New Britain herald., 1919-09-26

presented by the communications that we did print and we wish, with the readers permission, to have our say and consider the incident at an end. for the time, at least.
 It seems to us that the sailors of the civil service have taken violent exception to remarks that may have been passed by irresponsible persons and which tend to beittle their work in aiding this country. We do not believe that the average citizen is liable to underrate their service. As far as the War Board, and it's atti- tude to the Merchant Mariner, is concerned, we do not believe that Mir. attitude to the boys of the sea. Strict ly speaking they were not memb bers of military forces and he could not regard them as such. They were government, to sail the ships which were used as cargo carriers. The value of their work was such that they were excused from service in branches of the fighting forces. There is no doubt but that many served here who were not eligible for military service through some slight disability and who are to be congratulated upon Others, who were we'll fitted for this life also gave of their best, which everyone realizes.
 l is perfectly obvious that the services in a highly dangerous pro- fession and were as open to attacks of the enemy as were the sailors on the battleships. They had no guns, excepting those on naval ships were conveying them, to protect them and tempted fate through the ordinary hazards of the sea. That is recog- nized and was recognized during the war. It was rightfully called a ''glor ious service" by President Wilson, it has been regarded as such by all. The mere fact that mem bers were exempt from the draft is proof of the re- gard of the work.
 The fact that military regulations prohibit the recognition of this serv- ice when the Army and the Navy are considered can not be helped by the people or by MT. Kisselbrack, whether they wish to or not. However, the merchant sailor has the satisfaction service was. for himself. and has the mental ease which should come from the successful consummation of a good job" After all, outsiders disre- is the greatest reward for service and we do not believe that there is sailor in the city whose conscience is upbraiding him as 8 stacker or draft dodger. ..s
 Men of the Navy have been termed draft dodgers by some people, owing to the fact that there were large numbers who were confined to barracks ashore, during the war. However. these men had no guarantee that they would be kept ashore and many were as anxious to serve as the soldier. A comparatively few of our sailors got into action but they were all available for service. The losses, per capita, in the British and in, 1yi1 To than the losses on. shore, among the the troops, by an appreciable per- centage. The sailor faced death or escape, he was not as liable to be Mariner, who sailed the danger zone was in as great danger as his brother on the battleship and we are certain, though we have seen no figures, that Marine were as great as in the Navy, which means more than most people recognize. As far as danger is con- cerned the Merchant Marine man has nothing to reproach himself about
 The people of New Britain are not repro2 ching him, there is no doubt of that. Why should they? There is certain jealousy between the armed forces of which the Merchant Marin CTS is getting the backwash. That jealousy has always existed and al- ways will, it is a healthy condition of competition. It exists between di- visions of the Army. There are few merchant sailors here, but there is nothing for them to worry about.