East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1921-07-12
Hundreds Of Navy Men are Cor
respondenCe School Students
Aim for Best in Ship Life.
by CHARLES =. HUGHES

BY CHARLES u. HUGHES
international News Service Staff
Correspondent
us. S. NEW MEXICO, FLAGSHIP
PACIFIC FLEET, LOS ANGELES
HARBoR, Cal, July 12.-lt was
learned IN the World War that care
full education and up-to-date training
were two OF the biggest assets in main
tanning the morale Of the men in the
Eavies of the allied powers.
The correspondent found during his
stay aboard the New Mexico that the
American Navy has indeed become q
great national university in 50 far as II
is u factor in not only training men.
but teaching them the value of right
living.
At the conclusion of Sunday morn
ing service, attended by several hun
dred of the New Mexico's crow. and
most of its officers not on duty Chap
lain r. w. Scott, the flagship's relig-
ious officer, made statement to the
correspondent in which he emphasized
the aims of the welfare section of the
navy.
I'VE want to send the men Of the
navy back to their homes In such form
that they can become substantial influ-
ential citizens said the Rev. Mr.
Scott. so one OF the most important
! features of the welfare work aboard
our ships and at our naval stations
ashore Is to teach the newscoWer he
must accept definite responsibilities.
Morally the men Of the Pacific fleet
measure up to the standard of any
similar body Of the American men
They come from sections OF the
country, from all conditions OF society
But once they get into uniform and get
tho spirit of things they gradually
mould themselves into different sorts
Of men from wheat they were.
The navy and the army are not re-
| formatories In any sense. They do not
| want men who will not obey. But q
great deal can be done by naval off
GERS In helping men to overcome bad
habits, TO recognize the need Of disci-
pline, OF punctuality and of honesty In
their every day lives.
Many Pursue Technical Studies
1T is delight to me to be able to
help backward men, TO correct faults
which can he overcome by little
! moral persuasive power. Many let
ters are written. each year by. anxious
mothers. sisters, brothers, fathers
sweethearts and other relatives Of men
in the navy to the captains of the
! various ships and turned over to the
thaplains
Sometimes the complaint will CON
cern. irregular. Temittances Of money
to the folks at home, or negligence IN
answering letters, or little infractions
Of discipline which have come to the
notice of someone who has the well
fare of tho one mentioned at heart.
when / have to perform such little
missions aboard the New Mexico
usually find that word or two suf.
fees. The offenders take their Ice
lures In good-natured way. and in
most cases do not have to be SO ad-
dressed again.
References were made recently in
a Los Angeles Mayoralty campaign to
alleged vice. in various parts OF tho
city. So Fur as know Los Angeles Is
one Of the cleanest big cities in the
Far West. In connection with the
same references allegations were made
that the men of the Pacific fleet we're
frequenters of vice dens OF course. no
check is made of what our men do
when they SO ashore, but J am sure
such charges are not true OF the men
Of the Pacific fleet as class.
Il have found that most of the
American naval men are anxious to
obtain as much educational training az
possible. Some Of the New Mexlco's
crew are students, in correspondence
courses and send their papers regular
~ to tho headquarters OF these various
schools. Others are coached by off,