It is believed that the present enlistment and enrollment records should be made uniform. At present there are many different marks and modes of service records, including five different colors, which makes it rather confusing to any yeoman to discover whether he is proceeding according to the latest practice or not. In this respect it is suggested that color should show the new editions in which the latest instructions for keeping enlistment records would be found. It is suggested that the present enlistment and enrollment records are not entirely satisfactory and it is believed that a loose-leaf system could be inaugurated so that the records would be of more value than now,-mostly a conduct report. Surely a man's photograph should be carried in his record, and that there should be some place in the record whereby the duty actually performed by the men should be entered, whether it be captain of the head or swabby of the lower deck. This can probably be accomplished by a skeleton record or a part of the loose-leaf record in the hands of the division officer.

After looking over a great number of service records that have been kept under various circumstances and various conditions at this base, one is not surprised to see records which contain no entries whatever for a period of six to eight months, except possibly the time of transfer, although even this is frequently omitted. The present records are full of Ts, Rs and CRs and "Less Than One Month," but it fails to show the time of reporting for duty even though the time of transfer may be a long period. Numerous places in the record which require entry for special reasons, such as conduct, leave, other misconduct and checkage of pay are a direct invitation to inaccuracies in records.

It may be pertinent to suggest the questions as to whether or not the present system of carrying men's accounts is the best. Would it not be possible to give the man a book in which the government enters an account, the same as a bank and from which he can write checks and present them for payment at any time during office hours of the supply officer.

While on the subject, it is believed that something should be done to allow officers and offices to keep up to date on Alnav. messages, Circular Letters and General Orders, which it is suggested should be published at least quarterly and a complete edition should be sent out yearly. Bureau of Navigation Annual

Circular Letter consists of a great deal of information which is believed should be included in the order governing advancement in rating, which at present is G. O. 63, “Instruction on Board Ship." This General Order, however, is deplorably out of date and does not answer the requirements, especially for an emergency as has recently confronted the navy. There is entirely too much" A to N" and "N to Z" and not enough "how to do" and "Can you do?"

It is noted that electricians (radio), quartermasters, machinist mates, now have a letter to designate their specialties and it is suggested that a letter could be used to advantage in many more ratings, particularly the rating of yeoman.

It seems to be worth while to encourage men to qualify in more than one rating and a small amount per month for each rating in which they are qualified would probably prove a correct incentive. This should be especially valuable to different yeoman stenographers and would encourage officers in dictating rather than compiling.

In summation of the above it is believed that the best instructions now issued by the Navy Department are the rules for battle practice, which give instructions to all classes of vessels as to what practice must be held, how they are held and what reports must be made, and include a sample copy of each form that is necessary so that if for any reason the forms are not available an officer may study the sample forms and if necessary make up copies on a typewriter or have them printed. It is believed that if this can be done for such a thing as battle practice, it is feasible to issue a booklet, annually if necessary, on standard instructions for correspondence. Instructions as to procedure of transfer, receipt, checkages, sentences of summary courts martial, etc., and include a list by offices of all reports required or a reference with a copy of each report in this booklet.

[COPYRIGHTED]

U. S. NAVAL INSTITUTE, ANNAPOLIS, MD.

THE PRINCETON NAVAL UNIT

By REAR ADMIRAL CASPAR F. GOODRICH, U. S. Navy

This brief article is not designed to give all the details of the work of the Princeton Naval Unit, but only a few of them, thought to differ from those in other naval units, all of which latter were conducted on general lines laid down by the Bureau of Navigation. The members prosecuted the studies prescribed by the University faculty for the gaining of the degree aimed at individually, while the naval instruction and discipline were the care of the commandant. In my case, there was no commissioned officer to assist me. I was, however, allowed one chief yeoman. Fortunately for me, he was competent to conduct military drills, having previously had a long experience in these matters. Also, he was helpful in the routine of the office within the limits of his capacity and knowledge.

The theory of navigation, seamanship, ordnance and gunnery were taught by college professors of exceptional ability, Practical work in gun exercises and demonstration in ordnance fell to the lot of a keen chief gunner's mate after the. somewhat belated receipt of the necessary material, including some machine guns and a 4-inch loading rifle. This man had the happy knack of enthusing my lads almost as much as if he had a 14-inch gun at his command. I wish to acknowledge my indebtedness to Chief Yeoman J. G. N. Mitchell and Chief Gunner's Mate W. F. Buckley for loyal support.

Professor A. G. Mayor, a nephew of the late Rear Admiral Louis M. Goldsborough, U. S. N., assisted by Professor R. S. Dugan, the astronomer, kindly assumed charge of navigation, for which task they are eminently qualified. As the former has for years cruised about the world in a sailing vessel, he was able also, to teach seamanship. Here he was helped by Professor

Ulric Dahlgren, grandson of the late Rear Admiral John A. Dahlgren, U. S. N. In Professor Dahlgren's veins runs hereditary salt water. Later, when some cutters and whale boats arrived, he greatly aided me in boat drills conducted, perforce, by myself.

Professor L. P. Eisenhart, the mathematician, handled the subject of theoretical ordnance and gunnery in masterly fashion, acting, moreover, as liaison officer between the university authorities and me. I may here remark that my relations with these authorities continued to the end absolutely flawless. These gentlemen did all in their power to facilitate my work, freely acceding to my every request. If they entertain towards me the same feelings of regard as I do towards them I shall have good reason to be proud.

My unit was comfortably quartered in dormitories hard by an office assigned me in the gymnasium. Thus they were accessible at all times for inspection and were close to the place of formation.

So much in the way of preamble.

Possibly, nay probably, my disciplinary methods will be regarded by the majority of my readers as execrable. I should welcome universal applause, naturally, but really I would not alter those methods by a hair's breadth to win it. I was trying an experiment. As the experiment succeeded perfectly, at least to my satisfaction, I am well content.

At practically the first gathering together of the unit, I addressed the members substantially in these words:

You are training to become officers in the United States Navy. Absolute truthfulness and honesty in all your dealings is obligatory as well as diligence in your work, respect to your seniors, devotion to the service and an upholding of its traditions. I propose, with your permission, to treat you as officers. If, however, you compel me to treat you as school boys I am quite ready to do so; it all depends upon yourselves.

Therefore, when reports for some minor infractions of discipline were made to me, I adopted the rule of asking the man involved whether the report was true. If he replied that it was in error, I accepted his statement without question and dismissed his case at once. I knew instinctively that, if he lied, his colleagues would make his life very unpleasant. Should the report imply moral turpitude, I allowed him to select one judge, the battalion commander appointed a second and the two chose