The enterprise. [volume] (Harlem, Mont.) 1899-1926, 1911-01-26

~sI- HE glare and glitter of brass
.E1#A bands and soldiery have un-
XdM y bounded attraction for the
NWNX average full-blooded boy;
49, but add to this the fascina-
ton of the sea and navy
life, visiting the ports of the world,
he envy Of all their acquaintances on
land with good living, good pay, and
certain advancement, and you have a
condition that would be even more
appealing.
Just this life Is open to every boy
pf seventeen, and practically as we'll
is theoretically, he can keep going up
hs far as he likes, and at the same
time will have the advantage Of the
best kind of direction and good
home; for Uncle Sans navy depart
ment is veritable father to his blue
Jacket children.
These sound like strong statements,
particularly in view of occasional
criticisms that are made; but, to
quote one Of the government state
ments, in nearly all instances these
reports were circulated by men who
have been discharged for bad conduct,
br who have been punished on &C.
count Of bad behavior and have left
the navy for the navy's good
Anyhow, by starting out your boy
as a man-o'war's man, no matter what
particular bent he may have he will
find here the education and training
and pay all the while, that will de-
ve1op him into the highest possible
up as seaman, as clerk, stenog-
rapher and bookkeeper; in hospital
work: as tailor, steward or a
cook; as carpenter, machinist,
plumber, painter, ship filter, copper
smith, blacksmith, or boiler maker;
as a gunner. as an electrician, as a
fireman, as musician or as baker.
And, unlike conditions on the land,
he will be sent to school by his en-
ployers, all the while under pay, and
given every facility to enable him to
improve in his work, ability and char
acter. And after he has risen as high
as he can, Uncle Sam let's him retire
at about forty-seven to fifty, even
though he hasn't succeeded In getting
into the commissioned officer class by
that time, on a life income of as high
as $3.50 a month.
At the same time that one of sever
al of these lines of work are being
mastered the government fosters
fencing and boxing matches, concerts
on the ship every night and morning,
dancing, minstrel shows by the crews
own troupe, use of the boats belong
ing to the warship for sailing or to go
fishing, football, baseball, boat racing,
furnishing everything necessary to en-
able the bluejackets to enjoy them
selves. One-fourth of the crew is
given shore leave daily after after
noon drill, and may remain away till
the following morning, and on
Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sunday
afternoons they may go earlier.
How to enlist for life's work Of
this sort Is best shown by quoting
from one of the pamphlets issued by
the bureau of navigation: IF you are
between the ages of seventeen and
thirty-flve years, and have height of
five feet two to six feet three inches,
and weigh lis to 176 pounds, with
chest measurement of 80 to 36s4
inches, write letter to the bureau Of
Navigation, Navy Department. Wash
ington, d. c., stating that you wish to
enlist in the navy, and the bureau
will Immediately write you, giving
you the address of the recruiting sta
ton nearest you. and this recruiting
station will examine you physically
and accept or reject you. The govern
ment pays your expenses from point
of enlistment to training station or
ship; but does not pay your expenses
to the recruiting Office" The only
mental requirement is that the appli-
cant be able to read and write the
English language.
The recruit is first sent to the
training school at Newport Rhode
Island, where he is given without
charge complete outfit of clothing
valued at $50, and is then ready for
instruction in drills and manual of
arms: in taking care of his clothing
how to swim, to box the compass to
heave the lead, to make knots, spice
ropes, coil down gear, to make bitches
and bowlines, to sail and row boats;
how to take care of rifle and re-
volyer and to shoot, etc. If he is in
dustrious, he may be promoted to be
apprentice petty officer while he is
still at training school at an increase
Of from 81 to $3.50 month. His pay
on the start is $17.60 month. After
four months at the school he Is given