The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1914-01-16

than $4,000. Then he can retire Win All liis
money to his credit and with pension N aouitlon
Of from s345O to $67.5O amonth. according to the
ronL he held at the time of retirement. DURING
the % wears more than 500 marines nave Deen
placed on the retired list.
There Is not a single vacancy in the marine
corps It's quota of 10000 men and 3S4 o1ncers
is kept filed re-enlstments 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 hgnt WORK
most of the time and SO on, 1t Is not mere mat
ter of application followed by perfunctory exam
ination which will land a man in this service
The examination is severe This applies especi-
ally to physical fitness although mental and moral
qualifications are considered also and rank high
in the mind Of the recruiting officers.
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 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
a bad influence on the other men.
Recruiting officers alert in efforts to prevent
the enlistment Of any men who try to get into the
service as means of escaping from the results OF
misdoing. Such men, it is always feared, will try
deserving when opportunity offers When man
is recruited his Bertillon record is promptly for
ed to see If 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
FIVE days, this gives time to catch them If 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
II wrroIl4 hat nj Of fhnSo VIII form
expired re-enlisted for another four-year period.
The training is systematic and careful developing
= the best that is in 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 is SIS
a month and keep, which includes food, allow
ances for clothing and forth. In addition there
is extra pay for men who win Workmanship med
ais, who receive goodcond1ct 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 80
years service with more than $4,000 In bank
drawing interest at per cent
KiEling sings Of him:
'"An after met i'm all over the world a-doin' all
kinds of things
Like landh9' ITSELF with Gatlin' gun to talk to
them eathen kings;
e sleeps in an a'mmick instead of q cot, an q
drills with the deck on 3 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 a bald mans 'ead
to paddle is own canoe;
Els sort OF bloomin' cosmopolous- soldier and
sailor. too"
The American marine. Soldier OF the Sea, >
known all over the world from Gibraltar to Yoke
hama, has been 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 essened with the
passing years "The marines have landed and have
the situation well in hand" will continue to be the
report heard from them