New-York tribune., 1916-07-08
Employers of 69th's
Men Withhold Pay
From a star Correspondent q Tie Tribune


Camp Whitman, Green Haven, y. y
July 7.. With the official announce
ment this afternoon that the 69th
would entrsin for the border Tuesday
came 20 light the fact that underneath
the Joy of the fghting lrishmen there
is an clement of tragedy. In nearly
every company there are from one
~ a score of men troubled as to what
will become of their families If the
firms that have promised to keep on
having them continue TO withhold
their salaries There are many such
firms. and most of the men affected
believe that their employers merely
wished to benefit by the publicity
their bounty afforded them.
The seth is affected more than any
other regiment because of the large
number Of abOrers. A list given out
by Adjutant Felix A. Donnelly to-day
revealed such occupations as brick
layers. pipe and gas filters. tin roof
ers. drill runners, walters, bra1ers,
tin foil workers, rollers, butchers,
SINNERS, elevator operators, drivers,
cooks. blacksmiths and bakers. Oddly
enough, the greatest offenders are the
city and state. Most of the Civil
Service employees IN the regiment have
so far not received their salaries.
II was reported to-day that Chaplain
Duffy had left for the city 20 take up
the matter Of pay with several firms
that had promised 20 keep their men on
the salary list and thus far have neg
lected TO do so. Captain Michael A.
Kelly. Of Company +, said that IN his
command alone six men had been
forced 20 quit their places IN the regl-
ment because their firms refused 10
continue paying them.
City Fails TO Pay.
One man in Company b, holder Of
city Job, said that he had received no
answers 70 numerous queries addressed
10 the department in which he IS en-
ployed John Mshoney and Joseph
Higginson, Of Company A, both en-
poyed by the same firm, complained
that two months pay had been prom.
ised them. but that thus far they had
not received a cent. Manoney IS the
sole support of his small sister and
Higginson Of an invalid father and SIS
ter In Company + Bernard Kelly, W.
f. Kelly. Sergeant Stewart Clinton,
Walter Grant, Tim Kennedy and John
J. Sullivan were among the complain
ants against the state, city and private
firms.
u don't know what 70 do" said Arti-
fcer Raymond Minor. My boss prom
sed to pay Ee, but ne hasn't given me
a red cent. I've got 70 have the money
or my family will starve.'
In marked contrast TO some OF the
firms that have failed 20 keep their
promise is the case Of Corporal John
Cassidy. thrifty young lrishman, who
owns the Cumberland Taxicab Com
pany. When he left the city he tool!
into his command, Company {, six of
mis- chauffeurs. lie is paying Private
Cullen, Conway. Denan, Brennan, Nc
Keegan and McNulty sl9.25 a week as
long as they are in the regiment, and
will give them back their jobs when
they return 10 New York.
"Im losing all the profit ever
made" said Corporal Cassidy this af-
ternoon. but what Of that when their
families and country both need these
six lads ."
The n to-day won the race to he the
first regiment m camp 10 leave for the
border Colonel Andrews's command
broke camp early this morning. The
main body adhered to schedule time By
leaving camp at noon. Headed by their
band. the boys from upstate marched
past the cheering ranks of the 22d and
69th By o'clock the best equipped
command in the state had finished en-
training.
The 69th passed through the regular
Federal physical examination to-day.
Only few ot the mon we're dropped.
Company G., commanded by Captain
Felix McShcrry. got 100 per cent.