Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-03-14

TEND COSTLY HosPrrALrTfEs WHICH DEPLETE
THEIR PURsEs-THEY MAY REFUSE TO PAY, But
THE CONSEQUENCES ARE uNPLEAsANr.
Sc A OFFICER IN THE UNITED STATES
"A navy finds the entertaining which he Is
obliged to do incidentally to his regular duty q
very serious drain upon his purse" said cap
tain in the service to a writer for The STAR.
There is a great deal of that sort Of thing
which he cannot escape, and il is my opinion
that some special allowance ought to be made
him for the purpose by the government inas-
much e. the hospitalities he must offer in
foreign ports are extended not in his capacity
of a private citizen, but as representing the
country abroad. 1t is prescribed by the regu-
lations that he shall do everything in his power
to cultivate pleasant relations with people Of
other nations by the interchange of social
courtesies and otherwise. He has even pre-
scribed for his costume special coat to be
worn on occasions of festivity And yet he is
compelled to pay all the expenses out Of his
own pocket.
THE COMMANDER SUFFERS MOST.
'Such expenses fall most heavily upon the
commanding officer of ship, because what
ever Inequalities he extends he has to pay for
unaided, while the wardroom officers divide
themselves, but even the latter are apt to find
the tax heavy one. 1 have known my own
wine bill, incurred in this way, to amount
for months together to more than half
my pay. without counting in other things be-
sides d-inkables. Wherever ones ship arrives
in foreign parts, civilities are extended, often
on considerable scale, by the residents to the
officers of the vessel. For example. We arrive
at Calcutta, and the viceroy calls upon the cap
tain to extend an invitation to dinner at his
house. Next. the official dignitaries of the
city give n ball i'll our honor. Distinguished
citizens offer similar courtesies, and 80 it goes
OF course, We must return them all by parties
and dinners on board. As a matter of pride
il is impossible that We should fail to keep up
our end. In other words, we must give our
guests as costly wines AS we have partaken of
at their houses, and there must not be any ap-
parent economy in expenditure. l presume
you are aware how small the pay Is that
we navy men get. Do you think it is fair that
we should have no allowance for purpose SO
clearly official in its nature?
THE NEW ORLEANS EXPOSITION AFFAIR.
'When Admiral Jouett commanded the
squadron of the United States at the New
Orleans exposition he was obliged to take part
in the elaborate civilities which were ex-
changed among the various squadrons there
representing the different powers Of the world.
The commanding officers of the other squad
rons had considerable sums placed at their dis
pOSdl Dy their governments lOr the express
purpose Of doing this entertaining, while our
own government made no provision whatever.
1t was so palpably unfair that the admiral sent
to the department at Washington vouchers for
the expenses for entertaining incurred nos only
by himself, but by the commanders Of the yes
sells other than the flagship. He represented
the case and asked that the vouchers be paid
just as if they were for any other costs Incl
dental to the service. However, the depart
ment replied that it would charge all the sums
against his private account. The amount was
very considerable, and the officers of the
squadron were anxious to relieve him of their
shares but the admiral declined, saying that
he would appeal to Congress for relief.
Whether or not he ever got the money in that
way do not know. ....
VERY DISTRESSING DRAIN ON HIS PURSE.
ut goes without saying that an officer Of the
navy cannot be compelled by law or regulations
to extend social Inequalities, and it sometimes
occurs that man will refuse to take part in
them or to pay for them on the ground that he
canuot afford the expense. But it is very
rarely that this rs done, for the obvious reason
that few fellows care to place tn emselves in the
position OF declining to bear share Of mess
expenditures. Any one Who did 50 hold him
self afoof would necessarily be looked upon
askance by his companions. And
yet it must often be the case that junior
for instance, with family to sup
port on shore and nothing beside his pay to
live upon. finds the drain upon his purse very
indeed. Furthermore, means are,
soon sought to get rid of a man who VII
not pay his scot for entertaining. 1t
is not possible that he should be punished
openly; but in q quiet and effective manner he
finds himself disposed Of His captain writes a
private letter on the subjec: to the department
here, and before long he is transferred, say to
the squadron in the South Atlantic, which is
not obliged to be particularly festive. 1t would
not do to detach him from a foreign squadron
off-hand, because that would seem like punish
ment: but after he gets home a necessity for his
services elsewhere is discovered In the British
navy the officers are largely men of means, and
expensive one that certain ships are regularly
designated as vessels for poor men, wherein
they will not be subjected to the I'M
pleasantness Of trying to keep up appearances
and maintain terms of equality with fellows
who are rich"