New-York tribune., 1918-02-25

to gold, because it is convertible
into gold if sent back to this coun-
try.
Under the present law provision
is made for the dependents of an
enlisted man, and he is compelled
to allot certain amount Of his pay.
This amount is withheld by the
War Department and a check for it
is sent to the person or persons pro-
vided for. This compulsory allot-
ment is never more than SIS, but
he may have an additional amount
Or all of his pay withheld at his
request, either to be deposited in
some designated bank for his own
benefit, or for the benefit of some
one else. If the allotment is made
Tor his own benefit he can draw
checks against it, as he can against
an ordinary deposit in his bank.
With respect to so much of his pay
as the government does not with
hold he has the same privileges as
he would were he a civilian.
Must Pay
In Cash
1t is when this same soldier
crosses to England or France that
difficulties present themselves. He
may take his checkbook with him,
but when he tries to cash a check
against his allotment or against his
deposit back home his troubles be-
gin. He is not known. His deposit
in America is as unknown as he is.
Those with whom he would deal ask
for cash. He can have his allot-
ment changed. His pay check will
be sent to him in France and his
paymaster will honor it. Then he
finds himself with months paw.
and while it is not staggering
amount he is constantly worried
about losing it. Under such cir
cumstances he is more than likely to
spend it quickly. He doesn't like To
deposit it in a foreign bank, be-
cause death may overtake him, and
he knows that his relatives would
have more trouble than the amount
IS worth to establish their rights in
his account. 1t is but natural tha,
he should long to have it arranged
so that he could transact his money
matters with men who speak Eng.
llsh and who will do business with
him according to methods with
which he is familiar.
1t was because they appreciated
these conditions surrounding the
soldier in France and because they
had the necessary facilities abroad
for doing it that certain banking
houses and express companies en-
tered into arrangements that would
enable him to get his money anc
keep or spend it without loss or in
convenience. The Farmers Loan
and Trust Company, for example
having an Office in Paris, estab.
llshed an agency at Bordeaux, nov
one of the most important parts OF
France, and in addition opened
two others in the zone now occupied
by the American troops. Bonbrigh,
d Co. arranged through their CORE.
spondents abroad to facilitate the
conversion of American funds into
foreign currency and to forward
incomes from securities held here
The Bankers Trust Company ant
the express companies pointed ou,
the advantages of their travellers
checks. Wherever they could do i,
bankers generally made efforts te
assist the American soldier.
Through it's Offices in both Lon
don and Paris and it's relations with
the Bank of France and the Comm.
toir National d'Escompte de Paris
two financial institutions which
together have nearly 400 branche:
throughout France-the Guarant,
Trust Company of New York was
able to offer special conveniences te
officers and men who went abroad
IN the service Of their country. The
advantage Of large organization
and numerous affiliations in this
country and abroad was increased
by the fact that both the London
and Paris Offices of the company
were officially designated deposi
taries of the United States govern
ment.
The plan which the trust com.
pany evolved for making the Amer