Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-06-14

OF going to war by dlScouraglng Del
ligerent powers from committing such
violations Of the rights Of the neutral
party as may, first or last. leave no
Navy is at all times a silent, yet pow
erful, guardian of our foreign trade
routes. In case of war, it is the Navy
alone which can maintain the flow OF
cur vital seaborne imports and eX-
ports, without which our industrial
system would be seriously crippled, If
net destroyed.
Basic Consideration.
Trade protection forms the basic
| commercial consideration for a navy.
With Americas foreign trade apprcxi-
mating 10 billions of dollars annually,
which represents the livelihood OF
2,400, 900 American families, the United
States Navy, in protecting this trade.
is rendering service to all sections OF
our country: to the wheat grower Of
the Middle West, to the steel centers,
! to the automobile manufacturer, to the
cotton and fruit growers of the South
and West
In peace time it is true that the
| Nays service to cur overseas COM
merce is potential. yet in many in
stances the mere presence of our naval
ships in disturbed areas has caused a
cessation Of hostilities, and has kept
| foreign seaports open which otherwise
would have been closed. 1t is hardly
necessary to demonstrate that the
showing of the flag by our naval YES
sells and the development Of friendly
relations with foreign countries by
them is, perhaps, essential and surely
of great benefit to our commerce.
Ono 0f tha ir11nOrfanf pnnfrfh1ifi0nS 0f
our Navy to the commercial activities
of the country has been in connection
with the shipbuilding industry. The
Navy, as far back as 1882, gave impetus
! to the then infant steel industry by its
need of high-grade steel for the con-
struction of its first steel vessels. Up
to that time high-grade steel in large
quantities was available only in Eng
land. Since that time the Navy has
steadily caused the employment of
thousands of men and has been great
aid to the steel and shipbuilding in
dustries.
Naval architects. trained bv the Navy,
were sought after by shipbuilding COM
panieS and today former officers of the
Construction Corps of the Navy are
represented in almost all of our coun-
try's shpbuilding concerns.
AS0uS OhAp OCSABhs
The Navy has taken a leading role
in developing the art and practice Of
ship design and construction. Much
Of this success is attributable to the
model basin of the Navy Yard in Wash
ington., Here ship models are towed
through the water and their water
resistance carefully calculated: good
ship forms are developed and suitable
propulsion machinery designed. This
model besin is always available to COM
mercial shipbuilderS, and hundreds of
models other than naval ships have
been and are being tested here.
For the hundreds of materials re-
quired from as many manufacturers
throughout the country the Navy has
set up definite specifications which al
low manufacturers advance notifica-
ton of the materials required The
rigid requirements and inspections and
the standard specifications and CLASH
flcations have not only simplified COM
mercial products and reduced their cost,
but have brought many improvements
in quality and design.
The Navy has contributed largely in
the past and is continuing at present
to our country'S knowledge and growth
in the commercial fields of steel. radio,
aviation. steam and electric engineer
ing, ship construction and In science
and research.
All Glasses Represented.
The personnel of the Navy are Sc
lected from all parts of the country,
from the farm and city, from the best
of the countrys youth. All enter the
naval service on an equal footing,
either as enlisted men in the training
stations or as midshipmen at Annapo-
lis. If not over 20, the enlisted man
has the opportunity through competi-
trance to Annapolis; 100 appointments
to the Naval Academy being made avail
able for this purpose each year. In the
advancement of all naval personnel abil-
ity and character, loyalty and service
are the only factors considered. Money,
preferment and influence have no part
in the Nays ladder of success.
young man who enlistS in the Navy
is first sent to training station, where
he spends several weeks learning to
take care of himself and the rudimentS
of discipline He is given an elementary
course of study in his duties in the
naval service. He is placed in a posi-
ton to realize the necessity of con-
stituted authority. He Is taught the
fundamentals of life of success, the
benefits of an active mind and the
necessity Of sound body. The Navy
accepts the responsibility of teaching
him trade which is best suited to his
own ability. Upon the completion of
his fundamental training the young
man Is sent on board cruising vessel
of the fleet, where he becomes a part
of he same systematic organization as
the officer. The training and schooling
continues on board ship, under the SUI
pervision Of the ships officers. He is
r~sy, lat - Ro nm nftine
and usually given good training in a
trade useful on shore when naval serv-
ice is over. Physical development goes
hand in hand with mental training, and
recreation is stressed as requisite for
both.
Glasses Are Maintained.
Glasses are maintained on board ship,
and training courses outlined by the
Navy Department for specific branches
are available to all men. These courses
are now so complete that during the
past year orders were issued to the
naval service that advancement in q
mans rating was authorized only upon
completion OF the required training
course in his particular line of work.
In addition to this training, schools
are maintained on shore, where men
are ordered for advanced training in
the various branches.
The return of an honorably dis
charged Navy man to his home carries
to that community sober disciplined.
| industrious man. of good character. well
fitted to earn b good living. He is
an asset to any community, and with
thousands of other Navy-trained men,
forms dependable body on which the
Nation may rely in case Of any crisis.
That the Navy today Is offering a
happy and useful service, is shown by
the fact that now it is obtaining bet
ter material in its recruiting than 1t
has ever before obtained. For example,
during the month of March Of all re-
cruits received only per cent had less
than eight years schooling: is per
| cent had had lust eight years school