New-York tribune., 1922-11-19

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An entertainment under the big gums.
Professionals often appear on such
acOe-inspiring stages, though for the
most part the nauy boys provide their
orOn dramatic entertainment
is always something stirring to keep healthy
youths interested in life
Among the anlusenients in the navy athletics
come first, quite naturally. Then come the
movies and then home talent, or rather
ship talent drama. Commanding officers
are instructed to encourage dramatic enter
tainucnts by their personnel, but such instrue-
tion is hardly needed, for it has been proved
that good plays provide neyer-ending source
of entertainment for all on shipboard, from
the commanding officer down. When profess
sional entertainers be hired to round cut
an evenings show they are secured from that
same welfare fund.-" but when the men are
at station where no such talent be secured
they fall back on their own resources. Each
ship has its actors, musicians, scene painters
and playwrjghts. When minstrel SHOW Is
put on the "local gags would mystify land
lubber but they make hit with the sailormen
IT play is put on no detail of costunningsof
scenery is overlooked. Some surprisingly good
things have been done aboard shlp-and yet
not so surprising when it is considered that
the navy is made up of average young men
from all parts of the country. These young .
men for the most part have a fair education 4
which they have improved IL the navy. They )
are shrewdly critical when it comes to matters
of entertainment, and when they are rightly
encouraged, they show that they have con-
structive ideas of their own.
Il is not alone through entertainment, how
ever, that the morale of the navy IS mann
taned. The American Navy Is clean morally.
1t has had many battles with lax authorities
in ports in all parts of the world and 1t mas
always come off victor. When any part OF
the United States Navy is scheduled to visit
a port there is rejoicing in that favored spot
Yankee sailors are proverbially free with their
money But the navy has its emisssries look
inc the field over in advance. If their reports
are not favorable authorities are told that GER
tain conditions must be remedied. If no heed
is paid to the hints perhaps shore leave is
denied to the men. TO have shore leave denied
to perhaps 10000 sailors when merchants have
made preparation for the coming of those men
would be nothing short of q calamity. The
folks at home soon make it clear TO the author-
tiles that the navy's request for clean port
must be needed.
In the matter of education the youthful
sailor finds much in store for him along the
lines of military and technical and vocational
subjects as well as along general lines. Various
trade schools have been established, to which
men are transferred for study for special rat
ing. Opportunities are provided at naval sta
tions and aboard ship for technical and gem
eral education. Tine is allowed for study.
Courses which have been obtained from GER
respondence schools and extension divisions
Of colleges are forwarded to ships and stations.
Also educational advisers are detailed for a
Limited time on request to assist the officers.
in carrying on instruction.
The ships library is matter of pride
among officers and men. The assistance OF
the best Librarians is obtained in making
selections
No doubt the navy was net always thus
One does not read Of welfare organization
work when Old Ironsides was iinging her
flag to the breeze But the navy was not conn
PEELED to meet the lure of q highly degeloped
industrial life at that time. There was no
question Of holding men for the reason that
good jobs were scarce on land Competition
for the rfgl1t kind Of young men has become
keener all down the line, and the navy mast
meet this competition. One of the reasons
Why it is not only getting young men, but il
holding thens in the face of all the allurements
Of big wages and varied amusements on shore
IS the development of welfare work as
outlined.