Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1912-01-31
OUR LIGHTHOUSE SERVICE.
Urgent Plea for Retirement and
Pension Provision.



The annual report Of Commissioner
George r. Putnam, OF the bureau OF light
houses, for the fiscal year ended June 80,
1911, shows that the service now employs
$500 persons, and is more extensive than
any other organization Of its kind in the
world. The lighthouse service is now
divided into nineteen districts and pro-
vides over 900 aids to navigation along
our entire coast line and principal interior
rivers, exclusive OF the Philippines ana
the Panama canal zone. This number in
cludes q net increase OF 475 aids estab-
lished during the past fiscal year.
Besides the administration OF the SER
vice as usual, various notifications in the
business methods have been made which
involved the Introduction OF cost keep
ing system, general lighthouse inspector
and an examiner, or travelling auditor to
60 systematically from district to district
and examine both technical and business
methods, the maintenance OF vessels, etc.
The Importance Of improving the SER
vice in Alaska was also recognized, and a
separate district created for that purpose.
The number OF lights there has been
doubled, so that it now reaches seventy
four, and two unlighted beacons, twenty
two buoys, and one fog signal have also
been added to the old inefficient equip
ment. Preliminary arrangements have
been made for the installation OF twenty
seven additional lights for the estab-
lishment Of a first-class light and fog sig
nal station at Cape st. Elias during the
current fiscal year. There are now 236 aids
to navigation in Alaska.
Considerable good work has been ac-
complished during the year in investiga-
tons and experiments in developing i'm
proved lights and apparatus for the SER
vice, and steps have been taken for the
improvement OF fog signals, particularly
with q view to having them sounded in
SANITY on the approach of fog. Investi-
CATION Is being made OF the availability OF
wireless telegraphy for fog signals.
This report covers the first year of the
service under the organization which be-
came effective July /, 1910, through an act
OF Congress, placing it under a simple
bureau form in the department OF COM
merce and labor. This has resulted in
saving in personnel, rents OF offices and
docks, and lighthouse tenders, yet the
service has been considerably extended as
shown.
In submitting the report, Commissioner
Putnam earnestly Urges the great need Of
provision by law for the retirement OF
employees who, after long service, have
lost their ability for active duty by reason
OF age or disability incident to their work
The average annual pay OF lighthouse
keeper is but $500, and 1t is estimated that
fully quarters OF the employees of
the service perform hazardous deeds an
nually in connection with their duties;
yet II they meet with injury while so emf
ployed. or become incspacitated through
exposure or old age, there is no alterna-
tive but their dismissal.
This is not only inhuman, as Commission
er Putnam says, but it is short-sighted on
the part OF the government, as it defeats
its aim to get efficient service. England,
Germany, France, Denmark, Holland,
Norway and Sweden are all wiser than we
in this respect in making retirement pro-
visions or giving pensions direct 10 the
personnel of their lighthouse services.