The Washburn leader. [volume] (Washburn, McLean County, N.D.) 1890-1986, 1919-02-21
conscientious
0bjcctors'' Get
Pay AS Soldiers
ALSO GIVEN SOLDIERS RATE"
ON RAILROADS BY ORDER OF
SECRETARY BAKER
NONE "oBJEcTED" TO MONEY
MEN WHO REFUSED TO WEAR
UNIFORM TREATED SAME AS
MEN WHO FOUGHT

Leavenworth, Kas.-One hundred
and nine religious conscientious OBJ
jectOrs, after being "honOrably re-
stored to duty" upon orders from the
War Department, we're released at
the United States Disciplinary Bar
racks. Two Of the total Of 113 OBJ
jectors held here had refused dis
charges, as such would not be "for
the glory of God" and two were too
i'll to 60 through the process.
The good fortune which has ac-
hcompanied the men who refused to
wear the country's uniform because
of scruples against war, continued
until they left the protection Of the
government. Piled high upon a desk
in the barracks where the discharges
were given was $33,6OO in cash, back
pay and allotments for the objectors,
each of whom drew from $40O to 5000.
Because prisoner in the disciplinary
barracks is supposed to forfeit ay,
none of the objectors had received
pay or his family allotments until
the order Of Secretary Baker restor-
ng the men honorably to duty was
made That released $45 a month for
each man for the time he had spent
in prison.
Soldiers sentenced to the disciplin-
ary barracks for breaches of army
laws receive no back pay, as the OBJ
jectors did, unless the judge advocate
who reviews their cases rules they
have been sentenced unjustly and
should not have been imprisoned The
objectors get their $45 month on a
special ruling that applies only to
objectors.
Ride at Soldier Rates.
The men, upon buying railroad
tickets for their homes, were not
forced to pay more than the soldier
who served at the front, Mr.. Bakers
order making it possible for them to
ride at the two cents a mile rate.
Although the conscientious objec-
tors were "honorably restored to
duty" be Secretary Bakers order,
their discharge papers are neither
honorable" nor "dishonorable" dis
charges. The usual honorable dis
charge is on white paper, the dishon-
orable discharge on yellow paper. The
discharge papers Of the conscientious
objectors were blue and bore the le-
gend:
This man Is a conscientious
objector. He has done no mill
tary service. He has refused to
wear the uniform"
Feeling ran high against the objec-
tors among the men in the 40th In
fantry, returned to Fort Leavenworth
recently from France, officers said.
AS one veteran explained:
There isn't an enlisted man in the
army who has saved $40O from his
pay. And here are these fellows, re-
leased prisoners, walking away with
what seems to the soldiers small
fortune"
Didn't Refuse the Money.
1t was expected by officers assisting
in the discharges, some of the men
would refuse the money from back
pay and allotments. When some an
nounced before being discharged they
couldn't take the money, because it
wasn't for "the glory of Cod" officers
suggested It be given to church.
One men explained he was "child of
Cod" but couldn't send the money
direct to God and would refuse to-
use earthly channels. = 25s
However, as each man drew up be-$S
fore tie desk piled with baGHno.es he
accepted the money offered him with
out objection. Also he counted it very
carefully. The disbursing officer ex-s
planned, in the confusion, some pay
ments might not be correct. The gov
ernment would send any amount re-
naming due If mistakes were found. Il
he said. Z ssSts3ss }s2
i However" he cautioned, ri you're
oSerpaid, don't try any conscientious I
Eobjecting with the overpayment."' !"
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