The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1914-07-17
LETTER FROM VERA CRUZ
Experience of FlatfOet Vixen Enter
ing the Navy by John Romspert.

ing the Navy by John Romspert.
IL IL my opinion that the majority OF
the people and especially those living
inland, have certain fixed ideas as To
the life and habits of a man-o-wars-
man, Commonly called 1atfoot among
themselves) which probably be en-
Hghtened by few words from one
who is In that walk of life himself.
In the first place, the Navy of Uncle
Sam is not as is supposed, composed
or nothing but eX-convicts, laWbreak-
ers and scum from the large cities,
although some of them manage to pass
the rigid inspection given them at the
recruiting station. The reason for
this Is, that there is not accessible
any possible means of finding out the
moral character OF the applicant, and
also, that he is of good physical
build.
But the few who do manage to
slip by, are soon found out, and every
possible means taken to show them
the excellent chances for promotion,
for men Of good character; also, the
Uselessness Of bum I'm the service.
On the other hand, the majority of
the fighting force on the sea il com
PO6Ou VI AOAOOI, VI ave- lAuuoll
and true Americans, ranging from liz
to IS years Of age.
When Jack goes to the recruiting
he Is thoroughly Xamined-physical-
ly. II he passes this, his full descrip-
ton il taken in duplicate; which con-
sists Of his weight, height, color OF
hair and eyes, scars and birthmarks,
81 rc Gvnn frntC Jnf NH M a11
is sent to the Navy Department at
Washington, and the other follows
him to the training station or ship to
which he happens to 60.
Naturally, he thinks he is now a
full fedged sailor; but On the con
trary lie is not, as he finds out much
to his dismay.
Upon his arrival at the training
station he ID given another physical
examination of almost the same
nature a. that given him at the re
cruiting office.
Now IL the time that Jacks troubles
begin. If he is lucky or unlucky
enough to pass the Doctors examina-
ton, he is told to divest himself of all
his clothes and valuables. He has
the privilege of either sending his
clothes home or leaving them for the
Salvation Army. His valuables are
given to the master at arms, who re
turns them to him at some later date. |
He H. now taken into bath room
where he is made get under hot
(accent on the I'D shower, and scrub
himself with a Xxi ky" scrubbing
brush with bristles none too sof) and
salt water soap, commonly called |
Paymaster's Bouquet, about the con-
stituency OF laundry soap.
About the time that he has adjusted
himself to this treatment, the water is |
suddenly changed from scalding to
freezing, whereupon Jack Immediately |
gives vent to a howl of pain and
jumps from under this seemingly tor
ture, to be promptly thrown back IN
der it again by the master at arms |
who generally is of no mean proper
tons, and therefore quite capable OF
handling the rockies" that being the |
name given to the recruits. After it |
is thought that he has had enough of
this, he il made wash his hair i'm an
antiseptic solution.
From here he il taken to the barber,
who proceeds to give him "regula- |
ton" hair cut, which means no hair at |
all except little on the top Of his |
head.
Now he Is turned over to the hos
pital steward there being more truth
In the steward than the hospitaD who
vaccinates him.
He Is now turned over to the chief |
petty officer who is to have charge Of
him with fifty more) during his stay |
Of four months in the training quar-
tiers. The chief now takes him to the |
Do ef1r xxyhn hn ici
fitted out with an outfit of clothes |
valued at about sixty dollars.
Naturally by this time Jack il tired
and hungry and wonders how and !
where he il to sleep and eat
He is now taken and shown where
his hammock is to be swung (sailors |
sleep in hammocks OF their own manu-
facture) and then given meal.
1t may probably be thought that this |
is a rather rough sort of treatment Of
Jack but it Is necessary to harden him |
for the real things that will happen
later on.