New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-03-18
PAY IN ARMY AND NAVY.
Why Are Not These Servants of the Govern
ment Worthy of Increase?

To the Editor OF The Tribune
Sir; Army ana navy officers, and the enlisted
men. too surely have feel grateful to such
newspapers as The Tribune, even II the editorials
and news matter failed TO convince Congress that
II was its duty 10 take the time to pass the bill
introduced 70 increase the pay OF the servants of
the government in its army and navy The army
and the navy need friends 10 advocate such Iegis-
lation as may be just and reaso nable. and It may
be said that some of the newspapers have done
more for them tnan has Congress itself: in other
words many OF the measures enacted by Congress
are due 10 their agitation by the newspapers which
have educated and informed and urged Congress to
act.
To emphasize the fact that the military and
naval branches OF the government need friends"
let me refer TO the order Of the commander in
chief In which it is declared that their personnel
must not attempt to influence legislation except
upon the express authority OF and approval by the
secretary or War or the Secretary of the Navy.
congress raised the pay Of its own members so
tne increase or cost OF living" ETC. but
cent Of increase or pay those servants OF the
government whose entire time of 365 days of each
ear az Is demanded by and given to the government.
90 o. NOT protest against congressman voting for
an an increase Of 80 per cent Of their pay. but
~ per cen, cent increase Of pay, Well. perhaps the
observed during the debate over the bill have
dHuueu 70 that there few peculiar utter
aces For instance one asked this; Would
Increase Of pay OF officers result in getting bet
ter class than are now in the servicesT' / do not
recall that such question was asked as 10 their
own personnel when tho bill to increase the sal
ares OF Congressmen was under consideration.
However II Is probable that an increase in the pay
scnedules all round would attract many excellent
young men to enlist who do not enter the
navy or army. 1t is not true. some infer, that
the enlisted force of to-day is community of
tound IN any other country than those tOsbe found
In the army and navy Of the United States
ISut !el me speak OF the navy. with which am
Host iaIllllar As for the officers. in what sphere
or business. professional military pursuit. this
or any other country. can there be found more
learned or a better class of men than those who
Congress legislation and the conclusion must be
iaborer is not paid the worth Of his hire Then. is
u any surprise that many of the junior officers
are pldceS open To- them at salaries from double
70 .quadrupIe what they receive In the navy:
large percentage Of the junior officers find It
OF them are head heels in debt: others would
be head over heels III debt II they were not fOrtu
niate enough 10 nave private income outside or
the navy pay An officer must maintain himself IN
the official and social scale else he and his far1ily
become mortified and ashamed that he cannot
mess expenses and the cost OF other necessarles
and other demands Of modern living have so far
TO keep their heads above the rising tide upon their
present salaries.
include those of the rank OF lieutenant commander
and below although the conditions apply TO those OF
higher rank TO a material extent; only a short
time ago Young officer or the rank OF Junior lieu
tenant asked admiral for his dauEhter's hand.
70 which the older officer RESPONDED: Want to ret
married TO my daughter, DO your well l think
can have a salary sufficient to feed and clothe
wife. Why. how on earth would YOU liVe!
yon did Hinrai WHEN ynu married. and You were
oTiy az easiga."
ycunGster lived INV fatheF-fh-law."
have never known more jealous better IN