The Dolores star., 1919-01-31

cation through which Uncle
Sam follows the individual fortunes of
the sailors who are manning the coun-
try'S new merchant marine.
Jack. the merchant mariner, is Off
cially weighed, measured. pictured and
thumb-marked before he goes aboard
ship, and then is officially tagged as
well. his picture and thumb mark, and
the facts pertaining to him and no one
else being affixed to small four-page
folder. printed on stout paper.
This paper is vital document for
the American merchantmen. Without
it he cannot ship for voyage. Should
he lose it he loses his right to go
ashore in foreign port. Officially he
ceases to exist when he parts with it.
This all-important paper. in short. is
passport. Officially. it is known as
"ctizen seaman's identification
card" Among sailors it is termed
'orm X, for short. the paper being so
marked in the upper left corner.
Takes Place of Passport.
Form X, for identifying sailors. took
the place of the old time passport in
tHN N'ui sc VI iilt W IL. lht VI
the armistce has made no difference
in its use. Even though actual peace
is here Jack cannot roam at will in
the ports of the Seven Seas. He is of
too much value TO his country to be
lost sight of in the biggest economic
job 1t has In hand for the coming pip
ing times. of peace and trade expan-
sion-that of keeping the great mer-
chant fleet properly manned.
In sailing ship days. half Il century
ago. when Jack went to sen he knew
nothing Of thumb prints and photo
graphs. He merely signed on for the
voyage, fitted out in watersde slop
shop. hove his stuff into sea chest.
shouldered it. and got aboard ship as
best he could. With his sailor dress
HIS credentials, he made himself at
home In every port In every land,
whether n cannibal island of the South
Seas, the spice ports of Sumatra. or
the busy harbors of England
But Jack is no longer an irrespOn-
sible rover. The American boys who
are now entering the merchant marine
through the open door of the shipping
boards recruiting and training service.
are prepared to he examined, thumped,
pounded. measured, photographed and
thumb-printed. It makes the job more
worth while wheh finally they get it.
Form X Not Easy to Get.
To anyone who has witnessed the
examination of candidates for service
In the merchant marine at one of the
shipping boards training stations
where all "green hands" admitted to
the merchant serfice are taken on
It is apparent that Uncle Sam is par
ticular about the quality of his future
merchant seamen.
After going through rigid physical
examination the young candidate for
7eafaring life Is asked some leading
questions hv an nstute clerk. Here
Is an example:
'Wlnt is your family name?"
Clones"
''Give yonr other names in fullT'
Joseph Albert" The examiner looks
mp.
"Joseph Albert? The record gives
your name as Joseph AIoysius Which I
Is right?"
"I've always been called Albert"
says the young man. "but I was bnp-
tized Aloysius."
"Now let me see your birth certifi-
cate. How old are yOu?"
"I'm twenty" says the future sea-
fnrer, producing n birth record after |
rummaging through his pockets.
If the certificate agrees with the |
boys statement. all goes we'll. But |
very often II doesn't agree. either In |
name or agu. and the tangle has to be
etrnlghtened oul- There can be no