Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-06-18

on record as the only member of the service
who travels child's fare. When Super
intendent Rich got low rate for some one
weighing less than one hundred pounds the
officials naturally supposed 1t was for one
of the children of the surfmen, but 1t is
strongly suspected that he had Captain
Jack up his sleeve all the time At any
rate, 1t was demanded that he get the
child's rate, as he was under the stipulated
number Of pounds. and the road was obliged
to concede the point. Captain Jack Is just
as brave as though he could measure the
full six feet that some of our surfmen can
boast, and his record as a life saver is a
most creditable one. He is considered an
excellent man in boat and his record for
individual rescues Is remarkable. Captain
Jack will never have rival of his size, as
the life-saving service is now under the
civil service. The rules demand five feet
six inches height, and not less than 1875
pounds weight.
Requirements Of the Service.
A surfman must be able to read and write.
Beyond this no education is required, but
he must be well nigh perfect physically. He
has to undergo a rigid physical examina-
ton each year. After he becomes keeper
he Is not re-examined until he reaches the
age of ffty-fve. man must serve at
least a year before he is eligible for promo
ton, and he Is supposed to have had at
least three years experience as a fisher
man, sailor or surfman before he can enter
the service. When a vacancy among the
keepers occurs, either uy death or retire
ment, the district superintendent recon-
mends some surfman in active service who
in his opinion Is best fitted for the position
of keeper The record Of the surfman, his
individual rescues. general ability and phys
1cal condition are taken into consideration
in these recommendations which are for
warded to General Superintendent Kimball
in Washington. He then passes upon each
candidate and reports favorably to the Sec
rotary of the Treasury, who commissions
the new officer.
The Surfmen's Mutual Benefit Associa-
ton is solely to furnish an insurance FUND
from which In case a surfman loses his life
there will be paid to his surviving family
thousand dollars. The federal govern
ment itself provides sick benefit. The
and the annual conventions thus bring to-
gether men from all parts of the service
and the interchange of ideas is especially
valuable to all. There are about 1000 surf
men In the United States a large proper
ton of which are now enrolled as mem
bers of the association. At the recent con-
vention a large number of applications
were received from non-members who de-
sire to receive membership certificates, and
the convention of next season will, beyond
doubt, be double the size of the very credit
able showing that was made this year.
The following officers were elected for the
ensuing year: President Capt N B. Rich
superintendent of the sixth district; first
vice president, Capt. D. M. Pugh of the
seventh district: second vice president
Surfman Atwood of the second district;
secretary and treasurer, Capt. J. T. Wes-
colt of the seventh district. Major Piper
of Washington, D. c.. the assistant general
made an address In which the work of the
life savers was admirably set forth