Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1916-12-14

for the regiment. beside what they had
amount of s60.6S2.55, an average
above that which the ordinary man
would have spent for the same in that
period had he remained at home.
Every man has q sweater in addition
to the regular army overcoat and
ample changes of both underwear and
outside garments. One man, for in
stance. since he has been at the bor-
der. has ordered and received one new
belt, two new pair cotton breeches,
two new pair wooden breeches. one
service coat, one woolen coat. one hat,
ten pair drawers, three pair gloves,
three pair leggings, four flannel shirts,
five pair shoes, thirteen pair wooden
stockings, and ten undershirts. Most
of the men have drawn less than their
allowances, which they have found
more than ample, and are saving the
money. which will be held to their ac-
count by the government and given
them in cash when they are mustered
out.
Plenty To Eat
Every man sleeps in a large, roomy
tent, fioored with boards and equipped
with an air-tight camp stove. Each
has a cot and three heavy blankets and
the food is as good as at home, al
though often not quite of home va
riety.
Captain Schell. who will leave for
the border about January 8, brought
the following letter to the editor of
The Telegraph from Colonel Finney:
The Colonefs letter:
i. For the information of the
public and to correct erroneous inn
pressions that apparently exist in Har-
risburg, bearing upon the conditions
at Camp Stewart near Ell Paso, Texas,
1t is my desire that you advise your
readers as to the following:
y. Under General Orders Nos. AZ
and ~, War Department, current SER
les, provision is made for the financial
relief of enlisted men having depen-
dent families, j. e.. wife, children or
dependent mothers. These orders
nave been read to every man in the
regiment and method of procedure TO
obtain relief explained TO the men by
their company officers, applications
under the order were made by men as
early as September Is, and of the
eighteen applications filed with the
Depot Quartermaster, Washington.
d. e., by one of the companies, thir-
teen were granted. two refused and
three remain unacted upon at this
date. Men are fling applications
daily, the money in case of claim be-
ing valid and within the provisions of
the order is forwarded from Washing
ton direct to the family of the soldier.
Printed applications have always been
on hand and readily obtainable upon
request at the adjutant's office of this
regiment and method of procedure to
er's headquarters in each company as
s also copy of the orders. Any de-
serving case is granted by the war de-
partment and their handling of appli-
cations is fair, prompt and liberal. 1t
is not the purpose, however, of open
ing the fund as a grab-bag and any
attempt to do so will meet a just re-
buff. There is no disposition on the
part of the government to delay action
on applications; rather the reverse.
but it is useless to file claims that are
excessive in amount or undeserving.
1t is the intent to give relief to fam
lilies that have no other income except
the pay of the soldier, adequate for
the support of his family, and the
amount In no case will exceed what
the soldier was contributing to the
support of his dependents June IS.
1916.
"3. All of the above is thoroughly
understood by organization command
ers of this regiment, who were early
in receipt of the War Department or
ders and early provided with all nee
essary blanks by myself. The receipt
to-day of letters from Harrisb burg and
.
papers show that some one at home
harbors the idea that the officers are
not alive to the interests of their men
or are lacking in efficiency. 1t is
rather surprising that we must look
back to our home locality for the only
hint or suggestion rejecting upon the
intelligent administration of the af-
fairs OF this regiment. 1t is a well es-
tablished and generally recognized
fact that the Eighth Pennsylvania In
fantry is better and more fully equip
ped with all the necessities and COM
forts than any other National Guard
regiment and most of the regular
regiments on the border. The issues
of food and clothing have been fully
up to the needs and all of the COM.
panies have money savings on their
rations. We are one of very few regi-
ments provides with cot, bedsack
and three blankets for every enlisted
man. This regiment was the first reg
iment in the Pennsylvania Division to
receive from the Federal Government
in this camp. the large pyramidal
squad tents. sufficient in number to
accommodate every enlisted man.
Over eighty per cent. of these tents
were f1oored almost Immediately after
being received and erected early last
summer, and are all now provided
with stoves. All men have in addition
to the two olive drab uniforms, extra
breeches. ample supply of shoes, suit
able underwear. sweaters, overcoats
and woolen gloves.
a. Harrisburg should feel that the
interest of her young men now serving
here are identical with the interest of
their officers and that the officers are
constantly on the alert for anything
that may be developed to the mems |
comfort and needs. Also, that depart |
mental orders are received here and |
read and digested before
they reach the public and If action is |
necessary, such action is promptly |
taken.
"5. If recruiting is opened for this |
regiment at the United States Army |
recruiting station in the city, it is |
urged that all young men of good |
moral character avail themselves of
the opportunity to connect themselves |
with one of the Harrisburg Compan-
les of the Eighth, ID, /, headquarters |
supply or machine gun companies, all |
of which will be located at Harrisburg, |
after this tour of duty, as permanent |
National Guard organizations. There |
are also a few enlisted men needed in !
the medical corps of the Eighth and |
young drug clerks are especially ac-
ceptable. although any young man
who desires to learn the work of first |
aid and sanitation will be taken care
of to his advantage.
IN. E. FINNEY,