Evening journal., 1916-07-10
PAY FAMILIES OF MEN F.
IN military SERVICES.
Congressman Miller Regrets
Bill Does Not Apply to
Regulars, Too
CARE FOR DEPENDENTS
ONLY RIGHT, HE SAYS

Much interest is manifested in the
speech recently of Congressman
Thomas W. Miller before the House
at Washington favoring pending bill
to pay families of men of the drafted
forces a sum for their maintenance
while the men are in the military
service. Mr.. Miller's speech was as
follows:
"This measure, entitled a bill TO pay
to certain families of the men of the
drafted forces of the United States a
sum of money for their maintenance
during the term of service of such
drafted men in the service of the United
States, can aptly be called emergency
legislation, but nevertheless the exigen-
cies of the occasion demand that it shall
be passed and become q law as soon asI
possible | shall vote for this measure,
not only from the standpoint of duty,
but also with a feeling of personal
pleasure because I number among my
own acquaintance many whose families
will suffer by reason of their being draft
ed for this service The only criticism
that have is that the bill does not in
clude within its scope such enlisted men
of the regular establishment whose
families may be in need Of the same
help because all of the soldiers that we
are recruiting either as regulars or as
volunteers for service in Mexico or on
the border are of the same clay and have
the same purpose in view, viz, service
TO our country when they are called.
"This piece OF legislation needed at
this time should not be considered as
q precedent for the future, immediate
or distant. We should remember, how
ever. that the present Mexican situa-
ton has come upon us in the midst Of
a reorganization of our military
forces on land, both as they refer to
the regular army and to the National
Guard. Under the new army legisla-
ton the members of the National
Guard of the several States will know
lust what is expected Of them before
they enlist and therefore can be gov
erned accordingly
1T is hardly fair to ask those mem
bers of the National Guard in the va
rious States who have families or peo-
ple dependent upon them for their
verv existence. to leave those depen-
dents in view of the situation which
has caused the calling out of the Ma
tional Guard at this time. | say this
not to belittle in any way, the serious
situation that confronts this country
on our Southern border. but no one
will argue that It is a pressing
enough situation for numberless peo-
ple to be placed in position OF
ieopardv because the breadwinner OF
The family has been called into service
at This time. If the situation were
such that the country was in danger
from invasion and attack from an
enemy our equal. not only those VINO
constitute the present National Guard
of our states. but every able-bodied
male would have to go forth. leaving
his family or those dependent upon
him to fare as best they could IN
n,bicb event no one would be worse Oh
than his neighbor.
"On Saturday. June H. the men
u-ent IN their homes at the end OF the
weeks work with no inkling that a
,all into the Federal service would De
confronting them on Monday morning
Thev answered that call, as they were
hound TO do. and IN view OF the emer-
gency created and the conditions
touched upon above relating to tnls
nresent situation. l deem 1t only
nroper that an exception should be
made at this time and money ad'
vanced by Congress to aid the ram
lilies or dependents Of those men whe
have been drafted into the service o.
l. e.
"Since the call for the National
Guard we have seen evidences al
over the country that corporations
private employers and industrial con
Germs are doing their share in bear
ing the burdens of the present emer
gency. and II certainly is no grea
strain upon those Of us who we're no
in a position 10 be called upon to taxi
IN a slight measure Of those who arr
IN need by reason of the call.
I'm closing il IS only proper to sa'
that so far as have been able to fin'
out no man or set of men connectel
with the National Guard has aske
for this legislation, but it comes spon
taneously from the representatives o
the people in Congress assembled. an
is an evidence of the generosity Of thi
great government at time when It
help is most needed and then upol
no great expenditure Of its own
funds"