The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-04-08
Az OLD SOLDIERS PROTEST.
Much Nonsense written About the Hard.
ships Of Army Life.

To THE EDITOR OF THE SUN--S,r. The
articles IN Harpers Weekly contributed
by one Charles johnson Post are I'M
doubtedly attracting much attention. and
probably they have had some effect
among those who are given to maudlin
sympathy. Mr.. Post takes exception to
the fact that soldiers have to indulge in
such dreadful tasks as unloading ashes
sweeping walks. driving teams and the
other duties necessary In routine garrison
life. These tasks have to be done, and
as the Government doesn't provide Wallets
and attendants. the soldiers naturally
have to wait on themselves I believe that
IL falls to the lot OF many civilians to
perform the self-same tasks. Mr. Post
has taken particular pains to pick out
the worst phases OF military life and ex-
pard them az much az possible.
II IL true that men desert: just why.
Il is often hard TO determine. II 10 rare
that a good man so far forgets himself
as to violate his oath TO his country and
his God and desert the nag. In my long
service OF forty years as an en-
listed man. both active and retired, I
have known many deserters. have
known men to desert half a dozen times
or more from different organizations. OF
a rowing nature they were contented no.
where. Many OF them were worthless
and diss!pated. and found the just re-
qu!rements OF military life not at all TO
tn'Ai Niu'H
has been wasted on the deserter and hi.
kind. but what about the soldier who
serves his country according TO his CON
tract? He should I've considered and com
mended
What does the army offer to the soldier
who does his duty His pay on the ac-
tive list ranges all the way from SIS TO
500 a month, according to length of SER
vice. and in addition ne receives board
clothing, comfortable quarters, including
rub and shower baths. gymnasium, also
time for baseball and other sports He
is also provided with medical and dental
services. II he is so inclined he may
deposit some OF his pay with the Govern
ment and draw per cent. interest. which
is forfeited only by descrtion. Burroughs
are given. sometimes for months and
upon hs return the soldier IL paid not
only the sum due for the period he was
away bu, the money value OF ratlons for
the same time
Many men who are studiously inclined
have reached commission rank They
include all grades from sec ond lieutenant
To leutenant-general. There are scores
Of officers In the army to-day who first
wore the blue OF the enlisted soldier
Several completed the West Point course
The discipline in the army is no more
severe than in civil life wherever YOU
work YOU must obey. In the service YOU
cannot he discharged at a moments
notice.
The retirement feature is one OF the
grand things of the service. All men who
have served for thirty years are retired
on three-quarters OF their pay and allow
ances, which may be all the way from
s+3 TO s99 month. This the retired
soldier gets for the rest OF his life, and
nothing more is required OF him than to
sign his muster card once month
Many soldiers marry Some of these
have had sons raised TO commissioned
rank. My son. born in the army. is to-
day a commissioned officer In all my thirty
Nxars active service I never faced n
court martial. and was punished but once.
when | richly deserved II. There are
thousands OF men In the service to-day
who can say "a much or better
Human nature Is the same In the army
as out ~ Il. There are good mon and bad
men everywhere. There are soldiers In
the guard house and civilians IN the falls
Soldiers desert the army and civilians
desert their wives and children An army
without discipline simply could not exist
II Ia unpatrotic FOR any citizen to con-
denim the army after reading few court
martial orders. II IL sad 10 note that
the martial spirit Of the country Is de.
cln!ng There IL too much mollycoddle
and not enough man,
God bless the army and all Il stands
for Had I my forty years to live over
again II would hr the starry banner for
mine ] would give II as fixed opinion
that II every young man would put in a
year or two with the colors he would he
stronger and wiser and perhaps more
patriotic G NJ MILLER. T. 3 A.
HIGHLAND FALLS, April :