Daily inter mountain., 1899-12-09

No matter that has been considered
by the Naval department for some time
has attracted as much attention as the
recent proposal that the old receiving
ships that are now in use be abolished
and that shore barracks be provided for
the accommodation of the so-called "eX-
ira men" and apprentices. During the
past two years the government has shown
disposition to pay proper attention 10
the interests of the navy.
The war with Spain was the cause that
brought about renewal of interest in
department that had been permitted TO
deterorate to almost the lowest possible
point and it seems to be the present pur-
pose of the government to place the navy
on plane of equality with the navles OF
other nations. New crafts are contracted
for other vessels are proposed. more
men are being enlisted and now 1t is
stated that the naval authorities are
seriously considering the stability OF
replacing the receiving ships with COM
Portable and attractive shore barracks:
A few years ago such project would
have seemed like the idle dream of Nls-
ionary.
While the shore barrack question Is
somewhat new to this country it is
scheme that has been tried in Europe
with the greatest of success. In both
England and France the sailors delight
in their barracks and their coming into
port is made more enjoyable by the fact
that they have something that bears
some resemblance to home to look for
ward to. After a couple of years tossing
about on the seas and visiting foreign
ports months stay at home is indeed
pleasure and the fact that they are ab e
to get away from the old associations OF
shipboard makes them appreciate their
visit even more.
1t is not only this feature. however.
that recommends the barrack system
to those who are studying the problem
of the best method to house the sailor
In every naval yard there are always
a large number of extra men and ap-
prentices and the question of providing
proper accommodations for them is
difficult problem. To house them on
some antiquated ship is a hardship that
racks their souls and makes them discon-
tented With their lot, While the barrack
system seems to have solved the dllfl-
Guilty.
This is the experience of the naval au-
thorties in Europe and it was this fact
that brought the matter to the attention
of the naval department in this country.
A few months ago Captain A. ). Crown
insheld was sent abroad to make per-
sonal study of the barrack system and
it is his report that will soon be acted
upon by the government. In this report
he finds that there was no exagge!atlon
in the statement that the barrack system
had been highly successful and ne SUBJ
10lIS the OplllOU liIdt luS .dUoptioh VI -
similar system by this country would not
cost more than $2,500,0 600.
At the present time there are many
receiving ships in use in this country.
There is the Wabash at Boston. the
Vermont at New York. the Franklin at
Norfolk, the Dale at Washington ana
the independence at San Francisco At
these naval stations there are more than
5000 men who are waiting to so 70 sea.
OF these 1000 are extra men, and more
than 5000 are apprentices.
According TO the naval system OF this
country apprentices are en$stted pc
teen the ages of IA and p years. They
are boys who must go to school in the
navy until they have learned to De nrst
class fighting men, able seamen and petty
and warrant officers Of course it is i'm
possible for them to rise to be commits
stoned officers and yet il they become
warrant officers they hold special kind
OF commission and can neither be dis
charged or degraded until they have been
tried by court martial and their would-be
sentence has been approved by the presl-
dent of the United States. That such a
position is not at all an undesirable one is
shown by the fact that the pay Of such
men. as, for instance, boatsWain, gunner,
carpenter or sailmaker, ranges from $So
to 500 month, according to their ef1l-
cheney or length of service.
The extra men," of which the naval
department has so many on it's hands
are regular blue jackets and members OF
the engineering force who are being held
in readiness until some vessel that re-
quires their services may go into commits
sion Some of these men have just beer
enlisted but the majority are those who
have been attached to vessels that have
been withdrawn from commission anc
they must be housed somewhere unit
they can be given another opportunity t
go to sea.
The receiving ships on which these
men are now housed are old Steam o