Note 301 — Chapter XLV · 1889–90—REFORMS AT ALDERSHOT

The War Office system of centralisation was shown markedly by a Paymaster’s conduct in this case. I received several telegrams suggesting I should give way to the contractors’ demands, rather than risk a failure of supply; and when I declined, I was asked if I was prepared to accept the full responsibility of feeding the Troops. I answered in the affirmative. On the 30th May, sending for a Paymaster, I ordered him to give me a cheque for £1700. He absolutely refused to do so, without War Office authority. However, when I told him to go away under arrest for disobedience, and to send me the next senior Paymaster, he wrote the cheque.