The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-07-17

The pay of staff of1cers-that is, the engi-
neers, surgeons, paymasters, etc., is slight
ly greater in the lower grades and about
the same in the higher as compared with
line officers of the same relative rank Off
GERS retired for age or incapacity resulting
from incident of service receive three
fourths of their sea pay. When retired for
incapacity for other cause they get much
lower pay, varying according to cause. Con-
trary to the general popular notion, naval
officers clothe and feed themselves out of
their own pockets. They also house them
selves, except when on board ship or when
stationed at navy yard where quarters
are provided True, they are allowed, while
at sea, the munificent sum of 80 cents per
diem for their rations, but this does not
furnish three particularly hearty meals
Gay; 1t makes but the small addition of
$l09 so per annum to their pay.
Furthermore, officers of the American
navy have to pay out of their own pockets
for the entertainment, not only of their own
personal friends, but of officials, the guests
or the Nation. In rare cases, such as the re-
cent Columbian naval review and the
Queens jubilee in England, Congress has
made special appropriations to defray the
cost of international Inequalities extended
by American naval officers, but these are
the exceptions. Foreign nations allow GER
tain sums regularly every year to the Off
GERS of their war ships, to be expended in
extending courtesies to national guests. The
United States does not; so, through pride in
their uniform, American officers have 20
bear this expense out of their own slender
incomes.
The pay of the enlisted men varies from 50
per month, received by a third-class appren-
t1ce, to $50 per month, which is the compen-
sation of chief machinist An Ordinary
seaman" receives $19, a seaman" $24 and
"landsman, who is an unskilled recruit, SIG
per month. Men in the artifcer class, such
as blacksmiths, electricians boiler-makers
etc, get from $35 to $50 per month All en-
listed men. like officers, receive their 30
cents per diem for rations. Furthermore
there Is an increase in pay for each re-en-
lStment
One important step. conducting to efficien-
cy taken by the Navy Department dur
ing the past year was the elevating of the
status of gun captains, who are now spe-
clally rated as such, with pay ranging from
$3o to $50 per month. Formerly, the gun
captain was chosen simply by reason of his
rank on shipboard; that is, no man could
be gun captain, however good his marks
manship, unless he held some petty office,
such as boatswain's mate, coxswain, or
something of the sort Now, the gun cap
tain is the best shooter and manipulation of
the weapon in the latter's crew. regardless
of his standing otherwise on board, and he
receives extra pay for his qualities 1t will
be at once observed that the pay of the
listed men Of the navy does not compare
well with the cOmpenSationS given for call
skill, experience, and industry. On the other
hand, the man-of-warsman has rent to
pay, his food costs him little, owing to the
messing together of large numbers Of men,
and his medical attendance is free. He is
cared for when injured, his pay is absolutely
sure. and he is also sure of job for life if
he behaves himself. for the government
agrees to re-enlist him indefinitely provided
he appears for re-enlistment within three
months from each discharge.
The pay of the marine corps is the same
as that of the army, which means that the
marine officers are better paid than those
of the navy by two or more hundred dollars
per annum, while the men are not so we'll
paid as their naval comrades. The enlisted
men of the marine corps though, are fur
bluejackets have to pay for their own. so
the net incomes are about equal in the end.