Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1917-05-05

"The power of the navy is i'll me-
Big Jack Dempsey, fireman recruit
thus unburdened himself as he sat with
legs dangling on the turret of the Vir-i
giria.
Around him seethed the preparation
for war. From the huge navy yard /
shops arose the din and clamor of a
mighty force rushing the final work
to place in readiness the big steel fight
ing machines which are to play an inn
portant part IN upholding the honor Of
on" nation On the parade ground adja-
ccut, couple Of hundred bluejatkets
were running quarter mile oval, hard
cnng up for their work ahead.
Something Of the inspiration of this
vitality energetic scene glstened in his
eyes, as he swept his pipe stem in a
snort semi-circlc before him to empha
size the might of which he was master.
Huge of frame, horny of hand is
Dempsey. 1t was only two days ago
that he driftcd into the navy recruiting
office to offer himself to his country.
Whether It's sailorin or soldierin' |
told him at the recruiting office, it s
the same to me so long as | can serve
me country. Anyways that man can
serve and do his duty in tonne loike
this is the best way was the gravely
enunciatcd philosophy,
$50 / enlist as a fireman. the great
est branch of the service of the L. ;.
navy.
"Whin 4 man has put in few years
on the job, there is somethin about
the firebox of engin that pulls you to
it, vance you have fed the big, hungry
mouths that are always open and roar
ia
And after a little hustle ov feed
in the BIG babies the job is done and
sc can take yer ease while the byes
above are drilling and the ship is roll
in easy?lillc in the cradle ov the sea.
Every man in his task, says I, and
'n fireman by inclination and force
of habit. And it is me duty to play fire
man for Uncle sam whin he needs me
above all others.
Wanee / stocked on tramp steamer,
and it was there / learned the power oV
me calm
-ssWe wuz down where the heathens
and the fever wuz thick as mud, an
wan the sickness took hold ov the of
ficers and crew until they wuz only a
handful ov us life to navigate the craft.
What with the fever raging we had a
powerful time. Wan afther anithcr the
byes below fell down with sickness, and
ii Wus thin the real trouble began.
cit wuz the captain himself who
came down to talk to us, Byes,' he
said I kin get along without me of
q e., pf
Shin Will perish if me firemen deset me
ia this me hour ov need
That is why I say the power ov
the navy is in me. Whin the coal stops,
tho hattleships stop, and the inimy can
take yer at his own time. y
Across the slip between the Virginia
and the next dock. the sailor drill had
sDread ont into an open order exercise
They were the Hmcn behind the guns,
m integral part of the great fighting
mechanism which is soon to spread It's
Influence worldwide in the mighty CON
41jct facing this nation. | looked SIDE
yays at the man beside me, who repre-
scented the silent working force OF the
American battleships, but his gaze was
lifted above the immediate animation
nf moving units. It rested in the smoke
clouds coming from the huge stack OF
IN adjoining vessel.
sThe byes hcv started work fe,'
Uncle sam. he observed, with touch
Of pride. Ana I knew that down ~
tho cavernous recesses Of that gray steeeI
hull. other representatives of the
npower az the. navy were bendn1a
their backs to the end that the tradl
tions Of the American navy might pc
nnhcld ana the honor Of the flag nam
tained upon the seas
The navy needs more firemen as wei