The Washington herald., 1914-06-14
OUR SAILORS LEAD WORLD.
Efficiency of Americans Inspired by
Prizes and Promotion.

That the jackies of the American navy
who are doing such valiant service in
Mexico just now are the most efficient
body of their kind in the world is the
tribute paid them by the officers in com.
mand and by authorities who have seen
the men of other navies at work II IS
claimed for them that their marksman-
ship is not equaled anywhere and that
the wonderful improvement in their work
with the big guns dates from the Span
ish-American War.
The American navy is composed of
81 500 enlisted men and 3.435 officers To
the apprentice seaman at the training
stations. where they are received Sftet
enlistment are allowed $50 eacA for
clothing and SIS a month for n<sans.
When they go aboard ship they are made
ordinary seamen and receive from sls TO
So month and rations. At each train
ing station there is a school in which
the young men get an elementary educa-
ton Since last January there have been
similar schools on every snip, the idea
being to At the men for advancement!
through the various grades of petty Of
ficer and warrant officer. The real OBJ
iect of the navy is to increase the gem
eral efficiency of the men who make ths
navy life career.
In addition to all this. 800 of the sailors
are now taking courses in correspondence
schools. During the next fiscal year.
June. 1914. to June. 1915. the Federal gov-
ernmeRt will distribute among the men
200 in money. badges and trophies for
expertness in gun practice, and therein.
II is said, lies the reason for the unusual
efficiency Of the men in gun work. For
years the navy has given prizes for rife
practice and small arm practice. but II
was not until after the Spanish-Ameri-
fhar nriTa laI TO-
efficiency in great gun craftsmanship.
According to the officers of the navy.
the efficiency OF the men with the mon
ster guns has increased 1.oO0 per cent
since 1888 The contests, which are held
yearly, involve ship against ship and
the turret crew that makes the best
record in the feet at target practice re-
ceives substantial rewards for excellency
in gunnery. In addition. the men wear
upon their uniforms the letter E.
which is also painted upon the turret. on
the guns and during steaming exercises
on the funnel of the winning ship The
men are said to be exceedingly proud Of
such an honor, and are the envy of the
men on all the other ships
The testimony Of the officers Of the
navy before the House Naval Committee
recently showed that in their opinion the
navy for several years has been getting
a better class of men than formerly, and
that the men seem to be much better
satisfied with their treatment. In 1875
the desertion amounted to 9 per cent OF
the number enlisted, and now II is but
3 "a per cent. The percentage of mer
re-enlisting in 1918 was IS. which is the
greatest in the history of the navy.
The navy is being recruited at the rate
of /. 800 men a month. 1t was frequently
said in the past that men Joined the
navy because they were out of work.
but this has been disproved by records
kept by officers. Every man who en-
ters the navy is asked why he wants
to enlist. and from the answers given
the last few months most of them gave
as their reason the opportunity for for
eign travel. The next reason given was
that they Joined upon the recommended
tion of friends in the navy. The third
reason was to learn a trade, and the
reason given by the fewest, SIS out of
5,SS1, was because they were out Of work
Secretary Daniels, who Is enthusiastic
over his task OF directing this big fight
ing machine. has a plan in view that will
make the navy even more attractive FOR
enlisted men. 1t has been asserted that
the enlitsed man does not have an op-
portunity for advancement. Mr.. Daniels
has asked Congress to authorize him to
select twenty-five men from the navy
not more than twenty-one years old.
who. after examination. shall be eligible
to entrance to the Naval Academy.-Nev
York Times.