The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1915-07-15

congress created law which
has more farreaching effects on
the efficiency of the navy than
any legislation enacted within the
memory Of any one who may chance
to red these lines.
BY this IL meant the clause in the
Naval Appropriation Bill creating a
naval reserve and making provision
for the qualification of it's members.
It has been customary tor the people
Of cur country to measure the strength
of the navy by the number of Dread
ncughts, destroyers, submarines and
other lighting craft. They either take
for granted that the most necessary
part Of the navy-a traineu personnel
already exists or that it will be forth
coming from somewhere when the
alarm Of war is sounded.
Trained Men Necessary.
IL is true now as ever In the history
Of this country that there would be no
lack Of patriotic men to respond to a
call In defense of its institutions, but
without training in discipline and with
cut previous experience with and an
intimate and accurate knowledge Of
the mechanical appliances so essential
in the operation OF the guns, the tor
pedoes and the mines, as well as the
motive machinery of the modern war
ship, they would simply be offering
themselves as a sacrifice upon the al
tar OF the country's honor
For many years the navy has been
graduating into civil Life annually from
1900 to 1000 well trained and well dis
ciplined men-men experienced In ev-
cry mechanical art made use of In the
modern man-of-war. This is no doubt
q valuable contribution that the navy
makes to the economic development of
the country. At the same time these
men represent great potential value
for the nations defense If properly re-
claimed and organized. They are scat
tered throughout the length and breadth
OF the land. Many Of them are follow.
ing the same trades they learned In
the navy, and Il may well be said that
there Ia no mechanical art applicable
to civil pursuits that may not be learn
ed on a modern rnan-of-war.
A TwefoId Purpose.
II was for the purpose Of making
these men an asset in the nations de
tense account that the Navy Depart
ment proposed and Congress passed
the bin creating q naval reserve. Tn,
operation Of the law Is twofold in it.
benefits to the navy and the country
By offering substantial inducementl
for reclaiming into organizations thes,
valuable well trained men who hav,
already left the navy to engage In civi
pursuits, as well as those who win d
30 in future, the law automatically or
crates to encourage these same men t
return to the regular service and thos
who are still In the service to renal
for longer periods.
This Is accomplished by basing tn
pay Of the reserves on sliding seal
increasing with length Of service in th
navy.
In addition. the law places sui
stantaal value upon honorable. eficier
and faithful service, for no one unleS
entitled TO AosoysbIs dsschsrge upon II
completion Of q period of enlistmel
can partake Of its benefits.
Under the operation Of the law
man with an honorable record has Il
option Of remaining in the regular ser
ice or Of entering the reserve at state
intervals.
His Only Duty.
while In the reserve he is free to e
gage in any occupation and live whe
he chooses within the United State
He only obligates himself to be amen
bic to the navy regulations and
spond to q call for active service
time Of war. While active service
time Of peace Is entirely voluntary
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