Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1922-01-30
THE STATE AND PAY OF SOL.
OIERS

nor Baxter commenting on his state.
mcnt under date Of January 9th
TO the effect that only the Legisla-
ture can settle the question arising
from the act Of 1917 pertaining to
soldiers pay. The letter alludes to
the good faith of the State, the in
tention Of the Legislature at the time
and the obligations, II any, now ex-
listing.
Many will recall the discussion of
these matters in previous Legisla-
lures and In the press, but most will
like TO have their recollection re-
freshed. At the request of the Jour
nal, Captain L. NJ. Hart, Who at the
time was the secretary Of Governor
Miliken and conversant with the
situation. obligingly makes the fol-
lowing statement, which with the
copy OF the act referred to, affords
comprehensive idea OF the matters
under discussion.
ION April 6, 1917, the United
States severed diplomatic relations
with Germany. On April z. Sat-
urday. the Maine Legislature adj
Journed It's regular session. In real
fly. IT was well into Sunday morning
OF the eighth before actual adjourn
ment took place.
From the time news was received
OF the rupture between the two ma
tions until adjournment numerous
resolves and acts were passed with
q view to making more effective
Names share in what became the
World War.
Chapter 1o1 Of the Resolves of
1917 was presented and passed. It
provided that every National Guards
man who entered the Federal SER
vice should receive from the State
not more than one dollar a day as
pay. After this resolve had been
passed under suspension Of the rules,
II was discovered that 1t really
meant nothing so far as effectiveness
was concerned. Leaders Of the Legis-
laturs pointed out that It named no
definite sum. that 1t limited the pay
ment to only those men who entered
the country's service through the
National Guard and that It provided
no means Of meeting the payment of
any sums that might DO decided
upon. In other words, It was found
that. no matter what the intent of
tbs Legislature might have been,
Chapter 1o1 Of the Resolves was
worth nothing as a law.
1.-THE leaders OF the Legislature
then drafted Chapter PIT Of the
Public Laws OF 1917. The emer-
Gency cluase was attached and it was
passed 10 become effective imme-
diately.
CHAPTER at
M htt W fTpNlue state RaY Tor Sol.
diers and sailors in the Volunteer
service OF the United States.
EMERGENCY PREAMBLE. Where
az the pay allowed by the national
government 10 enlisted men under ex-
listing laws and regulations is not suf-
hcient TO adequately recompense the
volunteers and
Whereas. increased pay for the sci.
dlers and sailors enlisted in the Ma
tional Guard Of Maine or in the naval
service of the United States is imme-
dlately necessary for the preservation
or the public peace. health and safety
In the present condition of war and
until the pay allowed by the national
government is increased
BE IL enacted by the People Of the
State OF Maine. as follows:
ps See o 1. STATE TO SUPPLEMENT-
FICERs. SOLDIERS AND SAILORS
PROVISIONS. There shall be allowed
and paid out of the treasury of the
state OF Maine TO each on-commis-
sioned officer. soldier. sailor. and ma
finc mustered into the military service
or the United States as a part of the
quota OF the state or enrolled in the
naval service for service in the United
states or IN any foreign country. a
Gum not in excess of ten dollars a
month. as may be necessary. in order
that every such rci,-commissioned Off
Ger. soldier or sailor shall receive from
the United States ard this state in the
lars per month.
said amount shall be PAYABLE month
~ Al the of.ic- OF the adjutant general
and shall date from the enrolment or
muster-in To the United States service
or said non-commissioned officer, SOL
der. sailor or marine, and shall con-
finue until the first day of March,
nineteen hundred and nineteen. unless
the service Is sooner terminated Tie
supply officer OF each organization
shall submit. TO the adjutant general
rayrolls certified 10 by him as correct,
and the. amount found necessary as
general by check 10 the enlisted man
or II he 30 directs in writing, to any
member of his family.
Sec. 2: AUTHORIZATION OF EN-
meeting the expenses authorised by
this act, the governor il hereby au-
thorized to draw his warrant for said
expenses against any moneys in the
Sec. 3. WHEN EFFECTIVE. In
view OF the emergency expressed in
the preamble hereof. this act shall
take enect when approved.
Approved April Z, 1917.
1T will be recalled that at that
time. the pay Of . private in the Uni
ted States army was about so cents
. day. Maine wanted her soldiers to
receive at least q dollar a day and to
provide this. Chapter 277 was passed.
II met the situation and under its
provisions . considerable sum Of
money was expended until the Fed
eral Government increased the pay
OF ito soldiers to q sum where the
Federal Government was actually