Lexington dispatch-news. [volume] (Lexington, S.C.) 1917-1919, 1918-10-30
Sen. BENNET TELLS
ABOUT MERCHANT
MARINE.
United States Shipping Boarn Of
fers Attractive Field. Valua-
ble Information Given by
Junior Senator.

Believing that the Merchant Marine
as now conducted by the U. 5. Snip
ping Board offers an attractive field
for many of our people, Senator Chris
tie Benet today gave out the follow
ing information concerning it:
In the first place, it must be remem
bered that the life of a sailor under
the new conditions is as a bed of
roses compared to the old system
when men were recruited regardless
OF their education or character and
/ the ''rougher and tougher" You were.
the more likely you were to be taken.
Only young men of good moral
character, who can read and write,
are now taken into service, which is
purely voluntary, between the ages Of
aS and sS Those accepted are taken
in as apprentices at salary of $30.-
90 a month, food, quarters, medical
attention and clothing being furnish
ed in addition.
Apprentices are sent to a training
ship for two months and are trained
to serve as sailors, firemen, coalpas-
, sers, cooks or mesSmen, the salaries
for these places running as high as
$4,000 per month, which is practically
elear, in view Of the fact that he is
furnished his clothes, board and me-
dical attention. Besides the very lib
eral salary paid during apprenticeship
an opportunity is offered, after two
years sea duty to enter school for
training for an officers license and
become captain or even attain the
H., nj in q
motion depending, of course, on his
own record and ability.
The service offers an excellent place
for training our young men and the
life is not demoralizing as it. former
ly was. The men are taught high
ideals, and their habits are closely
kvatched after and man cannot now
stay in the service who persists IN
drinking or otherwise violating the
rules as laid down. They are also
taught habits of economy, cleanliness
promptness and obedience to authorl-
V-
40 is also a service in which our peo
ple can do their bit to- win. the war
and there is no service that offeFsra
wider field for ones developement al
ter the war for the contest for sup
remacy in the commercial world Will
be fierce and if the United States IS
to take her place in that fight as she
should, the Merchant Marine must be
fully dveloped.
Applicants for training must be at
least 5 feet 4 inches tall and weigh
at least 125 pounds, and be able to
read and write. Applicants can en-
roll at any Rexall Drug Store in the
United Safes If there is. none in
your town, your druggist can very
likely tell you where you can find the
nearest one, or you can get full infor-
nation by writing
Enrolling Agents Department,
- United States Shipping Board,
= Custom House, Boston, Mass.
Besides the profitable employment,
for the period of the war, and perma-
nent afterwards should one so DESIRE
an opportunity is given for one to see
the world as the ships will travel Tar
and near and touch every known sea-
mort. Thus one is offered an oppor-
z tunity to make a living and at the
= same time see the wonders OF the
world and increase his knowledge.
The hours of service on ship poaro
are not long or tedious and one Will
have an ample opportunity for study
sing and reading during off hours.
Besides the salary offered each ap-
prentice is insured, by the Shipping
Board, in an amount not less than
500 or more than $4,000, depend
ing on the salary he earns, and III
Zine of war so per cent bonus IS
given for voyages, through European
war zone and his personal effects are
Insured against loss by acts Of the enc
= Iay to the amount Of 500.
Those interested should apply to
the nearest ReXan Drug Store or to
the address given, and the Senator
hopes that many Of our men VIII in
yesfigate the service. as he thinks
ss1hey would De pleased with it.
- There is special need Of fircmen in
the service at present and 1000 are
al once. The pay is So q
month, with 80 per cent added for
war zone voyages. There is q sure
prospect Of promotion to an cnyi-
position to ambitious young
men entering this branch Of the ser