The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-06-13
They Get Five Dollars for
Every Recruit Turned In.
All Except First Class Offices
Get In ON "Pie."
PATRIOTIC CITIZENS Object
Civilians Are Giving Services
Without Remuneration.
Think Government Employees
Should Do Same Thing.

Country town postmasters are push
ing regular army and navy recruiting
at SIS a head while thousands of pa
triotic citizens in private life are Civ
ing their time and money in an effort
to aid the federal government in the
war crisis. Operation of a system of
cold-blooded, deliberate commercial
ism in patriotism among rural post
masters was revealed today in Topeka.
Under rule adopted by the federal
war department, second, third and
fourth class postmasters receive SIS
for each enlistment secured for the
army or navy. Payments are made to
the postmasters by voucher from the
federal government, it is asserted. So
Jealous have been the postmasters to
win extra compensation for enlist
ments, that in many localities the
postmasters have taken time from
their regular government employment
to urge young men to enter the ser
vice.
Postmasters in first class offices.
including Topeka, do not receive ex-
ira pay for enlistments. w. o. Rigby,
postmaster in Topeqa, stated today
that he directed only marine corps en-
hstments here. He receives no extra
compensation for this service, he said.
Citizens Protest.
Operation of the system for pay
ment OF country town postnasters for
their service in securing recruits was
revealed in Topeka today when the
smith county exemption board came
mere TO protest against service with
out pay. The Smith county men were
willing to serve on the exemption
CIV oil
nate their service to a patriotic cause.
But they wanted the postmasters on
the government payroll to also arise
TO the occasion and remove their pa
tflotlsm from commercial basis
Ihen the Smith county board pro-
ceeoed to tell things Their statements
were later verified from official
sources. If the plan which seems to
nave been adopted in certain Smith
county towns is observed generally, the
business of selling stamps and money
orders is being turned over to clerk
Whlle the postmaSterS round up army
and navy volunteers at IS a head.
we are not objecting to perform
ing any patriotic service for the gov
eminent" sand ]. F. Bennett. county
clerk of Smith county. But we object
to giving our time and work when
Democrat postmasters are receiving IS
scalp for army and navy recruits.
We know what we are talking about,
too.
Smith County Patriotic.
Smith county has given between
seventy-five and 100 young men for
regular army and navy service. Many
of these young men went to recruiting
stations with blanks signed by the
postmaster of their home town. When
the young man was accepted for serv-
ice, the postmaster received a voucher
from the government for So. one
postmaster sent TO Smith Center for
blanks and recruiting in his town was
held up until he received a fresh sup
ply. Another instance of which we
have positive knowledge was where a
postmaster received d voucher bearing
the wrong initials and called his
friends into conference concerning the
proper method of endorsement
Later it was stated from official
sources that the extra pay is allowed
the second third and fourth class post
masters for each accepted enlistment.
1t was also stated that in many towns
the postmasters are giving more at
tention to recruiting work than to af-
fairs of their office. The extra pay,
1t is reported, is allowed under an
order of the war department and eX-
listed before the nations break with
Germany.
since President Wilson's war dec
laration. however, thousands OF pa
triotic men and women have been
called upon to give their time and
money in the cause of the government
In almost every instance such service
was given cheerfully and willingly.
No Pay for Volunteers.
During the recent registration for
military CONSUMPTION, the work il
Kansas was handled without dollar
of expense to the government. Own
ers donated the use of buildings for
polling places. Hundreds of men and
women volunteered their services in
handling the clerical work. Now men
and women thruout the state are vol
Iunteering service on exemption
board. Work of the Navy league
the Red Cross and other patriotic or
carnations has been conducted with
out expense to the government and il
many instances thousands of dollars
have been raised by popular subscrip-
lions. Bankers, business men-ever
clerks and nographers-have sub
banks have conducted bond selling
campaigns without thought of com
mission or remuneration from the
government
Turnout the state and nation al
possible service of a patriotic nature
has been given thru voluntary or
CARNATIONS without thought of pay
But the little bomb which the Smith
county delegation dropped in Topeka
today unfolds a system of fee grab
bling by many country town post
masters who have FASTENED to take
advantage of a former ruling of the
war department.
How Plan Started.
It is asserted that the ruling wa.
Continued on Page TwoJ