Evening star., 1932-12-17
The Coast Guard.

WtlCllCNCl tllC SOuoU NIudlu SdtSAlSo
a rum runner, national publicity is as
sured. Every newspaper in the land
records the event. But what of the So
called silent activities" Of the Guard?
Are they to pass unnoticed? Perusal Of
the annual re port of Rear Admiral H.
G.. Hamlet commandant of the service,
suggests the proper answer to these
questions.
The International Ice Patrol, operat-
ing in the North Atlantic, is but one of
the unadvertised enterprises in which
the Guard IS engaged day by day. 1t
was instituted after the sinking of the
Titanic, in 1912, and because it has been
so effective, so efficient, in the perform
ance of its duty, it is able to report the
fact that no life has been lost by rea-
son of steamship collision with floating
icebergs these past twenty years.
The regulation and protection of a
long list of annual regattas is another
neglected phase Of the Guards work
Obviously a certain danger exists when
sporting chances deliberately are risked
by racing yachtsmen. Spectators of the
contests are apt to find themselves in
unguessed peril. The Guard accepts
the responsibility of policing the courses
in the interests of both participants and
bystanders, and no loss of life ever has
occurred in connection with any such
event held under Guard protection.
The Alaska service also deserves men,
ton. The Guard keeps watch over ter
ritorial waters in behalf Of the seal
herds which Congress has seen fit to
take under Government care. But hui
man beings are just as important as
seals in the eyes Of the Guard, and it
renders various and unfailing service to
shipping and gives medical aid to the
natives Of the coast settlements. In
the symbol of law and order, rare
enough quantities in those remote
neighborhoods as in communities nearer
Washington.
Admiral Hamlet calls attention to a
total OF 5,2l4 persons saved from death
by the Guard in the year ended June
80 last. Considered as group, this
figure approximates the population of
good-sized town. 1t implies at least
an equal number Of heroes. But, more
significant, 1t indicates an heroic policy.
which, however unpretending, however
unadvertised, is characteristic Of the
best American traditions.
Founded in 1890, the Guard is older
than the Navy. Its function, theoreti-
cally, is that of mere police duty to
protect life and property at sea and to
prevent violation OF the customs and
quarantine laws. Actually, it has a
much wider province. 1t apprehends
and RECEIVERS or destroys derelicts and
other menaceS to navigation; it main
tains two hundred and fifty-four life
saving stations; 1t renders medical and
other aid to deep-sea fishermen; it
regulates the marine traffic of harbors
like those of New York, Galveston, Chi
cago and San Francisco; its airplanes
operate over an area OF more than two
million square miles, and it is sum-
moned to perform all sorts of niscel-
laneous and emergency service. Its
motto is Always Ready" and it does not
fail to justify the precept The per-
sonrel of the Guard includes about
twelve thousand men, and each is
trained to be prepared for any duty
which may be assigned to him; each
is expected to be faithful, efficient and
loyal.
I,aboring unnoticed in peacetime and
wartime alike, the Coast Guard is an
institution OF which all Americans may
be proud. 1t deserves generous appre-
citation for it's good work and fine spirit.