New-York tribune., 1916-07-07
One Who Would March.
The Tribune has received the following
letter:

The Tribune has received the following
letter:
To the Editor Of The Tribune.
Sir: Relieving that there are many many
more men in the country situated rs ""
nsk YOU TO be good enough 10 answer some
questions through your columns.
am an American. twenty-five. healthy and
not only capable OF going with the troops
should there be actual war with Mexico ou'
very anxiou. 20 do my share by standing
shoulder 70 shoulder with the boys when
and wbcre | am needed most. am an eX-
member Of the National Guard. having re-
ceived an honorable discharge some time ago
Though | am unmarried | am practlcaily
the sole support Of n family OF three, ana
should 20 with the boys the mcagre pay
of SIS month would not be drop IN the
buckct toward supporting them. nave Two
distinct duties to perform and, II ! possioly
can. will FIJI both Of them 70 the best OF III!
ability.
What arrangement will the government
make toward providing for my family shouid
recnlist now? How much viii IT provide
and when will the financial aid begn !
have life insurance policy Tor s2'ooo' 10
YOU suppose any patriotic man VINO cahhD'
90 because Of age or I'll health would a"-
vance money on such security until am DIS
charged from my duties, provided give MIN
crs, lien on said policy in case Of death and
my notes 10 he paid after return IN case
have that good fortune?
have read with interest the list you pup
lish daily o. those firms who have volun-
,e.red 70 continue tho pay Of their employees
who have gone with the militia. Why not
suggest 70 ,hs Merchants Association or
Soue such organization that they write every
Grr, Of every size and get their statement s'
TO what they will do for their employees
believe. and always have, that when
condition arises such as we now face win
Mexico every able bodied man who can stand
the hardship Of campaigning, knows now 10
handle a gun and can possibly relieve MN
self Of his home responsibilities should 80
gt once. | don't want TO wait until the news
comes thnt some of the boys, just as good as
|. have been killed because there were IN
sufficient numbers TO withstand the attack
II and others like mo go now the rlsk for
all will be less.
would like 20 know what 20 do not only
Tor myself but for others that arc also try
ing 20 fulfl double duty W. w H.
Brooklyn, July 3, 1916.
The problem thus set forth is worrying
many young men these days. Unfort-
unately. it is one the solution Of which
cannot come from any person but the
man concerned. The government makes
no provision for the families Of its sol
diers, save the pay Of the man in service
end a pension. if he be killed. In the
resolution drafting the National Guard,
the Senate voted down a proposal in
tended to meet such conditions as The
Tribune's correspondent relates, that the
government pay $50 a month, in addition
to the soldiers pay, to the families Of all
miltiamen dependent on the earnings Of
the men called to the front
Subsequently the House passed a bill,
now awaiting action by the Senate, ap-
propriating a lump sum for the relief OF
families of guardsmen. This bill leaves
to the discretion of the Secretary of War
the amount to be awarded to a family. 1t
also authorizes him, in his discretion, to
excuse from service guardsman with a
family entirely dependent on his earn
ings.
It is the knowledge Of the problem with
which Nv. W. H." is struggling that has
caused so many employers to guarantee
a continuance Of pay to guardsmen called
to the front. The man in uniform does
his duty to his country, faces danger,
makes sacrifices. 1t seems only fair and
decent that no penalty in the shape Of a
suffering family be added to his burdens.
Memories arc not yet gone Of the wives
and mothers Of soldiers Of the Civil War
who toilod from daylight until long after
dark in order to keep life in their bodies.
There is a more generous, juster spirit
in The land row--a spirit which dictates
division OF duties. The employer whose
business goes on is willing to make some
sacrifice Of profits TO set alongside the
sacrifices Of his employees who shoulder
lilies.
It is not az all impossible that "W. W.
rs" employer may be just enough AMI
patriotic enough to assume part of he
burden in this case, thus helping the
Young man to don the uniform once more
at least he should have the chance 20
make his contribution.