The Red Cloud chief., 1911-09-14
CRXW REXlY ~ NGNN R%

service were to apprehend smugglers and pirates,
but It IL not the less suitable In this age when In
addition to the quest for such enemies Of the law
the revenue cutter organization is obligated to
lend aid to every form Of life saving at sea-for
It Is recognized that the ideal policeman ID
charged not only with the duty of protecting life
and property, but also with responsibility for aid
Ing humanity In distress under any circumstances.
The United States revenue cutter service has
had q most interesting history. After the freedom
Of the American colonies had been won through
the Revolutionary war, the country returned to .
peace basis and the continental navy was dis
banded. From that time forward there was no
yea force available for the protection OF the coasts
and the maritime interests Of the new republic
until there came a. q response to . long-felt want
the organization Of the revenue cutter service.
This was one Of the acts Of our hrst congress.
President George Washington signed the act In
August, 1870, and within little moro than Q year
ten vessels were ready for duty. Thereafter for
D period Of nearly seven years the little Meet
formed the only armed force ahoat Tying the
stars and stripes, and the ships were constantly
engaged In patroling the ~coastline Of the country
and enforcing its maritime laws. The nrst op-
p%ointments Of officers In the revenue cutter serv.
Ice were made from among those who had served
In the continental navy. and since that m many
men who prepared themselves for our naval serv.
leo have amended their life plans to the extent
of taking commissions In the maritime police
toroe.
The work OF the revenue cutter service. a. do
aned BY the various laws which have been en-.
acted on the subject. consists In the enforcement
Of almost every statute bearing upon the maritime
interests Of the nation. At the head OF the cate
cory comes, of course. the protection OF the Gus
toms revenue and II smuggling In any form ID
suspected the revenue cutter ofacers have the
right Of search of'all merchant vessels arriving
within or near the United States or bound TOR an
American port. The suppression OF piracy Is not
Q heavy responsibility any more. but the search
for wrecked and missing vessels Is q RESPONSE
nifty which has expanded as the other has con-
tracted. The enforcement Of the neutrality laws
10 always something Of a chore. thanks to the
South and Central American revolutions that are
Matched In the United States. Another important
task Is found In the enforcement OF law and the
protection Of property In Alaska. including the
protection of the seal and other fisheries In Alas
kan water-a form Of oceanic patroling which has
been productive of many exciting epiaodes In re-
cent years.
The suppression Of mutiny is another duty dele
gated to Uncle Sans police OF the sea. but mu.
tineers alike to pirates have become rather scarce
in the neighborhood Of Uncle Sans domains In
late years. On the other hand there has been .
tremendous increase In the volume of work 70
uuired In connection with the destruction OF de-
relicts and other menaces to navigation and In
the rendering Of assistance to vessels In distress.