The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-07-06
HUGE SUMS STOLEN
FROM EX-SOLDIERS
Gangs Prey on Discharged
Troops and Fleece Them
by Bogus Welcomes.
MANY LEFT PENNILESS
System Of Exchange Urged at
Camp Dix to Foil Wait
ing Crooks.

Officers of the United States Army
arc becoming more ana more concerned
about the situation caused by thousands
Of discharged soldiers reaching home
practically penniless despite the fact
that when they were mustered out they
had from SIS to $500 in their pockets.
While the subject is not being officially
discussed the problem is receiving seri-
Gus thought, as II is realized that the
situation makes for discomfort and
anger. At Camp Dix. wrightstown, N.
Jy-various remedies have been sug-
gested.
Those who have tried to make an
investigation of the situation believe SOL
diers between the time OF their dis
charge and when they reach their
homes especially II their Journey leads
them through some of the large cities
have been relieved of several million
dollars by harpies. crooks, swindlers
and others who operate In gangs to
prey upon the former soldiers Joy at
once more stepping into the freedom of
the civilian realm. Very few soldiers
leave the discharge centre with any
other idea than hurrying home. But
the gangs operating in several cities
spread their nets so cleverly that many
home bound soldiers fall therein and
their pockets are emptied by experts at
the game in such a manner that the
victim has little come back
Only this week reports have come
from central Pennsylvania towns that
men discharged here are walking to
hnrNA IN taN, - rrxI..
had been swindled even out of their
transportation. Generally they will not
admit the real trouble. and from numer-
Gus hard luck stories they invent to hide
their losses, the general public gets the
that the Government Is not
making proper provision for its dis
charged service men, when as a matter
OF fact Uncle Sam pays to the dis
charged man, in addition to all back
pay. a bonus Of $50 and liberal travel
ling allowance to the place of his en-
listment.
Many Have Tidy Sum.
Many OF the men returning from
France. having had no relatives or de-
pendents needing allowances, managed
to save and deposit with the Govern
ment tidy little sums against the day
OF their discharge Men of this type
man vultures in the cities. who operate,
1t 10 believed. largely through certain
cliques OF 1itneymen catering to soldier
custom. There are cases on record at
Camp Dix where some discharged men
nave drawn, when they left the SER
vice. amounts considerably in excess of
$1,000. This fact has never been pub
lished, because rehabilitation officers
believed that to advertise It would only
serve to inspire further efforts for the
INSCRIPTIONS to victimize the happy-go-
lucky boys who come home from service
abroad and unsuspectingly fall prey to
false welcomes.
The fact that the harpies have discoy-
cred these facts for themselves makes
further silence unnecessary, and public
lty now. II Is recognized. may aid in
eliminating the pitfalls TO a considerable
extent through melting public coopera-
ton for the protection Of discharged
service men.
The Philadelphia Clearing House SER
Vice bank at Camp Dix was opened by
public spirited bankers to render a free
service to discharged soldiers that would
protect them from the dangers of losing
their money while home bound. This
service bank. operating near the pay
masters desk, accepts deposits from the
freshly discharged soldiers. and without
cost places these funds on deposit for
them in the home bank they specify
They receive non-negotiable receipt
and the deposit can be withdrawn only
by the soldier on the presentat ton Of his
personal check.
One trouble is that while there has
been a very favorable response 1t does
not reach that class OF men who most
need the protection. although the value
10 h. l.. H. q
every soldier in the morale lectures pre-
ceding his discharge.
A solution suggested at Camp Dix Is
that tho Government make the same
system apply to all discharge payments
In lieu OF all cash when he Ia paid OF
the discharged soldier would receive
enough for his train ticket. which he
purchases before he leaves the discharge
centre, and for general travelling ex-
penses. For the balance he would re-
celve a non-negotiable receipt similar to
that now given out by the service bank
In cases Of proved necessity the soldier
could draw more cash than needed for
travelling.
The result would be that every soldier
when he reaches his home town or any
other city in which he decides to seek
employment or get into business for
himself will find in the bank there n
deposit TO his credit for every cent OF
his unspent army pay. His pockets may
have been picped of every copper and
with even his railroad ticket gone, he
may arrive there footsore and weary, but
he is assured of a nest egg with which to
begin life again as his own financial
hacker.
Under this plan every protection would
be given to the soldier. The deposit
h. 10 iS or1a
or in case Of his prior death by his next
of kin. Even should he lose the non
negotiable receipt for the deposit on his
way home 1t would be useless to the
finder and the eX-soldier would be able,
by establishing proper Identification. to
claim the funds deposited in his name.
Call for Bankers AID.
It Is believed by interested officers at
Camp Dix that patriotic bankers would
be willing to render this service through
out the country. Just as the members of
the Philadelphia Clearing House are now
doing for all soldiers discharges through
Camp Dix. AS a general policy OF the
War Department. handled through CO.
operation Of the Secretary OF the Treas
ury. they say It would be assured OF
success.
In addition to affording ample protec-
ton TO all soldiers against financial loss
before they reach their homes, the sug-
gested plan, It is pointed out. would have
manifold advantages over the present
system OF turning loose a discharged SOL
der with a pocket full of money he Is
likely TO lose before he has time to
think about spending 1t judiciously. on
GERS are convinced II would promote
nation wide thrift among the men leav-
ing the service. It would further assure
an even distribution OF the enormous ar