Evening Republican, Volume 20, Number 175, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 22 July 1916 — INDIANA SOLDIERS SIGH FOR PAY DAY [ARTICLE]

INDIANA SOLDIERS SIGH FOR PAY DAY

Must Wait Until August 12 Unless Kind Friends Provide Ice Cream Money in Meantime.

Tex., July 21".—Another chdnge has been made in the camp commander. Brigadier-General Plummer was transferred to the Nogales district and Brigadier-General Lewis again became the supreme commander of Llano z Grande. It is understood that Gen. Lewis will remain in command until a major-general arrives. General Plummer leaves Friday for his new post. As far as thd Indiana soldiers are concerned Llano Grande camp is a “busted” community.

“When are we going to get any money?” is a question that has given way to the question, “How long will we be here?” and no one can answer either question.* The army pay day is about the 12th of the month, and unless a paymaster shows up in the meantime it is probable that the Indiana troops will get no money until August 12. There was money due them before they left Indianapolis, but they did net get it and consequently a large number of Indianians are flat broke and many have written back home for coin. The higher officers have no trouble in getting checks cashed at the Mercedes banks, but the privates and many of the noncommissioned officers who have no bank accounts back home have to go without money or share with some more fortunate comrade. The merchants of Mercedes and the various exchanges at the camp extend credit whenever the man looks right, but the credit is exhausted after a while. Complaints among the enlisted men are numerous and a great many married men are asking that they be sent back There is no need of explaining why the men need money. A great many things are supplied by the government, but Uncle Sam does not supply anyluxuries.

Here is an illustration of the need of money. A tall rookie in the Terre Haute company stood looking in a drug store where three clerks were dishing out ice cream and soda as fast as their hands would work. “I certainly would like to have some of that ice cream,” the rookie remarked, with a catch in his voice. „A man who overheard the complaint uttered, said, “Why don’t you get some? It’s cheap.” “Stranger,” the rookie said sadly, “If I could buy that whole drug store for two bits, I haven’t enough to pay for the keyhole in the door.” The stranger advanced 50 cents and the rookie spent it all for ice cream cones and a package of cigarettes. It’s awfully nice in the folk back home to send the soldier boys embroidered handkerchiefs and tooth brushes and holders, but just ease it to the office and slip them a couple of until pay day. That’s what will make a hit down here just now.

Raymond Aiken, first lieutenant in ambulance company No. 1, of Frank-' fori;, whose home is at Bloomington, is suffering from a mild case of appendicitis. It is not believed that an operation will be necessary. Since two men have lost their lives in Llano Grande lake, life guards have been established and nto bathing is permitted after dark. There was great rejoicing in the Indiana camp last evening when the water was turned on. There has been a great dfeal of trouble from lack of water, but now all is well.