The Liberal democrat. [volume] (Liberal, Kan.) 1911-1924, 1917-04-05
RECRUITING OFFICER
REFUTES EDITORIAL
Army Life Not Degrading: Pay
Is Adequate and Oppor-
tunitieS offered.

Mr.. ]. R. Burton, Salina, Kan:
In your editorial of January 16,
1917, you have made statements
which are derogatory to enlistments
in the army and to recruiting in the
Wichita district. l am indeed sur
prised to note that a man of intel
igence and experience should con-
descend to, such an article as this.
You state that army enlistments
do not increase. In regard to this
allow me to inform you that the to-
tai enlistments for the month of No
|vember, 1916, were 1870, Sd of
which came from the Wichita dis
trict of 80 counties in the state of
Kansas.
You ask why anyone should expect
young men to volunteer for service
at SIS per month. In answer l
would like to call your attention to
the following facts: The soldier re-
ceives his clothing, food, medical at
tention, good bedding, and when not
in the field is housed in good quar-
tiers with tub and shower baths, cleo
trio lights and heat. Expert den
lists keep the teeth repaired and in
good shape absolutely free, and in
addition he receives from SIS to 500
per month, according to rank.
AS to promotions, the chances were
never better than they are today.
The high school graduate who en-
lists has the opportunity to be ap-
pointed to the Military Acadamy at
West Point if between the ages of 10
and %, and is not dependent upon
political pull. Enlisted men be-
tween the ages of 81 and 20 are
given the opportunity to take COM
lpetitive examination for the appoint
ment to the rank Of End Lieutenant,
at $1,700 per year to start. There
are now 346 men appointed from the
enlisted personnel and civil life at
Fort Leavenworth, Kan, undergoing
instruction.
The army as it stands today de-
velopes man morally, mentally and
physically. Throughout the army
there are competent instructors in
all branches of common and high
school work, vocational and military
training.
You also state that no self respect
ing American youth cares to work for
SIS per month. Did you ever stop to
consider how many of the above
mentioned are working in civil life
for $45, $50 or $50 per month, and
when their accounts are settled, have
nothing left! This obtains in every
city, town and village in the United
States and you consider them self
Prospecting Americans. If they en-
tered the service at SIS per month IT
is possible for them to save at least
$40 per month, placed on deposit
with the Quartermaster, draws per
cent interest.
AS far as the soldier being regard
ed as dog by his superiors, the
statement in question is absolutely
false and fear hardly justifies an.
answer. However, will state that the
experience of all self respecting sol
diers are that superior officers are
square, honest, upright leaders who
have the welfare of the soldier at
heart and consider the members of
their commands as men and always
worthy of consideration. would
like to have you investigate the NOR
al, mental and physical standing of
the enlisted men of any Company,
Troop or Battery of any organization
in the United States and compare
what you find to any equal number
of men in any community. l feel it
my duty to impress upon you the
r. Il II