The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1915-07-13
. Y an act approved March 8, 1915,
* Congress created a law which
has more farreaching effects on


.N 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
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.
,Trainet7 Men Necessary.
It is true now as ever in the history
of this country that there would be no
lack o. patriotic men to respond to
call in defense of its 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
in 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's honor.
For many years the navy has been
graduating into civil life annually from
5000 to 1000 well trained and we'll dis
ciplined 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
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 it may well be said that
there Is no mechanical art applicable !
to civil pursuits that may not be learn
ed on modern man-of-war.
A Twofold Purpose.
It 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 bill creating; q naval reserve. The
operate Of the law is twofold in it's
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 automatically op-
crates to encourage these same men to
return 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 addition, the law places sub
value upon honorable. efficient
and faithful service, for no one unless
entitled to honorable Discharge upon the
completion Of s period Of enlistment
can partake Of It's benefits.
Under the operation OF the law
man with an honorable record has the
option OF remaining In the regular serv-
Ice or Of entering the reserve at stated
intervals.
HE Only Duty.
While In the reserve he is free to en-
gage in any occupation and live where
ne chooses within the United States.
He only obligates himself to be amena-
bic to the navy regulations and re-
sDond 10 q can for active service in
time of wax. While active service in
time Of peace 10 entirely voluntary on