Ellsworth American., 1917-03-28

link IN the prepatations tor VoAst ucieuse
system now being perfected by the
government.
Arrangements have already been per-
tscted for the establishment OF motor
host patrol bases at Rockiand and Bar
Harbor. There will be something ike
seventy OF these submarine chasers and
scouts along the Maine coast.
Last Friday Lieut.. James o. Porter,
US. ~, detailed to the organization ot
the naval coast defense reserve composed
of patrol boat units, came to Ellsworth TO
look over the plant OF the Ellsworth
Foundry & Machine Works, with the view
OF reporting to the department its avail
ability and desirsbiiity as repair or
dock yard for these motor boats.
Lieut.. Porter was very favorsely inn
pressed with the plant for that purpose;
in fact, he said II was just such plant as
be had in mind. at is q tineiy-arranged
and well systcmatizcd plant" he said,
"snd most available on account OF its
proximity to the bases at Bar Hsrbor and
Rocklsnd. II is complete little plant OF
jusi the kind wanted foundry, machine
shop aud railways, with sufficient water
TO accommodate any boa. likely to be sent
here. The speedy patrol boats being built
for the government draw only two and
one half feet OF water"
Lieut.. Porter added that be was not ex-
pected to report on the matter from a
technical viewpoint, but that he consid-
cred this would be q very valuable
plant for the government In the coast de-
Tense system, as q naval dock-yard on q
small scale, aud would 80 state in his
recommendation to the government. The
matter ofpurehsse, IL decided upon, would
be left to the proper department to deal
with the owners OF the plant.
In case the plant Is taken over by the
government, the men now employed there
would be given opportunity to enroll in
the reserve force, and given the pay to
which their class would entitie them.
While Lieut.. Porter is not acting as an
enrolling officer, in connection with his
able missionary work in this direction.
While here be saw and talked with sew
ersl men who may enroll in the reserve.
The government Is particularly anxious
TO enroll seafaring men familiar with
the coast, for services in the motor patrol.
The nearest enrolling station to Ellsworth
is at Bar Harbor. II Is probable that
Lieut.. Portsr's visit here will result in
the enrolment in the naval reserve OF
several Ellsworth men. The publicity
branch OF hts work, he admitted, was not
we'll organized. and comparatively few in
Ellsworth knew OF his intended visit
here, and OF his desire to see and talk
with men who might enroll.
There are four principal classes for
enlistment. The frst comprises men W no
have seen service in the navy and who
have received an honorable discharge.
The second and third comprise the men
who are serving on merchant ships, many
OF which will be taken over by the govern
men, to act as transports. etc, and the
fourth will take in any civilian who is
physically 1T, without regard to any
previous training or service.
There is no particular age limit in the
fourth class, as 1t is proposed to utilize
youths, such as the Boy Scouts, for signal
service, ETC., and the old men who have
any special knowledge OF any branch OF
the work will be utilized for that depart
Tor which they are best lifted. Many old
men may be capable pilots, for example.
The new law passed by Congress makes
enlistment in this branch OF the service
attractive and desirable in many ways.
The term of enlistment is for four years,
and the men are required to receive three
months training in that time in order to
qualify fully. The training may be taken
at once, for the full three months, or AT
oiherent times, but never in less period
than three weeks at one time. This Will
enable those who cannot leave their
business or homes Tor a continuous SER
vice OF three months, to accommodate the
training to their particular circumstances.
The government pays the men at first
nominal retaining fee OF sl2 year.
Alter the men have taken the three
months training, they are eligible to re-
eelVe the full pay pertaining to the ser
wee. Whether or not in actual service,
the enlisted men W i'll receive two months
pay per year. They may not be called
upon to perform any service whatever.
furthermore, the men may resign at any
time they find it inadvisab BILE to continue
in the service, except in time OF war. and
'he law provides that the resignation
must be accepted. In time OF actual war,
no designations will be considered,
course. The men are given an allowance
Tor clothing in time OF peace, which is
largely added to in time OF war.
while at Rockland last week, Lieut..
Forter addressed a meeting which, in
tended as an informal meeting, developed
INTO patriotic mass meeting. He was
quoted by the press as saying at the time
'hat even now German submarines were