Evening star., 1918-02-10

Army officers serving in tho field.
from the highest to the lowest ranks,
are swelling the chorus Of discomfort
and even despair over the menace Of
the ever-increasing high cost of living.
They feel particularly blue over the
outlook, according to those familiar
with the financial arrangements under
which they work. because they feel
that their held service carries what
amounts to a financial penalty not suf-
fered by other officers.
So far. It Is said. the only vocation
that has not yet been recognized in the
new scheme of high prices is that of
"offering your life for your country.
Workers in every other line of work,
crease in salary to meet the upward
trend of prices, or such increases are
contemplated on their behalf by gov
ernmental legislation. AS yet the Of
fcer serving with troops in the heid'
however, has been let severely alone.
Compare With Clerical Posts.
ohicers so serving charge that were
they given the same treatment In re-
spect to salaries as officers who are
serving the government In clerical ca
pacities in Washington or elsewher
able to meet the increased cost OF
living.
1t is charged directly that officers
are being penalized from 1S per cent
for a colonel Of their normal salary
for service with the troops in the field.
This charge, 1t is said. is drawn from
the fact that officers serving with the
troops in the field are not permitted
Communication of quarters. heat and
light, as are. the officers serving the
government in Washington and in
other cities. with no greater difficulties
to contend with than keeping their
offices warm and supervising the work
Of high-paid clerks.
Appeal Direct to Secretary.
The officers serving in the field. with
nerves almost broken by a steadily ac-
cumulating debt which they. under ex-
fsting conditions, are powerless to
avert, have practically thrown up their
hands in despair and have appealed di-
rect to the Secretary OF War for re-
lief.
In their appeal, however, they have
made 1t plain that they are not asking
for that which would impose a greater
burden Of debt than that already i'm
posed by war. but for the money which
they. 1t Is said, are supposed to receive
under the Army pay appropriation act
of May. 1905 This act is today the
governing factor in the computation of
the salaries of officers.
The field officers point out that they
have been informed by the trainers of
the act that the salaries were purpose
ly made low in order that there might
be an allowance for Communication of
quarters, heat and light, which would
permit them to have their families with
them.
Under that act a general is allowed
to occupy IL rooms: a ma jor general. 8:
brigadier general, s; colonel. Z; lieu
tenant colonel. s; major, 5: captain, 4;
nrst lieutenant, 3. and a second lieu
tenant. rooms. when public quarters
are available or, when the latter Is not
to receive $12 a month for each room
they are allowed.
Temporarily Detached, in Past.
In the past. officers serving in the
Aeld have been carried as Temporarily
detached from post" and have by that
means been able to draw this allow
ance in cash.
Under a ruling of the War Depart
ment of June 19. 1917, officers serving
in the field are no longer allowed to
draw this BOARD" money and imme-
diately all officers serving in the field
suffered a reduction in salary of IS
to 25 per cent.
The officers point out. as a compara-