable
uniform is engaging the attention Of
officials Of the war department. This
subject has been agitated for some
time, and the need of a uniform more
practical for everyday service purposes
is gradually becoming more apparent.
Various recommendation are made
BY officials Of the department as to
the style to be adopted. Colonel L. IL.
Maus, who has had much experience
with soldiers In the field. believes that
the present regulation felt hat is not
adapted for campaigning purposes in a
hot or tropical climate. The infantry
marching trousers, he declares, should
be made full around the knees and the
cuff extended down the leg far enough
to be inclosed by the top of the march
ing shoe, thus doing away with the
Logging.
Government Workers Organize.
The Government Employees Mutual
Relief and Cooperative association has
been launched by employees OF the
national government In this city, and
plans are now being perfected for the
permanent organization OF the associa-
tion-
Only employees Of the United States
government and Of the government of
the District Of Columbia, employed
within the District, are entitled to
membership. 1t is proposed to estab-
lish an insurance department, whereby
a memkeE can obtain Insurance pr0tec-
ton BASED upon the plan of 'iold linz
life insurance companies without hay-
ing to pay the charge Of those eompa-
mics for agents commissions, mainte-
nance, etc. The policies win have guar.
antee cash surrender and loan values
and win ofrer all Of the advantages Of
the policy Of regular insurance COM
pany-fnsurance protection to be ex-
tended to life, health. accident and old |
age insurance.
To Estas1ish Savings Bank.
Il Is also, proposed to establish g |
savings bank building association, In
which the reserve necessary 20 protect
the insurance policies In force win be
invested and which win be required
70 earn 4 per cent interest. It Is pro-
posed to lend money to members Of the |
association on proper security at q
rate In excess Of the required earn
inss as WI pay the operating ex-
penses- OF the bank. = as,qas Ts
0thee1 features WfH b added from
time to tine asgood business methods
direct. A twothirds vote OF the total |
membership Is necessary for the cleo
tion Of officers an Of whom are to Be |
bonded.
Hemass to thS Persistent.
me new union railroad STATEN here
WIN Be supplied with unique feature
"a special entrance and reception
room for the president Of the United |
States. The presidents entrance IL an
archway OK marble thirty feet In
width.
On aIlghting from his carriage be-