The Washington times., 1903-04-12

T y order TO make the American 9sI''o'7
| lives as happy rs is possible under
the rules of the Navy Department, and
with a view to eliminate causes Of de-
sertion. the Secretary OF the Navy or
dered an addition to their rations and
the preparation Of their food by regu-
Iation cooks. that the meals be served
IN a more appetizing manner. This In
novation has been in force q little over
a year now. and, according to Navy De
partmeBt authorities, has borne good
fruit.
Complaints against the food served in
the navy before the change took place
were an everyday occurrence, but have
now almost entirely ceased.
There is more contentment among
Uncle Sans taTs now, and their chosen
career seems to have more attraction
for them, said a high official of the
Navy Department recently. and deser-
lions are decidedly on the decrease. This
is due entirely 10 the Improvement in
his subsistence department"
Thirty Cents the Cost of One Meal.
The Navy Department, by its last
change, so added to Jackie's ration that
his meal actually has a present money
value of 80 cents. BY these additions
the Navy Department authorities expecr
10 build up 2 lot OF seafaring men as
sturdy and as enduring as the Norsemen.
The men are still allowed to commute
one-fourth OF the rations, a pleasing va
riety capable OF maintaining the health
and weII-beiug Of the men in any eli
mate
Jackie is now wholly subsisted al
Uncle Sans expense. and no contribu-
lions are allowed out of the mems pock-
cts. even on high days and holidays. For
these occasions turkey, fowl and fresh
meats are bought through the Govern
ment allowance. and this saves much OF
the gorging that heretofore has generally
caused an enlarged sick list and a
heavy run on the ships stock Of pare
goric. ginger. and the like, for Jackie.
after all. is often only a child of larger
growth.
Canned Beef Not Relished.
Mix. condensed generally. forms a
part Of the new ration, and bareback IS
issued but once a week, while canned
roast beeI and mutton. not relished by
the enlisted force. had to give way to
appetizing ham or shoulder. timed
bacon and canned salmon Sauerkraut
and pickles are on the bill Of fare. An
emergency ration is supplied for land
ing parties and for use in the drills
abandon ship and arm and away"
BY the new regulation cooks are paid
by Uncle sam. and the mess attendants.
heretofore dubbed berth deck cooks, %
likewise are furnished and subsisted en-
tlreIy at the Governments expense.
while extra issues of utensils are made
from time TO time TO meet the reason
able wear ard tear OF the reorganized
cuisine.
Good Cooks on Shipboard
There is a chief commissary steward
on each ship. whose function it IS to
manage entirely the culinary depart
ment His principal assistant IS the
commissary steward. and under the lat
| ter come the various grades Of cooks
and bakers. these being the men who
/ see that Jackie has his soft bread when
the ship is many days at sea and leagues
upon leagues away from shore supplies.
All of these cooks are fully qualified,
not the makesbifts Of the old system,
and there is no reason why the food
should not only be well and appetizing
| " cooked, but just as attractively
| served
The commissary stores, apart from the
! service ration features. are now bought
| through subscription on the part of the
| enlisted men concerned. The first profits
of these stores repay the subscribers
and the extra profits are used to in
/ crease the stock in hand. At the end OF
! a commission the assets of these stores
are equally distributed among the mem
berg of the general mess This, in eff
| feet, is something like an exchange on
/ each ship and permits Jackie to add to
! his fare at modest outlay.