The Idaho Springs siftings-news., 1914-01-17

<h,, $40 900 Then he retire with all TINS
money to his credit and with pension In addluon
of from s34 SO to s67 80 month"; according to the
rank he held at the time of retirement. During
the 2s years more than 500 marines have been
placed on the retired list.
There is not a single vacancy in the marine
CORPS It's quota of 10000 men and 334 officers
Is kept filled, reenlistments or recruits taxing up
all the vacancies fast 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 on. it Is not mere mat
ter OF application followed by perfunctory exam
nation which will land man in this service
The examination is severe. This applies especi-
ally to physical fitness. although mental and moral
qualifications considered also and rank high
in the mind OF the recruiting officers.
Applicants at recruiting stations are rejected
for many Men 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 high standard
and will not accept who. in the opinion of the
officers in charge. likely to prove deserters,
towards or weaklings in any way. or who may have
a bad influence on the other men.
Recruiting ofhcers alert in efforts to prevent
the enlistment of any men who try to get into the
service means of escaping from the results OF
misdoing. Such men, it is always feared will try
desertng when opportunity offers When a man
is recruited his Bertillon record is promptly for
warded to Washington where records are search
ed to II he has ever before been enlisted in
any branch OF the service and discharged for
cause AS the recruits 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
it SO well that 40 per cent. of those whose terms
expired re-enlisted for another four-year period.
The training is systematic and careful, developing
the best that Is in a man. There are special ex
ercises for Strengthening weak parts of the body.
which enable the marines to stand the rgors Of
the hardest campaign with minimum OF physical
fatigue The pay for the newly enlisted man is SIS
a 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 marine, after allowing himself fair
amount each month for extras. can retire after 30
years service with more than $4,000 in bank
drawing interest at per cent.
Kipng sings Of him:
"An' after met i'm all the world, a-doin' all
kinds Of things
Like landln. isself with a Gatlin' gun to talk to
them 'eathen kings;
'E sleeps In an a'mmck instead Of cot an q
drills with the deck a slew:
There isn't 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;
'E's sort Of a boomin cosmopolous-soldier and
sailor, too
The American marine. Soldier of the Sea- .
known all over the world from Gibraltar to Yoko-
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 be lessened with the
passing years. The marines have landed and have
the situation well in hand" will continue be the
report heard from them.