Grainger County news. (Rutledge, Tenn.) 1917-current, 1920-01-08
WHAT'S WRONG WITH UNCLE
SANS NAVY?

Hurry up, Sis" called Jack to
his sister who was up stairs work
ing on what she called her secret
Christmas gifts. "Uncle Ted is
coming and you know he sair he
would tell us all about his trip
to New York"
There was q real boys reason
for Jacks eagerness to hear about
his uncle's trip to New York.
True, his uncle had made many
trips to New York, but on this
particular one he was lucky to
carry a ticket to the Army and
Navy foot ball game. Like all the
boys, Jack was a great football
fan and he had followed every
move of the two teams before the
great battle. He had waited what
seemed to him like years for his
uncle's return and for the story
of the game from one who was
right there.
well, Jack" said his uncle. Il
know what you want to hear so
here goes without any waits"
Jack sat with popping eyes, all
attention as he drank in every
word from his big uncle who re-
peated move for move of the two
teams as they battled over the
field at the big Polo Grounds at
New York City. AS they neared
the end of the game Uncle Ted
said: $50, Jack, you see it was a
great game, a wonderful game al
though | wanted to see the army
win, having been in the army my
self but those navy boys from
Annapolis put up a great fight. 1t
was the first time they had won
from-the West Pointers since 1912
officers of our nvay brings up an
other countries. 1t is about the con
ditions of our navy today.
"Ie there anything wrong with
our navy?" askede Jack.
Eyes, Jack, there's is. On my
way back from New York | stcpp
ed in Philadelphia where one Of
our largest navy yards is located.
More than fifty VESSELS of the
great Atlantic fleet ire tied up
to the docks there. Thev can't be
moved, all because there are not
enough men in the navy to run
them. You can see that such a con
dition is worse at this time than
it might be otherwise because of
the threatened trouble with Mex
leo. If we should declare war on
Mexico tomorrow it would be a
long time before these ships
could be moved. Now you will ask
as does everyone. Why is the ma
Wy so short of menu That is a
question that can be answered by
%Josephus Daniels, Secretary of
the Navy. 1t hasn't been answer
ed yet. Why children, since No
vember II, 1918, when the armis.
tice with Germany was signed, sc
many men have been discharged
and so many others have deserted
that today there are only two
fifths the necessary number OF
men to run the navy in peace
times. not to speak of war times
What do you mean by men who
have deserted?" asked Jack.
when a mel deserts it mean.
that he runs away from the ser
, vice. If he is caught, he Is pun
, ished and must serve the rest D,
:. his enlistment and in many case
|, some additional time. Every enlis
ed mai in the navy knows that i
: is a dangerous thing to deser
: and no man ever deserts unless b
/ is sure to get out and cannot b
discharged honorably. He know
he is taking a dangerous chance
He is not only deserving his shi
or post or wherever he is locate
+ but he is also dserting his countr
Il Il tell you all this to show 20
that as a rule conditions must b
mighty bad or something awft
wrong before men will deser
..But despite all of this, more tina
1900 men, or two percent of Ii