El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1919-06-18
OFFICERS
FACE PROBLEM
With Living Expenses Up
100 Per Cent, Pay Is
Not Advanced.

Washington. D. c, June 1S.-Army
officers with dependents returning to
the United States after duty overseas
and those on duty in the field in the
United States are deeply concerned
as to what they are going TO do to
meet expenses when the present emer-
I gency is declared at an emo and the
Fl, Communication for quarters, heot and
light. except for those on duty at a
regular army post or in a city, au-
/ tomatically stops.
These officers point out that though
l living expenses in the past five years
! have increased at least loo percent
the pay OF army officers in that time
has not increased one penny and, ex-
eept for those fortunate enough 10
! have a post or city assignment where
they receive Communication for quarters,
heat and light in peace times, they
are compelled TO support their fami-
I lies on the same pay that they re-
I ceived 10 years years ago.
! During the agitation from all Sec
/ tons Of the country in 1917 which
resulted in the passage on April IS.
1913, Of an act by congress granting
| officers with dependents on duty in
the field and overseas the same COM
mutation for quarters, heat and light
as received by an army officer on
I duty in city, It was disclosed that
in making up the army pay roll under
which officers are paid today due
allowance was made for granting to
officers not furnished quarters. heat
and light by the government connmu
tation for these in cash.
Washington Officers Favored.
As the result. however. OF various
departmental orders this commuta-
ton was gradually eliminated. ana
when war against Germany was de-
clared in 1917 Il was discovered that
an. officer on duty in Washington was
receiving IS TO p percent more Per
month than an officer OF like grade
on duty with troops at Camp Meade,
only a few miles away.
IN the hearing on a proposed COM
mutation for quarters, heat and light
committee i was shown that a col
Onel on duty in Washington received
25 percent more pay than a colonel
on duty at Camp Meade or any other
camp with troops colonel on duty
in Washington received in cash. in
Guiding Communication for quarters.
neat and light, S444.1f a month. while
a colonel on duty at Camp Meade with
troops received in cash only S333.33
per month A second lieutenant on
duty in Washington received Is per
cent more than a second lieutenant
general in Washington received IS
percent more than a major general
commanding a combat division OF
troops.
Provisions OF Bill
Under the army appropriation bill
OF several years ago, which IS the gov
erning factor in the pay OF officers
today, and in army regulations It
is provided that officers shall be fur
nished by the government with a GER
tain number OF rooms, together with
heat and light as follows: Generals.
II rooms. major generals. nine; briga-
der general, eight, colonel. seven.
lieutenant colonies. six; majors, five;
captains. four; first lieutenants. two;
or should be paid Communication in
cash in lieu OF the rooms at SIC each
a month and heat and light IN accor-
dance with the prevailing rates for
coal and electricity at the place where
the officer is stationed
Biz Unanimously Passed.
When these facts were placed be-
fore the members Of the military COM
mittee OF congress 4 bill drawn by
the general staff under the direction
Of the secretary OF war granting COM
mutation Of quarters. heat and light
TO officers with dependents was fav-
orably reported without dissent and
unanimously passed by both houses
Of congress
The bill adopted. however. grants |
this Communication for quarters heat
and light TO officers with dependents !
only during the present emergency. /
and just as soon as the president is |
sues a proclamation declaring the !
emergency at an end the allowance |
ceases.
Members OF congress are being pc
titioned TO take steps TO have enacted /
IN the near future legislation that /
will require the payment to all off l
GERS, OF the Communication for quarters, I
heat and light. which the secretary (
Of war in a letter to senator Chamber
lain. the then chairman Of the senate 4
military affairs committee. admitted /
was clearly due them under the word 4
ing Of the army appropriation act and /
that the Withholding of which was an
injustice which should not be permit
ted to continue
Army officers are Indignant that
they have been entirely neglected in
the matter Of increase OF pay. They
declare that without exception work.
crs in every single calling have within
the past few years received at least
one and many Of them several in
creases in pay TO meet the greatly in
creased cost OF living. yet officers
have TO exist and support families on
the same pay that they received 10
years ago.