Evening Republican, Volume 20, Number 179, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 27 July 1916 — Senate Boosts Pay of Troops On Border Line. [ARTICLE]

Senate Boosts Pay of Troops On Border Line.

In creased pay for officers and men of the regular army and national guard in active service for the Mexican emergency, improved oamp conditions to safeguard their health, and authorization for them to vote in the field at the coming presidential election were provided in amendments to the army appropriation bill agreed bo Wednesday by the senate. By a vote of 44 to 13 the senate suspended the rule to adopt an amendment changing the age minimum for enlistment in the regular army from 18 to 21 years without the consent of parents or guardian. Under the provision boys under 21 now serving in (he regular army would not be retained in the service unless they filed within the next thirty days the written consent of parents or guardians. Senator Reed, of Missouri, offered the amendment which would make the existing provisions for the increased pay to the army when in service on foreign soil apply also to service on the Mexican border. Under it, officers will receive a ten per cent and enlisted men a twenty per cent increase in pay. Th amendment hiving soldiers in the Mexican service authority to vote in the field at the national election passed without opposition. As a safeguard to the health of the soldiers an amendment was adopted appropriating $250,000 for construction of modem floors and screens in troop tents along the border. The bill is expected bo pass today.