Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-03-03
UNITED STATES LIGHTHOUSE SERVICE. i
j.

WASHINGTON. ID. c.. March q
several bills now pending before Con-
Sress deal wholly or In part with the
needs and troubles OF the lighthouse
Keeper Tho popular picture OF q
lighthouse keeper Is usually that Of Il
lonely old man on sea-beatcn rock
Watching the smooth flight of the
gulls. and fighting to keep his mental
cqulilbrium> In the face OF storm and
soiitude AS matter of fact. the
troubles Of the lighthouse keeper be-
long to another class entirely. lie Is
usually married man with large
family--one keeper off the coast OF
Maine has seventeen children-and
what Is worrying him is how to fight
the high cost of living on an average
salary OF 5000 per nnnum and n daily
ration allowance Of 80 cents and how
to send his children to school when
his lighthouse is out on some lonely
shoal.
The pay Of the men in the light
Reuse service was fixed by bencficent
Congress in 1867, long before the onion
became luxury dedicated to the idle
rich and the grocer took to Keeping
the eggs I'm the safe. Since 1867 as
the ultimate consumer has had oc-
casion TO notice. the prices OF food and
clothing have climbed more or less
steadily The lighthouse Keepers pay
has failed to climb with them. until
now he Is beginning to see Il gap
where both ends should meet
one bill now pending raises the
average pay from 5000 to s700 nm in
crease that would be greatly apprcci-
ated: but owing to the press OF inn
portant legislation. there is little or
no chance that this bill can be brought
up ut The present session of Congress-
Unfortunately. prices will not post
pone their rise until important lcgis-
lation has been attended to. and the
voice OF the lighthouse keeper Is he
ginning to he heard in the land. ask
ing for advice on how to raise n fam
lily on $500 per annum. Suggestion
Will be appreciated.
Some relief will probably come
through the passing Of the sundry civil
bin. which contains blanket pro-
vision raising the pay OF all govern
mcnt employees earning the smaller
salaries. The exact amount OF the In
crease has not yet been agreed upon,
but some action on this bin will prob
ably be taken
Salaries Need Rcndiustmcnt.
The lighthouse bureau feels. how
ever. that the salary scale should he
ovcrhauled to keep up with the times:
and in view or the very responsible
character OF tho work done BY tho
men OF the service. and the frequency
with. which II takes them into danger
the point seems justified.
The lighthouse Is more OF haven
or refuge than II is usually given
credit for being. Besides serving its
purpose as a beacon. it is n center OF
Succor for any cases OF distress that
the sea may cast at its door. The
keeper often has to do rescue work
aud feed and clothc tho rescued after
wards. 1t is only within the last few
years that the government has been
paying him back for money expcndc,
in this way. Until comparativelv
recent time. IL the keeper took in and
fed the whole crew Of a stranded vcs-
sci. he had to pay the bin himself
unless his guests were able and willing
to pay IL. Now the government re-
funds the expenses thus incurred, az
is obviously the ncrcst Justice: and
IN view OF the action taken on this
line there Is hope that the need for
better pay viii be met as soon as the
calendar OF Congress permits
Another need OF the service is ade
quatc provision for retirement of old
employees At present there IS no
such provision. and man who has
served thirty years and failed to save
any money. ms he may we'll do through
no iauit OF his own, is in a very diff
hcnlt position. Another bin pending
provides Tor graduated retirement
pension. based Oh the terms Of service
not TO exceed an annual amount OF
thrce-fourths the last annual salary
With the passage Of this bin and tho
needs OF the men III the service In the
way or compensation viii be met
All Are American Citizens
Tho lighthouse service numbers 800
Keepers and assistants. and 1000 Of
hccrs and mon on tho liEht-vesscls.
Which act as bea:ons 1T points where
1t Is impossible 10 build lighthouses
All OF these men are American citizens
as citizenship Is an essential qualiiica-
ton for position In the service: most
of them. In addition. arc native born
americans. large proportion are
SeafarinE men of one sort or another.
their duties call for cousiderahla
knowledge of handling small boats
even I'm the case OF keepers OF land