The Washington times., 1915-12-11
Thrilling Tales Related
In Coast Guard Report
RepIete With Stories of Shipwreck, Rescues at Sea-
and Other Adventures-Steps to Protect
Birds Urged

years old, the cast OF ships has so far
advanced that 1t will be necessary to
provide an appropriation of $125, 600. in
stead of the original estimate of Sl1O,-
0OO Plans have already been prepared
for this much needed craft. and II is
hoped that the necessary appropriation
Will be forthcoming as early as prac-
ticable during the approaching session
of Congress.
"A new harbor cutter to replace the
Hartley at San Francisco is urgently
needed. That vessel was built i'm 1873,
and has been in service for forty years.
cry antiquated and in very bad con-
dition, requiring frequent repairs. The
boat is not worth rebuilding.
$235,0OO For Guard Stations.
'In April. 1914. without accident of
any kind, she began to fill at her dock
and was quickly taken into shoal water
nearby. where she sank The cutter
was raised and repaired as we'll as the
general bad condition of her hull would
permit, but had this incident occurred
while she was underway the lives of
her crew and the customs inspectors,
who are obliged TO use the vessel, would
have been seriously JeopardiZed. II is
earnestly recommended that an appro-
priation of $4,000 be provided to build
or purchase a suitable cutter to replace
the Hartley.
Renewal OF the request for a cruis-
ing cutter. to cost $3.50. 900. for duty in
the waters adjacent to the Panama
of RS5,OO0 Is asked for with which TO
rebuild twenty-five coast guard stations.
Extension of the active season during
which the stations should be kept open
is recommended because OF the fire.
duencY of storms while they are closed.
In commenting on this recommenda-
ton the report saws:
Reference to another important con-
49,. ~. -
be omitted. The men at the stations.
who are enlisted for a term of one
year. are subjected to a compulsory
leave of absence without pay during
the two months the stations are closed.
namely, June and July. They are
therefore thrown out OF regular en-
ployment. Such employment as they
are usually able to find in these months
like boating. fishing. etc. is at its very
height at the time they are recalled to
duty. so that II is not possible for them
to engage In any business except of the
most temporary and shifting character
odd jobs which yield them meaRer re-
turns. They find. as a rule. even among
the most frugal. that whatever saw
ings they may have accumulated durine
ten months of their enlistment yeaI
age used up during this period Of en-
forced absence from duty.
UnbrOken Employment Urged.
"To say the least. it is a matter Of
grave doubt whether any well-ordered
business establishment. aside from con
| siderations affecting the personal vel,
fare of its employees. could afford tC
pursue a like policy.
at Is believed that the physical and
mental character of the enlisted per
sonnel as well as the discipline of the
service could be maintained at higher
standard If the men could be assured OF
unbroken employment throughout the
year for which they enlist. and that the
| efficiency and usefulness of the coast
guard would be correspondinEly pro-
| NOTED thereby"