The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1878-03-16
THE LIFE-SAvING SERVICE.

ADVANTAGES TO BE DERIVED FROM A TRANS.
FIR TO THE NAVY OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
CHENEY OF THE PRESENT sYsTEM-THE PUR.
POSES OF SENATOR sARGENT's ELL.
To THE EDITOR HERALD:-
The floods OF protests against Senator Sargents bill
to transfer tho lie-savIng service to tho Navy De-
partmcnt have drawn tho attention OF tho friends o.
the blu TO advocate IN some way its merits The pro-
tests from all parts OF tho country have a printed
beading and all alike, so that they must have all
come from the source. Ono protest, with seve-
raj hundred names, was written dozen OF those
headed blanks pasted together. rho protests sci
forth that the bill is "smply scheme to provide
places surplus officers sailors OF tho navy
hc latter knowing but little about handling boats in
heavy surD." The bill is not scheme OF naval on
GERS, but originated with Senator Sargent himself
the naval officers not advocating or fighting the
bill, except WHOM their opinion is asked when it is
gwen favor Of the bill, they orc among those
who 60 down TO the In ships and whose lives are
imperilled by the dangers OF our coast.
NErriCIEScY THE PRESENT SYSTEM.
Many parts OF our coasts. and especially where
wrecks are most frequent arc inhabited by wreckers,
who are not much better than pirates, and whose
only means OF livelihood rs from wrecks. Keepers for
lfe-savng stations are taken from those wreckera
and then they appoint their friends and companions
lis the bodies washed ashore we're stripped cloth.
lug and fingers cut from the hands The mails OF tho
Metropolis all stolen aud the letters scattered
through the country. At present there Is no guard
against such atrocities.
1t Is not the intention OF Senator Sargcnts bill to
man the service with sailors Of the navy but with ex-
per,encsd surfmcn (See section OF bliL) Those
surimen who c0met Can remain in the servIce
and others shipped must understand the management
OF boats In surf and be Intelligent enough 10 DO
taug the OF the various appliances aud appara US
for the saving OF life 10 have efficient orsanzi-
ton the service must be placed under mon whose
training adapts them to such work. II Is said that
naval officers do not know our coast. The whole
coast before the war was surveyed by naval officers
no were IN the coast survey ana at the entire
coast survey Is manned by officers and seamen OF tho
navy. VINO should know better about our coast than
these same offccrsY
II these same officers were detailed ~ inspectors Of
districts, with their knowledge aud training Iney
verihcation OF coast limo and adjacent sound
ings the site OF tho current, together with metcoro-
logical observations that would DO invaluable to our
commerce.
Tho of vessels and their cargoes tho UNDER
writer's and insurance companies, will especially be
benefited by the bill as is intended that This service
shall be coast guard Tor the protection of the prop
erty saved. AT present all that comes ashore IS
claimed by the wreckors. We have policemen IN
cities OF lire to protect properly imDerilled
anu saved II those guardians were not on hand We
should have system OF thieves and pirates that
would make away everything within reach,
claiming the wreckers DO that what il saved from
the water belongs to no ono
SAVING oF PROPERTY.
The Coast Guard, when II is no longer necessary TO
work for rescue OF lives mpcrilled wreck or
vessel danger Of wreck, would turn their attention
the salvage OF property and the guarding OF the
until relieved by the customs officers or otner
legalized persons The officer IN charge Of the dis
rict would be required to reside In his DISTRICT and IN
case u would be on the spot TO take charge
anu property protected IL Is proposed that the
volunteers snail have proper drills ana be instructed
IN Of the apparatus kept At tho lfeboat sta
ton pay Tor the time spent IN dril To have
a certain each when iivoS are saved, and CON-
pensaton while employed In the salvage Of property
until the arrival of The legazed persons TO take
charge when compensation from the government
would cease.
TIE HEAD OF THE SERVICE.
The passage OF the Dill would not throw out OF ofce
the present head OF the lIie-savng service, AS ne
would remain chief OF tho kovenue Marine Bureau
material that he has had aud deserves great credit Tor
the zeal that he has shown IN this great work. But
his knowledge must be only theoretical as he was
promoted his present position from clerkshlp In
the Treasury The revenue officers employed IN the
Ing service still hold their commission IN the
revenue marine. he only people who would lose
their positions would be Tho ten or more superin-
tendepts (s0me OF these are revenue ofiicersh aud
this should not have any weight when SO great an
interest as tho saving Of human lie Is imperiiled.
COST OF THE SERVICE.
The amount OF money required to carry on this
scrvico should be minor consider ration. but tho Su
perintendent his report for 1877 rocs.nmcuds tho
Increase OF the salaries OF keepers from 500 year
from Septem Der 10 May l, and these recommended
tions repeated by the Secretary OF the Treasury
In his letter the President Of the Sena'e, adding
that stations should be kept manned all tho year
II thought expediont by the Secretary. II manned
with the same number Of surfmen as now employed
and Tor the Same time under Senator Sacgenps bill
the saving would be $50 1874. II manned All the year
with the same number Of men under Senator Sur