South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1915-05-03
GIVING SAILORS
CHANCE To RISE
IN THE j. 6. NAVY
SeC'y Daniels Takes Part of
Enlisted Men So They Can
Enter Academy or Secure
Better Positions.

WASHINGTON, May S.-Secy Of
the Navy Daniels bids fair to go down
in the history Of the United States
navy as the friend of the enlisted
man"
He has achieved this distinction
through his efforts TO better the cOna
ditiOn of the bluejackets. Whenever
he has seen an opportunity TO throw
something their way, MIR. Daniels has
done so.
One Of the most notable examples
Of this was the enactment of a law
allowing appointments to the naval
academy OF men from the ranks
Mr. Daniels latest achievement
along these lines was through a pro-
vision embodied in the naval appro-
priatiOn bill which recently passed
congress authorizing the permanent
appointment of pay clerks in the navy.
This provision also prescribes meth
DDS of promotion and rates OF pay
corresponding to that of warrant Of
fcers.
About IS months ago Sec'y Daniels
decided that he would appoint only
enlisted men of the navy 10 the pay
corps. Under this order ) enlisted
men have already qualified for COM
missions.
1t is known that since the last ex-
animation a number of enlisted men
have been preparing for the exdmina-
ton which will be held next summer
I'm this they Will be allowed TO part'ci-
pate.
As only enlisted men of the navy
may become paymaster's clerks and
as paymaster's clerks are eligible for
commissions as assistant paymasters,
Sec'y Daniels has decided that after
the next examination he Will further
restrict candidates for commissions in
the pay corps 10 pay clerks and chlet
pay clerks.
The navy now employs 30 paymas-
ter's clerks. Under the law which has
lust been superseded their appoint
ment was only temporary. They were
nominated by the paymaSter with
whom they were 10 serve, and II the
paymaster were detached from duty
recurring the services of a paymaster 3
clerk. their appointment was auto
matically revoked
Under these conditions, no pay
clerk was sure Of steady employment
no matter how long he had served or
how efficient he was. Even when as
sured OF employment. II was more
than likely that he would be kept at
sea without shore relief for many
years.
Under the new law. it is provided
that the title or paNlnaSleI tlCl n
shall be changed TO pay clerk and that
hereafter all pay clerks shall be ap-
pointed from enlisted men of the navy
holding acting or permanent appoint
ments as chief petty officers.
It is required of these enlisted men
that they shall have served at least
three years as enlisted men, two or
which must be spent on board cruls-
ing vessel OF the navy.
Ii Is further provided that all pay
clerks after six years service as SUCH
shall be commissioned as chief pay
clerks and on promotion have the
rank. pay and allowance OF chier
boatswain. The limitation as 10 age
relating 10 the appointment OF assist
ant paymasters shall not apply 20 chief
paw clerks and pay clerks appointed
under this act.
Those appointed under the provi-
sions OF this act must be between the
ages of Il and So years at the time
for the appointment as assistant pay
masters Under the last foregoing
provision paymaster's clerk Is eng
DIE for a commission as assistant pay
master provided ne possesses the nee
essary qualifications until he Is 50
years old.
The age limit FOR all other candi-
iates for a commission a. assistant
paymaster Is % years.