The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1891-11-24
MARINE.
Annual Report OF Its Chief to the Score
tary of the Treasury.

Annual Report OF Its Chief to the Secre-
tary of the Treasury. .-"+
WASHINGTON, Nov. 23-Capt. Shepard,
chief of the revenue marine division, in his
annual report to the secretary of the treas
mission during the year cruised 301, 200
miles and boarded &c, 962 vessels, of which
1912 were found violating the law. Fines
incurred amounted to 1884, 900; 1913 dis
trsssed vessels were assisted, their values,
with earRoes, a~ggregating 49, 00, 600. Rev
emu cutters Furthermore rendered material
service to the life saving service during the
persons. Capt. Shepard says that during
the past year the work of the service en-
braced operations of more than ordinary
Importance in several directions. many of
which dealt with issues of an inter
national nature. requiring nice judgment.
AZ such MY was special in
service, n the prompt and efficient man
ner in which it was performed reflects to
the credit of both officers and crews.
Captain Shepard details the work of var
ious cutters of particular interest during
the year, especially those serving in Boring
sea. He recommends that the proclama-
tion prohibiting sale to the natives of
Alaska of breech loading arms and am
munition be rescinded, az the very lives of
those people depend on the success they
meet in hunting, and their present u%nrslia-
BILE Weapons are becoming of little use,
seals and walrus having become not only
very shy, but scarce. Furthermore, the
proclamation only enhances the value of
breech leaders in the hands of unscrupu-
ious traders.
Captain Shepard says a number of new
vesseis is urgently needed for the proper
maintenance of the service, The rapidly
inorAaainu Cpp0roarna of tho rraut 1oIram
the Pacific coast and Puget sound, the
large number OF Chinese unlawfully land
ing, and this enormous quantities OF opium
%smuggled into the United States from con-
tiguous foreign territory; additional ser
vices required of the revenue cutter fleet in
protecting government interests in Alaska,
all demand new and more efficient steam
ers. The vessels at present on duty when
first put into commission filled all require
ments, bat are entirely too small to meet
the enlarged duties of the service. The
policy OF making extensive repairs on old
vessels is a mistaken one.
Capt. Shepard SAYS thore is urgent and
immediate need for two able cruising
steamers for the Pacific coast and two for
the great lakes. The cutters now on the
Pacific coast are not adapted to the ardu-
Gus work recently assigned them in Boring
sea. Stronger and ADLER vessels are needed
to replace them. OF the two vessels re-
quired on the Pacific coast one is needed
for Puget sound and one for San Francisco
and the California coast. They would be
available for annual cruises in Boring sea
and do away with the necessity of calling
for support from cruising uessels of the
navy. 1t would further become practical
BILE on receiving two new vessels for the
Pacific coast to supply the port of San
Diego and the extreme southern coast Of
California with one of the present steam
ers. This would insure more efficient
patrol of the California coast. There is
further need at San Francisco OF q new
boarding steamer, the present one being too
Small for the efficient performance of work
assigned her. There is also urgent need of
some form of relief for the personnel of the
service. Owing to its peculiar status its
officers and men are refused the benefits of
retirements, longevity and pensions. The
present condition of the service is little
short of stagnation. Owing to grades being
blocked by SO many old officers. promotion
comes only through death or occasional
resignation. The attending stagnation has
a demoralizing effect on the active person.
mel of thu service and tends to not only
make officers dissatisfied with their lot. but
the service itself unattractive. Further
more, the duty performed by officers in the
revenue marine ia the most arduous, per-
haps, of any service atloat under the govern
mant.