Trench and camp. [volume] (Augusta, Ga.) 1917-1919, 1918-08-28
SOLDIERS URGED To
MAKE REPORT OF
VERCHARGES
Camp Community Service to
Cooperate With Board Of
Commerce in Commercial Ad-
: juStmentS. No Discrimination
10 be Tolerated. H. A. Wheel
ing to Investigate Complaints

In conferences of the past week, the
Augusta War Camp Community Service,
in cooperation with the Board of Com
merce, has laid plans for popularizing a
commercial adjustments service for the
benefit OF the men in uniform at Camp
Hancock. This service has long been In
existence, but may not be generally
known to those who are entitled to make
use of it, Occasionally, complaints of
discrimination. overcharging, or profiteer-
ing are made against local business men
by soldiers and soldiers relatives tenn
porarily sojourning in the city All such
complaints, somewhat over 100 since the
camp was located at Augusta, have been
received, thoroughly investigated and adj
1usted by Mr. II. A. Wheeling. secretary
of the Augusta Board of Commerce.
Mr. Wheeling, in discussing this SER
vice said THE Board OF Commerce is
prepared to deal streneously with any
ease of overcharging it may find with any
Of the representative merchants, practi
caly all of whom are members of this
organization. | can assure you that If
the charges alleged can be substantated
that this organization will deal most rig
idly with the restaurant or concern maxi
ing this eXhorbitant charge"
A large percentage of complaints, 1t
has been found, are due to misunderstand
ing, and failure to realize that prices are
going up continually This is a situation
that affects civilians as well as men in
uniform, and it is beyond the control of
the local merchant, 1t is when the mer-
ated against the soldier that the latter
has a legitimate grievance and he should
lose no time in getting an adjustment.
Il do not contend" Mr.. Wheeling con-
tinued, that certain small merchants or
jitney drivers and that class of people
would noe take advantage Of . soldier,
as well as civilian, but ] believe | am
justified in saying that the situation with
tho representative merchants in Angus
Ia Is entirely different, in fact | believe
that upon investigation you will find that
the soldier In Augusta is given numerous
preferences, that are not extended to civ
iians; for example ] had a conference this
morning with certain bankers and was
informed by them that no bank in the
city was charging a soldier exchange or
other tav customary to civilian trade
upon foreign checks, or exchanges The
representative merchants of our town a
majority Of them have all their goods
marked IN plain figures and are endeavor-
ing IN every way possible To avoid criti-
eisin, or even suspicion Of oYernharRes. -
II rs strongly urged by The secretary OF
the War Camp Community Service that
has not had square deal In business
transaction, should report that matter
Immediately to the proper authorities
This should be done in fairness to the
merchant, a. well as for the sake of his
own peace Of mind. No soldier of freedom
can go over the top in the right frame
OF mind who breaks camp here feeling
that the people of the community made
use of his presence as an opportunity for
profiteerlng, Men in uniform are urged
to make all complaints to Mr. H. A.
Wheeling. Lamar Building, or to the War
the Soldiers Club. Complaints should
be IN writing If possible. and give all the
facts as to time and place and the nature
of the transaction,