The Plymouth tribune. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1901-1911, 1908-04-30
PRAIRIE LADS GOOD SAILORS.

Are Superior Mentally and Physi-
caIly, Recruiting Officer Says.
THE middle West is all right when
1t comes to furnishing good recruits
for the navy" said Lieut.. l. F. Lands,
in c.large of the United States navy
recruiting station here, according to
the Kansas City Star. 1--WE not only
get good men, but we're getting many
OF them. Last month was a record
breaker in point of the number Of en-
listments here. We got ten more yes
terday and three this morning"
Lieut.. Lands is a westerner himself
He was appointed to Annapolis from
Medicine Lodge, Kan, by the late Jer-
ry Simpson, Representative, fourteen
years ago.
There was a time" the lieutenant
said, when the great majority Of the
navy enlistments were made in the
seaports, but the last few years the in
land recruiting stations have been send
ing many men to the navy.
Few Of those who enlist here are
Kansas Cityans. The most of them
come from the farms and smaller
towns near here"
Navy Department data show that a
superior class of mer is obtained from
this section. A smaller number of re-
cruits is rejected for physical causes at
the final examination at the training
stations than those from other parts of
the country and the westerners show
an unusual degree of intelligence and
aptitude for learning their new duties.
While quite a number o. mechanics are
recruited from the western cities, the
majority of the enllstments Is in the
rating of apprenticed seamen. Those
who enlist in this rating are sent to
training stations At present Kansas
City enlisted men go to Norfolk. The
pay at the start is SIG month, but
the men are first given a thorough
course of instruction fitting them FOR
the duties of the seaman branch.
The recruits transportation from the
recruiting office and his board, lodging
and outfit of uniform are furnished by
the government. After mastering the
details of any particular branch Of the
service. as the seaman branch or any
of the mechanical branches the men
are eligible for advancement TO petty
officer. third class, which pays from $50
to $50 month. After that advance
ment, depending upon capability, may
be made to second-class petty officer,
first class petty officer and chief petty
officer. The pay of a chief petty Off
Ger is $40 month, to which are added
free rations, lodgings and medical care.
Extra pay is allowed for certain duties,
such as service aboard submarines, ex-
pertness In signaling or gun pointer.
Re-enlistments and good conduct med
ais also assist to bring a chief petty
officers pay up to SO and $50 a month.
Further advancement is offered to
the man who studies In the warrant
rank. This position pays from 81 200
to $500 a year and allowances and is
a life position, with all the benefits of
longevity, pay and retirement that COM
missioned officers receive.
1t Is possible for an enlisted man
| to secure a commission in the navy.
| The first man to take advantage Of this
law was Lieut. II. b. Soule, u. s. n.
He was serving as gunner in 1901 at
| the time of the passage Of the act and
passed a successful examination that
year, receiving an appointment as en-
sign. He is now lieutenant. He en-
tered the service as apprentice, third
class, at 50 a month.