The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1914-08-04
STRICTLY BUSINESS PLAN
Founded On Theory That Navy
Is Business and Educational
Institution - Expected To
Improve Discipline Generally
Throughout The Service
Waiting List Starts

Washington, D. c., Aug. 1.-The
fact that there are now 51,348 en-
listed men in the navy, practically a
full quota. as against a shortage of
over 1000 men on March l., 1913,
has enabled Secretary of the
Navy Daniels to issue a gen.
eral order. which has been
under consideration for months,
which is SO far reaching in import,
and which so modifies the regula-
tions as to permit the greatest free
dom on the part OF the enlisted men,
who for any reason nave becOr- dis
satisfied with the service, to obtain
honorable discharge. 1t permits them
to secure such discharge on request
by merely the refund of certain al
lowances made by the government On
enlistment or establishment. The cr-
der goes a step further and directs as
q general policy that men who have
offended by overstaying leave OF alb
sence by drunkenness on shore, and
similar breaches of discipline, shall
be summarily dismissed instead of be-
ing imprisoned.
n Radical Departure.
The order is a radical departure
from former methods of dealing with
the enlisted personnel who have not
desired to remain in the service. En-
listrnents in the navy have always
been for a definite period-at present
four years-and it has always been
difficult and at times impossible for
men to terminate their contract of
enlistment by honorable DISCHARGE be-
fore the enlistment expired. If q man
remained absent from his ship or
duty after having been granted leave,
this made him a deSerter, n on
conviction involved a prison sentence.
After very careful and thorough
consideration, and after a referendum
IN which the opinions of many of the
highest officers in the navy were OBJ
tanned, the Secretary became con-
vinced that this general situation was
~untenable, and not in keeping with
modern business ideas. The new or.
der is in accordance with the opin.
ions expressed by a majority of the
officers Of the navy, whose views were
invited, n whose long experience
enabled them to speak with authority
The old plan involving long imprison
ment created among enlisted men {
feeling that during their term of en-
iistment, if they desired to leave tn
navy. they We're as if in bO.. dage
Furthermore this feeling on the par
Of the men that their services wer,
required and they would be retained
in the Navy regardless of their con
duct, doubtless in a large measur
accounted for much OF the absenc
over leave or absence without leave
and other o~ffenSe which would neye
be tolerated in any well organize
business establishmenton shore, bu
which have at times been quite prev
alent in the service.
The Navy a Business Concern.
The Secretary recognizes that tn
Navy is in time of peace a very larg
~ NJ - oroa niuafinn thof INV fna1i,1
Of compulsory detention or bondag
on the part of the enlisted force j
undesirable; that the service offer
so many advantages, especially t
those desiring to make of it a lif
work or secure a practical education
tina it can be kept fully recruited wit
men who are willing to obey, and tn
Department, therefore, holds tina
oyerStayed leave. drunkenness O
shore, n similar offenses indicat
merely that the offender is unfit fo
the service. These considerations lie
to the issuance of this new genera
order for discharge rattle
desertion; and to facilitate honorabl
discharge for those who are dissatis
fed.
In order not to be too drastic, tn
j. order permits commanding officers, j
their discretion, to hold a first offend
er on probation on reduced pay f
periods of from six to twelve month
but on repetition of the offense he
summarily discharged.
In order to promote the reform:
ton of men who may lose pay /
sentence of court-martial, it is pr,
vided that those who serve throus
an enlistment and receive an homo
able discharge on it's termination w
have RENTED all pay lost by senten
Of court-martial during that enlis
ment.
Founded on Business Principles.
The order is founded en- bus.ne