The Irish standard., 1914-01-31

We ask that the bill which has been
submitted be incorporated into the ap.
oropriation bill, and we trust that in
lis way the result we are seeking
will be attained.
Mr.. Witherspoon. What is your
idea about this This proposition is
to have 70 chaplains, l believe?
The Chairman. Sixty.
Mr.. Witherspoon. Sixty chaplains.
That would be a chaplain on each of
the 80 battleships. There are great
many small ships like destroyers and
submarines, ships, of that kind, where
a chaplain could not we'll live. What
is your idea about how the men on
those ships would be furnished with
religious srevices?
Father O'Hern. My idea is that
there should be one chaplain for ev.
cry 1000 men. That is absolutely ne.
cessary. No chaplain can competently
care spiritually for more than thou.
sand men.
The Chairman. May suggest in
answer to your question that the tor.
pedo boats submarines. and small
craft are usually kept at the base sta.
tion or in groups, and the chaplain
would serve. them in groups.
Mr.. Witherspoon. And live on the
ship?
The Chairman. He might, or he
might live on the mother ship that
goes with the smaller craft.
Mr.. Kelley. Do you think there is
any force to the suggestion which l
have heard made that rank might tend
to separate the chaplain from the men
rather than bring them together?
Father O'Hern. No, Sir; think the
rank would give the chaplain certain
prestige which would increase the eff.
ficiency of his work. That is my
opinion.
Mr.. Buchanan. You made a state.
ment in regard to socialism. Do you
mean socialism as propounded by the
Socialist Party?
Father O'Hern. The socialism l re-
fer to is that of one who would say
to man wearing uniform, "Why are
you wearing that uniform?" or "You
are not fighting for the Government
you are fighting for Hearst or Guggen.
helm. Take off that uniform. You
are not serving the country, but you
are serving a few rich men who con-
troll the country"
Mr.. Buchanan. Has that been said
by men in the Navy?
Father O'Hern. This argument has
been used at certain posts and has re-
suited in desertions. The influence to
counteract such arguments is the
teaching of patriotism and love of
country, and the duty of bearing bur.
dens for the common good, even though
they weigh heavily upon the individual
for time. This the chaplain is best
fitted to do.
Mr.. Buchanan. Have you an infor.
nation as to who is responsible for
that?
Father O'Hern. Not as to their
names.
Mr. Hensley. You speak of the rem.
edy. Have you ever thought of there
being efficacy in an effort made by
people in acknowledgements, for in
stance-to equalize conditions so that
one can not point to men like Guggen
helm and others being the principal
beneficiaries?
Father O'Hern. have thought OF
that.
Mr.. Hensley. Some responsibility
rests there also?
Father O'Hern. Yes, sir; l believe
it does.
Mr.. Roberts. Suppose the commit.
tee and Congress should see fit or
could only see their way clear to in.
creasing the number of chaplains to
60, substantially under present condi.
tions of rank and pay, would you be
opposed to that form of relief for the
situation, because the pay was not in.
creased and the rank was not given?
Father O'Hern. No, sir. While
desire the chaplains to be put on an
equal footing with the others, l would
be willing to take something less as
regards rank and pay in order that we
might get the increased number OF
chaplains.
Mr.. Roberts. In other words, hall
a loaf would be better than no bread!
Father O'Hern. Yes, sir. Still, ]
think they should not be Disseminated
against.
Mr.. Browning. Is your plan of legis
lation practically embodied in the bill
which has been presented?
Father O'Hern. Yes, sir.
Mr.. Browning. What is your opin
ion of the welfare secretaries.
Father O'Hern. Now that you have
asked me, with your permission shall
explain it. The welfare-secretary is
sue should not be mixed up with the
chaplain issue. The chaplain, as
have said, is a religious leader entire
ly separate and distinct from the vel