The gazette-times. [volume] (Heppner, Or.) 1912-1925, 1915-07-22

T.
M 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 re d these lines.
BY this is meant the clause in the
Naval Appropriation Bill creating a
naval reserve and making provision
for the qualification of its members
1t has been customary or the people
of our country to measure the strength
of the navy by the number of Dread
noughtS, destroyers, submarines and
other fighting 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.
1t is true now as ever in the history
of this country that there would be no
lack O. patriotic men to respond to a
cal in defense of lis institutions, but
without training in di ipline and With
cut previous experience with and an
intimate and accurate knowledge of
the mechanical appliances SO essential
III the operation Of the guns, the tor
pedoes and the mines as we'll 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 nor.
For many years the navy has been
graduating into civil life annually from
5000 10 1000 well trained and well dis
clplned men-men experienced in eV-
cry mechanical art made use of in the
modern man-of-War. This is no doubt
a valuable contribution that the navy
make to the economic development Of
the country. At the anne time these
men represent a great potential value
for the nations defense if properly re-
ciaimed ANA 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 it may well be said that
there is no mechanical art applicable
10 civil pursuits that may not be learn
ed on modern man-of-War.
A Twofod Purpose.
1t was for the purpose Of making
these men an asset in the nations de-
fense account that the Navy Depart
ment proposed and Congress passed
the bill creating a naval reserve. The
operation Of the law is twofold in its
benefits to the navy and the country.
BY Offering substantial inducements
for reclaiming into organizations these
valuable well trained men who have
already left the navy to engage in civil
pursuits, as well as those who will do
so in future, the law automati tically op-
crates to encourage these same mcn to
retur, to the regular service and those
who are still in the service to remain
FOR longer periods.
This is accomplished by basing the
pay Of the reserves on a sliding scale
increasing with length Of service in the
navy.
In additi n, the lew places a sub
stantial value upon honorable efficient
and faithful service for 10 one unless
entitled TO hoHordble diSchdygc upon the
completion Of period of enlistment
can partake Of its benefits.
Under the operation Of the law a
man with an honorable record has the
option Of remaining in the regular serv-
ice or Of entering the reserve at stated
intervals.
His Only Duty.
While in the reserve he is free to on
gaze In any occupation and live where
he chooses within the United States. !
He only obigates himself TO be amena- |
bic TO the navy regulations and re-
spJud to a call for active service in /
time Of war While active service In |
time of peace is entirely voluntary on