Lower coast gazette., 1914-01-17

49, ~ ~ . ~ -. .,l
.h.n en- noo Then he can retire with all this
money. to his credit and with a pension IN ADDITION
Of from 81. so to $3.50 a month, according TO tne
rank he held at the time Of retirement. during
tho % wears more than 500 marines have Deen
placed on the retired list. a.
There is not a single vacancy IN the marlne
corps. It's quota of 10000 men and 334 omcers
is kept filed, re-enlistments or recruits taxing up
all the vacancies as fast as they,occur.
In spite of the attractions which are held OUT
for enlistment in the marine corps, foreign travel,
great variety Of service, comparatively light work
most of the time and 80 on, it Is not a mere mat
ter of application followed by a perfunctory exam'
nation which will land a man In this service.
The examination is severe. This applies espec'.
ally to physical fitness. although mental and moral
qualifications are considered also and rank nlgn
in the mind OF the recruiting oficerss
Applicants at recruiting stations are rejected
for many reasons. Men are not wanted who are
morally unfit any more than are those who can
not meet the desired physical requirements. The
marine corps desires to maintain a high standard
and will not accept men who, in the opinion OF the
officers in charge. are likely to prove deserters,
towards or weaklings in any way. or who may have
q bad influence on the other men.
Recruiting officers are alert in efforts to prevent
the enlistment OF any men who try to get into the
service as a means Of escaping from the results OF
misdoing. Such men, 1t is always feared. will try
deserving when opportunity offers. When a man
is recruited his Bertillon record Is promptly for
warded to Washington. where records are search
ed to see II he has ever before been enlisted in
any branch Of the service and discharged for
cause. As the recruits are not sworn In for four
or FIVE days. this gives time to catch them II they
have tried to get in wrongfully. Criminals are
sometimes caught in this way trying to escape the
clutches Of the law by enlisting in the government
service. Washington has other Bertillon records
besides those made in the recruiting offices.
Enlistment IN the marine corps is for four years.
Last year those who had been in the service liked
1t so well that 40 per cent. Of those whose terms
expired. reenlisted for another ~four.year period.
The training is systematic and careful. developing
the best that is in q man. There are special ex.
ercises for strengthening weak parts of the body,
which enable the marines to stand the rigors OF
the hardest campaign with a minimum Of physical
fatigue. The pay for the newly enlisted man is SIS
q month and keep, which includes food, allow
ances for clothing and so forth. In addition there
is extra pay for men who win Workmanship med.
ais, who receive good.conduct medals and who are
proficient in various lines Of work. 1t has been
shown that a marine, after allowing himself q fair
amount each month for extras. can retire after 80
years service with more than 10000 in bank
drawing interest at 4 per cent.
Kipling sings Of him:
IAN after l met I'm all over the world, a-doin' all
kinds Of things
Like landln' ITSELF with a Gatlin' gun to talk to
them 'eathen kings;
e sleeps In an a'mmick instead Of a cot, an q
drills with the deck on q slew;
There isn't a job on top Of the earth the beggar
don't know to do.
You can leave I'm at night on q bald mans 'ead
to paddle Is own canoe;
Els a sort Of q bloomin cosmopolous-soldier and
sailor, too"
The American marine, Soldier Of the Sea-
known alllover the world from Gibraltar to Yoke.
hama, has been a strong factor in helping to main
tain the prestige Of the United States, to fight its
battles and stand guard on many foreign shores.
This influence is not likely TO be- lessened with the
passing years. The marines have landed and have
the situation we'll in hand" will continue to be the
report heard from them ( fs@ 80
HIS WAY.:oF 1HHSxlNos5
"a thief "a usually something Of q philoso.