Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1949-05-28
Sees Little Chance or Hope

To Me Editor of The Star:
1t Is with sinking hearts that Army wives
hear Of the non passage OF the Service Pay
Bill.
For the past few years. those Of US with
out substantial outside means have been
grimly hanging on" in the hope and belief
that our plight would be recognized and
remeded We have washed. ironed cleaned.
painted our walls upholstered our furni-
ture, made our clothes. trimmed our hats
done without ad infinitum, and for one am
just plain tired--tired Of knowing we can
never afford = vacation. tired OF knowing
We can't give our grown boys q helping
hand. tired Of seeing my husband In old
shabl.T s.othes. tired Of watching him race
morning After morning. to catch the bus
for the Peutagon $50 can have our e-year-
old jalopy to drive.
We thought We had our tough years when
we were youna-we moved when We didn't
want to move. lived in shaeks where We
didn't want 10 live. hauled our children from
school to school, scrimped and saved. think
ing that our early sacrifices were all part OF
the game" and middle age would bring a
respite OF the harassins financial prob
lens
love my shiny pants Commando - and
] am rebellious that after 81 years OF faith
ful devotion 70 the service OF his country.
and so-called success in his chosen profess
sion. he finds himself In such a fx.
No man can work at his best. year after
year. without a yacaiion--no man can work
his best with the hope OF financial security
for his wife growing DINNER and DINNER
the higher he climbs the ladder Of the caste
system, dipping into capital TO live No man
can give his best when life is n continual
struggle OF scrimping and cutting corners in
order TO pay ordinary living expenses.
1t Is xhort-siehted government that al
lows Its public servants In places OF high
responsibility to be harassed by financial
worries. Does the country want TO lower
the standard Of It's military servants. or does
1t want the Army and Navy 70 become purely
rich mans game" for men OF independent
means2 A BRASS" WIFE.
Prospective General DISCOURAGED
To the Editor Of The star,
I have Just read about the failure OF the
Armed Services Pay Bill 10 pass the House
OF Representatives and I am wondering II
the seriousness OF this vicious and unjust
act on the part Of certain members OF Con-
gress is realized by the American people
There viii be large numbers Of regigna.
tons by our best young officers. In addition
to = general letdown In efficiency by those
who choose 10 remain In the service.
I have found in battle that there are few
good leaders when the going is really rough.
1t Is then the poor GI really needs top
notch man with CUTS and intelligence The
venseful action on The part Of the OF men,
bers OF Congress in killing this bill un-
ouestionabiy is going to create the opposite
TO the effect desired. Instead OF the good
officers needed when the heat Is on, the
or Is going 10 And himself being led by
mediocre leaders.
As for the justice OF pay increases for
officers let US look at the record Ofrcers
above the rank Of captain have Less take
home pay now with the current high COST
Of living than they had In isosl CTS have
had their pay raised I've times the original
amount.
There are no such things m special priyi-
leges for officers any more except the privi-
ieee Of working rs to ss hours . week. which
! and many others have been doing since
1871.
Oncers continually are being sent over
seas and frequently are separated from
their families entailing both personal and
financial hardsnips.
Dependent medical services are being dis
continued. couamisszry costs are equal 10
and IN some instances more than CONNER
ctAl prices: there no longer !s any such tnIng
- orderly service. no more quarters ca
Army posts To amount 70 anything: livtns
conditions are intoierable: uniform prices
are exorbstants commercial people IN every
community take Army and Navy ossceTs for
every cent they can Saueezx out Of them.
IT Is practically Impossible for seTTieemxn
TO make decent investment.
I have been informed by high authority
that I win be considered for promotion 70
. generals rank some dry. but noH ! 40
not want any part Of u.