The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1916-04-14

small pay had risked everything for
| the saving OF the property and the
lives OF others and yet when they were
| old and unfit for service they were
turned out without pensions and with
out any provision whatsoever for their
declining years.
Pay After Retirement.
All this has been changed nov and
the lifesaving service has been made
part OF the revenue cutter service
and the two together are called the
coast guard. The men who dare all
TO help others can retire after a GER
tain length OF service and then they
receive retired pay. For years at
tempts were made 10 induce congress
to render assistance TO the service
which always was ready TO give its
help TO others. but every attempt 10 do
anything for the men who fronted
wave and storm at the call OF duty
failed until a short time ago. when
congress finally consented 10 act.
II an aero coast guard service Is
sanctioned by congress 1t will mean
added dangers for the members of the
coast guard. When vessel reports
by wireless that IL is in distress some.
where off the coast IL is the instant
duty OF a revenue cutter 10 put out
to the rescue. II frequently happens
that the cutter men cannot quickly To-
cate the distressed ship because wave
and wind and tide have changed its
position. I Is believed that by the
use of aeroplanes OF the sea plane type
vessels in distress more quickly can
be located and help more quickly rem
dered
Ii is believed also to be part OF the
plan to equip some of the life-saving
stations on the coast with aeroplanes.
The thought is that an aeroplane put
ting seaward can pass a line over
stranded ship more accurately and
quickly than it can be done by means
of the mortars on shore which are
now used to throw a projectile with
a line attached to ships on the rocks
or fast in the sand.
The coast guard rs It is constituted
lied service. OF course the revenue
cutter and the life.saving services as
distinct bodies have existed for years,
but now they have been welded.
State, War and Navy Club.
Officials and employees Of the state,
war and navy departments have or
ganized a social club which will have
membership reaching into the thou
sands The department of the interior
set club example two years ago, and
it seems likely that it will be followed
by all the other departments Of govern
ment. The Home club OF Mr.. Lanes
department has been huge success.
1t is said that Washington, in pro-
portion to its population, has more
social clubs than any other city In
the Union, but the organizations for
instruction and to promote sociabil-
ity among the officials and clerks, are
departure in club life. Through all
the years of Washington's existence
as the nations capital nothing OF the
kind ever has been tried before. and
this is regarded as an amazing fact
by those who now see the possibili-
ties in the case.
The organization which the state,
war and navy departments have set
out to form has not yet been named.
That ii will take a definite name. fol-
lowing the example OF the interior de-
partment's organization. which is
called the Home club. there Is no
doubt The state, war and navy work
ers are determined to put theiy club
on firm basis from the start and to
make IL a club after the manner OF
university clubs and other organiza-
tions which all the big cities contain.
Will Erect Building.
A corporation has been formed. and
the employees of the three depart
ments have purchased stock at a mod
est figure. The money will be used
to erect and equip a building to be-
used as the home OF the club, one
where the employees can gather for
purposes of entertainment and in
struction The Home club Of the in
terror department has leased a fine
residence on Lafayette square which
formerly was the Persian legation.
but II is the intention of tn. newly
formed society to own its own buil.l-
ing.
Cabinet officers are much interested
in the forming of these social organi-
cations in the departments of which
they are the chiefs. II is said that
the government already has benefit
ted. from the fact that the workers
in the interior department. through
the club life, have become better ac-
quainted with one another. and there
fore have exchanged views OF work
ing conditions and concerning means
to improve the servic,
II has been possible for department
employees to join other clubs in the
city OF Washington. some Of which
have small initiation fees. small dues.
and yet give good returns for the
money spent In these clubs. how
ever, membership consists OF men and