The Washington herald., 1913-08-25

funds, and were forced TO borrow money
to ride TO their homes. They have been
! I'm Washington since August Il, but no
date has as yet been set for disbursement.
Col. Ourand said that it was hoped that
they would be paid this week.
Most Of the recent complaints have been
because of the failure TO pay salaries.
Statements in one of the letters, with re-
plies by Col Ourand are as follows:
'"The men of the National Guard are
not getting a square deal. It has been
more than a week since they returned
from the annual encampment at Har-
pers Ferry and no move has been made
to pay them. Several reports are being
spread to ease things. We stand ready
to refute each one OF them. First, they
say that all property must be checked
up before our pay is forthcoming. Ours
was checked up before we left camp, and
they have no authority to withhold our
pay after checking"
Col. Ourand said. in reply: Because
the War Department charges the Ma
tional Guard officers with loss of prop
erty, it was decided this year to with
hold pay until the equipment was safe
at the armory. Heretofore we have been
paid on leaving camp. Usually II has
taken several months for officers to OBJ
tain the equipment, so il was decided
not 10 pay until il had been returned. .
The writer of the letter continues:
THE National Guard has no right to
withhold for any reason Federal pay
Now it is said that the pay rolls must
be sent to Gen. Harries for his signature
Why did not Gen. Harries sign them
while at camp, and. failing to do that.
why did he not remain In Washington
long enough afterward TO do it?''
Could Not lie Prepared In Camp.
To this Col. Ourand answered: The
District is saved a great deal Of money
by the combination OF District and Fed
eral pay rolls. The pay rolls could not
be made ready at camp. and payment
could not have been made until equip
ment was returned TO the armory here"
He was unable. to reply TO the second
charge-that Gen. Harries neglected his
duty BY leaving Washington before he
had finished his work.
The Guardsmen say: why do not
District officials get a commandins on
Ger that uyes IN the District, and not
chase clear over to the Central West
for one?'
Col Ourand said: lien. harrIes mas
been resident OF the District. He makes
frequent visits here TO attend to Ma
tional Guard business. His family re-
sides here"
Usually when the head OF an organI-
zatiOn is absent" continues the guards
man, "the next in command has the au-
thority to sign all papers. Col. Ourand
is acting comma nder. and he is here
Why didn't he sign them
THE law says" answered Col. Ourand.
that such papers must be signed by the
Brigadier General.
CrIticises Officers.
In conclusion, the writer charges: "AIl
through the year the men are supposed
TO attend drills regularly. be prompt
when they do attend. and then are ex-
pected TO go to camp and work like dogs.
They are entitled TO be met with prompt
ness by the commander and their pay
given them without delay. What is more,
the men higher up should be forced 10
nay promptly oI''be dealt with accord
iRgly. II the men took their own sweet
time to do their work they would be dis
honorably discharged. The commander
are paid for one thing. and they are TAX
ing their time to do It. They should be
dealt with, for the pay corps is either
incompetent, in the hole or doesn't
care"
1T is true that there never has been
any delay in paying the troops" said Col
Ourand. The payrools could not be
signed before they reached Washington.
/ cannot say why Gen. HarrieS. did not
remain here to sign them. 1t IL not the
fault of the pay corps. They had to send
the payrools by mail for the signature
of Gen. Harries at Louisville. He has not
them. 1t is thought by officers
of the pay corps that the men will be
paid this week. Until Gen. Harries re-
turns them. we cannot pay salaries