Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1919-07-21
MORE MILEAGE
MONEY is DUE
MANY SOLDIERS

Col. Albert Greenlaw, temporary
State chairman of the American Le-
gion Saturday received commune
cation from c. F. Sheridan. national
war risk officer Of the Legion, which
states that it seems that many SOL
diers have been discharged prior to
Feb. %. 1919. who received mileage
at the rate Of az cents mile, which
rate has since been increased to s
cents per mile, and 1t also develops
that some soldiers received mileage
to the place of their muster into the
service rather than their actual bona
fide homes or residences.
I'm view Of these facts, the follow
ing information is given for the gen.
eral benefit of members of the Le-
gion:
IAN act Of Congress approved Feb.
20, 1919. provides that an enlisted man
honorably discharged from the army,
navy or the marine corps since Nov.
II. 1918. shall receive S cents per mile
from the place of his discharge to his
actual bona fide home or residence,
or original muster into the service at
his option; also that in cases Of sea
travel on discharge. transportation
and subsistence instead of travel pay
VIII be furnished the enlisted man.
You will note that upon discharge
an enlisted man can be paid mileage
either to the place of original muster
into the service, or the place Of his
bona fide home or residence at his
option. This does not mean, how
ever. that travel pay can be secured
to place of muster and also to the
place of residence. Mileage can only
be secured to one place. However,
the man has an option as to which
place he will designate. If the place
Of his actual home is a greater dis
lance than the place of muster and
the soldier was paid mileage as far
as the place of muster, he can at this
time present a claim for the differ
ence between the amount paid and
the amount due.
practically all the men DISCHARGED
prior to Feb. %. 1919. received only.
81 cents a mile to the place of en-
try into the service. Therefore, they
are entitled to an additional IL
cents a mile to such place, and in
addition 5 cents a mile to the place
of their actual residence if the dis
lance is greater.
1T will develop that the zone A.
nance officer will pay the additional
l u cents mile to the place of mus
ter. but in case the claim is doubtful
as to the place of residence, he will
merely pay 1 u cents a mile, and it
will be necessary to submit an addi-
tional claim to the Auditor for the
War Department. Washington. D. c.,
for amount due to place Of residence.
Any travel pay already received will,
OF course. be deducted from the
amount due.
You will take great care to see
that a true copy of the soldiers dis
charge certificate. certified as such by
recruiting officer. or the original
discharge certificate, is forwarded
with each claim. The Zone Finance
Ohcer will not pay a claim without
the discharge certificate or certified
copy 1t has developed that it is a
much safer practice to forward a
certified copy as the original might
possibly be lost. which should be
avoided. as 1 understand that the
War Department does not issue du.
plicates of discharge. Therefore as
far as possible. certified copies should
De submitted. Also, it is absolutely
essential that the statement and COPY
OF discharge certificate should be
signed by the soldier or sailor per-
sonally. If the claimant is unable to
write. his mark should be witnessed
by at least two individuals. An Of
nicer is entitled to travel at the rate
of cents per mile.
1T might be we'll to call this mat
ter to the attention Of the local posts.
so that any of the men having money
due them can present their claims in
proper form, eX-naval service men
submitting their claims to Com
mander c. G. Mayo. Disbursing Off
Ger. Bureau of Supplies and Ac-
counts. Navy Department, Washing
ton. D. c., and ex-members of the
army submitting theirs to Col. Perrin
L. Smith. Zone Finance Office Travel
Allowance. 18th. and C Streets
Washington, D. c."