The Republican journal., 1904-12-22

lprehant Marine Commission
ryestigate the condition Of
marine Rear Admiral p. f.
rsesent commander at the
ard, testified yesterday.
be-, officers of our merchant
.u. allthat could be DESIRED"
t-uee and training were con-
irthey compared unfavorably
y ike grade in foreign ser
not know the data upon
4 harrington bases his in
can we conceive of any
the accuracy or inaccuracy
may be readily determined.
If The officers engaged in the
rinsoceanic trade under the
has always appeared to be
IN at least, no incident of
lat we can now recall proves
contrary. 1t is a pity that
of Admiral Harrington's
nj make a statement of this
limiting proof in support
Eagle, November 26.
. Of the merchant marine
t. nited States, to which
ulg. although not on the
We sincerely thank our
-emporary for so promptly
voluntary misrepresenta-
merchant mariner by an
~ navy before a commits
"a by Congress to ascer-
IA be done to improve the
american seamtn, which
a includes officers. 1t is a
mat nowhere in the COM
ult to Congress will be
Jjement that the "mer-
ulcers of the United
a4l that can be desired in
impotence, and that as
ION and training. they
fayorably with foreign
IS" unless the admiral
IS charge by a sworn
oSe competent to know
untrue.
been much opportunity
"A our merchant marine
competence and train
tm ships in the oversee
Ir years. in consequence
y Of ships engaged in it
nut those few who have
in this small fleet of
md steamers have given a
cory account of them
y owners, the under
hose who have taken
hem, which is the best
~ nave been neither Gin
pr lacking in ''training,'
formed their duty ably
~ This being the fact,
H9y not have referred to
If our sea-going ships
-astlgation, but to those
team and sail coastwise
eign ports.
service on any sea that
men more "competent'
ned" than those in charge
ise steamers and sailing
ave yet to learn where.
lral ever made a trip in
u to 4,00U-ton Old Domin-
that run daily be-
ri and Norfolk, during a
hurricane severity with
in winter, or a dense fog
edged around by large
Golfers every hour, he
nave charged the officers
els with lack of "com-
training" AS everyone
eryice is far more exact
water voyages; still these
III it, year i'll and year out,
II yet lost a ship.
Inc, operating a large feet
etween this port and ports
Mexico, which come and
md successfully, are COM
icers who hold their posi-
trough their competence
for the service they are
Also, the Southern Pacific
.rgan Line has a class of
re the pride of this port
ans, between which they
of them selected for his
and training as are all
our American lines, too
mention here, run on a
wi service system, their
promoted as they become
nd trained"
III another class that our
, the Eagle, defends with
giving it much thought,
rises the officers of three,
and seven-masted schoon-
our coast or go off shore
are sent. seldom failing
re they point" Will the
y inform us what degree
&c and training" he would
d had he been taken from
any time after he became
.er up to the time he be-
raj and placed on board a
choOner to make the trip
IS of Virginia to the coast
ded nearly "decks to the
dead of winter at a time
often to be "Iugged" to
, shore and every drop of
S freezes? We are of the
uld have made as great a
h navigation as those en-
Duld make in attempting
leship.
doubtless remembers the
zelda with loss of life in
ers; the Huron, with ter
officers and men on the
t; the Tallapoosa, in the
al; the Despatch, off Chin
kearsarge, on ROncador
E collisions of battleships
ar, and others picking up
lcharted rocks, torpedo
RS running wild and in
ur East River, and SO on
Grated many more fatal
laval vessels in times of
time for extraordinary
mt, than to the merchant
1 comparison to numbers.
,tion of these facts naval
and training" has not yet
at of the merchant ma
.ho has trained himself
h natures greatest teach