The Topeka state journal., 1914-02-14

first goes on duty. This outtlt Is
worth $50 and usually lasts the sailor
two years. After this the clothes must
be furnished by the sailor, an expense
which amounts to about 81 q month.
The men OF trades. who do not en-
list as seamen. are sent to q rece1v1ng
station not far from San Francisco.
Tho receiving ship il on the California
coast at Mares Island. Here they
learn the trades and are later sent on
board ships Experienced workmen
are placed on duty as soon as possible
The pay of workmen varies from
$24.20 to $70.50 a month.
Much Of tho Drudgery Eliminated.
The sailor Of today has little of the
drudgery of the sailor Of fifty years
ago. Instead Of climbing tall masts
and reef1ng sails. the Jackie in Uncle
Sans navy makes the warshtps
'tspick and span" He devotes much
of his time with the big guns and the
best in the world.
The sailor in the navy has to get up
rather early in the morning. The
reveille is sounded every morning at
o'clock in the summer and $50 in the
winter time. Those who were on
duty during the night have a later
time to awaken.
The sailors are allowed half an
hour to lash up their hammocks,
drink q cup of hot coffee and smoke.
The government allows the sailors to
smoke when not on active duty. At
$3.50, everybody turns to- and cleans
the part of the ship to which he has
been assigned and then prepares for
breakfast. The first meal in the day
is at 1880.
The ships band of fifteen pieces
gives short concert after breakfast
and the call is sounded again to turn
to-" Any one who is ill at this time
can report and attention Of the ship
doctor is given to the patient.
At 9:15 quarters is sounded and
every one joins his division. The
clothing and personal appearance OF
each sailor is inspected by division
officers and report filed with the ex-
ecutive officer. who in return reports
to the captain.
Drill. Drill. Drill
After inspection. they have "setting
up drill, exercises being conducted
with the aid of band music. After
this drill call is sounded and drills
| occupy the time Of the seamen until
| 11:45. The drills are numerous, bat
terry drill, instruction with rifle or re-
| volver. boat drill (pulling and sail
| ing), signal drill. instruction in first
aid to the wounded, fire quarters. col
of drills. The tradesmen are giver
instructions in their line Of work OF
are working at this time.
| At HAS mess gear" is sounded
| and fifteen minutes later q large body
Of hungry Yankee bluecoats file into
the dining hall and enjoy square din.
ners.
| From 1880 until one o'clock a sec
ond band concert is given. Aftel
that various work is performed by
the sailors until 3:30, after which
time the men are at leisure the res
of the day and evening. Supper Il
served at six o'clock, hammocks arr
served out at seven and at nine al
unnecessary lights are turned out ant
complete quiet restored.
! Moving Picture Machines on Ships
Nearly every ship has a MOVING
picture machine and a set Of films
Trading films with movies from othe
| ships and renting new ones occasion
/ shows two or three times q week &C
companied by band concerts.
Each man is allowed thirty day
! off each year, taken all at once or II
sections as the sailor desires. Satur
day afternoons and Sundays are holi
days, services being conducted on tn
latter days.
i This is the life that many Kansa
youths lead every day. There ar
l several thousand men recruited int
the navy every year and as a bod
the men are satisfied with their lot
They have little expense. have mucl
time free, have best of medical atten
ton and other care and the disciplin
is of the best.