Tulsa daily world. [volume] (Tulsa, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1905-1919, 1911-12-10
Lighthouse Service Report Tells
Many Actions of Daring HerOism
Hazardous Nature of Daily Duties of Thousands of En-
plCyees-!mperilng of Life and Limb Of Sturdy and
Brave Guardians of Navigation and All For
Mere Average Pittance of Some 5000 Year

Washington, ID. c., Dec. s.-Acts of
heroism and instances OF casualties In
the line Of duty among the faithful
army men--and women, too, for the
late Ida Lewis, Americas Grace Dar-
lin," was one of them-who keep the
government light and beacons burning
along the shores Of tho oceans, lakes
and larger rivers, are cited In the re-
port for the fiscal year eneded June
30 last, which Commissioner George
II. Putnam, of the bureau Of light
houses, has submitted to Secretary
Of the department Of Commerce and
labor.
These show the hazardous nature Of
the daily duties of fully three-fourths
Of the $500 present employees Of the
service, which is more extensive than
any other lighthouse organization in
the world. Notwithstanding this con-
tinual imperilllng Of limb and life, the
average annual salary Of lighthouse
keeper Is but 5000, although some of
them earn more, while others make
considerably less These sturdy, brave,
and loyal guardians of navigation are
drawn generally from among the
hardy people who have been brought
up by the sea and have taken up this
dangerous work, as it seems to appeal
to them specially.
The Aged and the Disabled Must BE
Discharged.
Notwithstanding the small pay
-. A. Ia,
stands, those who are unable to per-
form their duties must be discharged.
1t does not matter whether the em-
ploye, advancing in age, is racked
and twisted with rheumatism from eX-
posure to the furious gales of summer
and winter, or whether he, still in the
the prime of youth is incurably Grip
pied from a daring rescue of human
lives from the waters Of the sea.
Reorganization of the Service.
The act of congress Of June II,
1910, providing for more direct ad-
mlnistraton of the service by placing
it under simple bureau form of or
ganization, in the department of Com
merce and labor, went into effect July
/, 1910, and the report therefore,
covers the first year of the new ar
rangement.
There has been, as consequence
Of the reorganization, saving in per-
sonnel, amounting to about 200 po-
sitions; in rents of offices and docks,
and particularly in the use of light
house tenders; and yet the service has
been steadily extended.
In carrying out the changes in the
personnel an effort was made to avoid
causing hardship to persons long in
the service. When II was necessary to
reduce the number Of positions in any
district the employees so discontinued
were transferred to other places in the
service, or, when practicable to other
branches Of the government. To pro-
mote te efficiency of the service
in technical lines of work a plan has
been formed to have young men with
suitable preliminary technical educa-
tion enter the lower grades to be
trained for the higher positions. In
pursuance Of this plan steps have been
taken for the appointment of aids,
cadet officers and cadet engineers.
Commissioner Putnam earnestly
states, therefore, that there is great
need for provision by law for the re-
tirement of employees who, after long
service have lost their ability for ac-
tive duty by reason of age or disa.
bility incident to their WORK He con-
siders II Is not only a matter of hu-
manity but business proposition and
in the best interests of the service.
In England the lighthouse organiza-
ton has a retirement system in the
form Of life assurance policy. After
three years of service each employe
is given one and in case of disability
or superanuation te proceeds of 1t
provide a means of maintenance for
life. Germany France, Denmark,
Holland, Norway and Sweden have
straight pension funds.
Provision should be made, the COM
missioner add. for compensation to
persons injured while engaged in
hazardous employment in the light
house service, by extending to them
the benefits Of the act of May 80, 1908,
granting to certain employees OF the
United states the right to receive from
ii compensation for injuries sustained
in the course of their employment"
The only persons in the service now
entitled to the benefits of this law are
the artisans or laborers employed at
the general lighthouse depot at Tomp-
kinsville. N. Y, which has been con-
strued to be manufacturing plant"
under the terms of this act. Much OF
the work of the service is of a hazard
Gus nature, such as the construction
and repair of lighthouses and beacons,
sometimes in very difficult locations.
the handling of gas bouys and gas
tanks, and of other heavy weights on
vessels. II Is believed that there is
no class Of government employees more
Justly entitled to consideration in case
of injury while engaged on hazardous
duty.
The Past Years Work.
The lighthouse service is charged !
with lighting and maintenance of
light vessels. bouys, and
other aids to navigation, along all the |