The Washington times., 1917-07-27
D. c. CAVALRY
PAY HELD Up
ONE MONTH";;
MEN "BROKE"

-A-~ 1@S '"
Government adjusting itself to the
tasks Of war has held up the pay Of
nearly hundred soldiers attached to
Troops A and B, Dirtrict Of Columbia
national guard, for service performed
the latter part Of June.
"The ghost" failed to walk for
these troopers on July /. The pay
check has been expected from day to
day since that time and serious in
convenience, it is said, has resulted
to some Of the men called to service
from good jobs.
An investigator hunting the cause
OF the trouble went through the evo-
buttons Of a man following a circle
today. From the captain In com
mand to Brigadier General Harvey. to
the disbursing officer OF the District,
and to the War Department the trail
was followed. In the end It seemed
the blame must rest on General Red
Tape" an old offender operating both
in times of war and peace.
Called Out June IS.
Seventy-odd men OF Troop A were
sent to the rife range on June Is for
two weeks stay. Their pay was
due on July /. A smaller number Of
Troop B spent i've days on the range,
and they, too. looked for a bit Of
money from the Government nearly a
month ago.
Here is what those who assist in
operating the Governments machIn-
cry say about Il:
Captain Washburn. from his tent at
the Patterson tract:
at is not up TO me to discuss the
matter. sent the rolls IN. You'll
have to go to the War Department.
II they want to say anything, IT'S ali
right ! have done my part"
Brig. Gen. William z. Harvey:
Il know OF no pay due except for a
few days in June They were not
called into the Federal service until
yesterday. The District OF Columbia
Disbursins Officer should be able to
tell you about It know nothing
OF It."
Major Louis Wilson, dlsbursinE Of
ficer OF the District:
Doesn't Know Amounts Due.
THE story is overdrawn. There are
only a few dollars involved, and
cannot pay until I get a ruling from
the War Department Here Is the
situation. These men. most OF them
from Troop A, were called out for Two
weeks rifle tango duty.
AZ
old rate OF pay for the enlisted men
in the regular army each man is due
$3.50. II they are entitled to the new
rate of pay, which Congress voted to
the regular army "for the emery
ency," the halfmonth's pay will
amount to SIS per man. The wartime
pay of the enlisted man, under the
new law, is twice that OF the old rate.
Some days ago 1 asked for a rul-
ing from the War Department on
this question. The District has the
money, and the men will be paid as
soon as the War Department advises
me OF its decision"
- Each For Troop b.
Mr.. Wilson said in the cage of
Troop B the pay would amount to
only SO per man. Mr.. Wilson ap-
peared to think that in view of the
smallness of the sums involved no
serious complaint was Justified, and
that most OF the men appreciated the
rush of work that has come upon the
War Department bringing upavold-
able delays in various matters.
At the War Department an official
said checks would go forward to the
men OF Troop A today. 1t was also
asserted that some OF the accounts
involving men OF Troop p were
"kalled up" and would have to be
Strengthened out as rapidly as pos
EIble.
The District National Guard went
into the Federal service yesterday,
along with guardsmen from all sec
tions OF the country, and 1t is geRer-
ally hoped that when the next pay
day" comes around the pay check
will arrive on time.
Complaint of the guardsmen Is thn-
many OF them have given up re-
muneratIve positions to serve the
country, and when the money fails
to show up they are deprived OF their
spending money-which isn't such a
large sum even when they get II.