The receipt of many applications for associate membership from participants in the recent volunteer cruise marks another step forward in the work of broadening the field of the Institute's usefulness. A quotation from a letter received from the executive officer of one of the vessels detailed for the cruise reads as follows: "As part of the training and instruction of the civilians embarked on this vessel for the civilian volunteer cruise, we have given a number of lectures and informal talks on various professional subjects, and on such occasions the NAVAL INSTITUTE PROCEEDINGS have been frequently brought into use. This has brought the Institute to the attention of these men and quite a number have expressed a desire to become members." A pertinent question received from a prospective applicant is "Of what value is membership in the Institute?" Another remark on the same subject is reported: "Membership consists only in paying two dollars for a magazine." The answer to these remarks is not entirely obvious, for the benefits of membership are not all tangible and visible, there is no club house, no annual banquet. The particular question above was answered as follows:
The value of membership consists not only in the receipt of the Proceedings, which contains articles and discussions on every conceivable topic connected with the growth and development of our naval service, Professional and War Notes and Reviews of books and periodicals dealing with professional and international subjects; but also in the fact that you become one, in spirit, of a community working for a definite, worthy purpose. The Institute justly claims to be the true medium for the expression of thought and opinion of those most interested in the naval branch of the government service, and the best way for one to express interest in the upbuilding of the navy is through an active, participating membership in the Institute. The Naval Institute should be to thoughtful people what the more popular types of illustrated magazines are to merely thinking people.
The Institute depends upon its members for material, solicits articles and discussions of articles from its members, and pays for such as are accepted. Any increase in membership widens the field from which the Institute draws its material, and is an assurance not only of material wellbeing, but of improvement in quality. The list of associate members is increasing rapidly, but, naturally, the Institute desires the support and backing of all those interested in naval affairs.
It may also be of interest to you to know that the Institute is a mutual organization, the object of which, as we conceive it, is to produce information on naval subjects at the lowest possible cost to the individual, from "landsman-for-training" through "midshipman" to the War College graduate. The PROCEEDINGS is published each year at such a loss that the subscriptions pay but half of the cost of production, the deficit being made up through the profit on text-books, the price of the text-books themselves being kept at the lowest possible point consistent with the welfare of the Institute. I hope the foregoing will explain why the Institute needs your membership and why you should be most anxious to be an active, sustaining member.
The following letter of correction is gladly given prominence by the Institute; the account of the incident referred to was published under Professional Notes, page 1267 of Whole Number 164, as a quotation from news sources:
Sir: My attention has been called to the fact, that various publications this country have published a news item, to the effect that the Argentine battleship Rivadavia had suffered extensive damage through, stranding in the harbor of Bahia Blanca. I would appreciate very much that you be kind enough to give publicity to this letter in the valued review under your direction, UNITED STATES NAVAL INSTITUTE PROCEEDINGS, to refute the veracity of this rumor. In the recent review of warships of the Argentine and foreign countries in the roadstead of the Plata River, in celebration of the centenary of the independence of the Argentine Republic, the Argentine dreadnought Rivadavia led the column of warships, and during the trip between Puerto Militar and Buenos Aires, reached a speed of 22½ knots per hour, as in trials.
Thanking you very much for your kindness, I am sir,
Very respectfully,
C. DAIREAUX,
Captain-President of the Argentine Naval Commission.
It is believed that the scope of usefulness of the PROCEEDINGS to members of the Institute can be increased and all members are invited to assist in this work. Should any topic occur to you on which you think an article could well be written, or on which you would like to read one, send such topic to the Secretary and Treasurer, together with such explanation or comment as may appear desirable in order that the intent of the suggestion may be clearly understood. The Institute is desirous of obtaining good "sea yarns" for publication. It is hoped that anyone who can spin such a yarn will submit it.
Authors of articles submitted are urged to furnish with their manuscript any illustration they may have in their possession for such articles. The Institute will gladly co-operate in obtaining such illustration as may be suggested by authors.
Original photographs of objects and events which may be of interest to our readers are also desired.
The Institute offers its services as a "Bureau of Information" on professional questions and will endeavor to obtain replies from the best qualified sources. Those "Questions and Answers” which are suitable for purposes of general information, will appear in the PROCEEDINGS. It is suggested that knotty questions which come up in professional examinations for promotion may well be submitted to this department.
Since July 15, 1916, 1 life, 13 regular and associate members have joined the Institute, subject to approval at the annual meeting, October 12, 1916. The following additional losses in membership through death are announced:
Dr. Thomas Biddle.
Lieutenant L. T. Cutter, U. S. C. G.
The resignation of Commander Ralph Earle, U. S. Navy, from membership in the Board of Control, impelled by detachment from the Naval Academy under orders to duty Inspector of Ordnance in Charge, Naval Proving Ground, Indian Head, is announced with deep regret.
Whole Nos. 145, 146, 147, 149 and 155 of the PROCEEDINGS (March, 1913, June, 1913, September, 1913, January-February, 1914, and January-February, 1915) are exhausted; there are so many calls for single copies of these numbers that the Institute offers to pay for copies thereof returned in good condition at the rate of 25 cents per copy.
Members, especially those on the retired list, and civilians are urged to keep the Secretary and Treasurer informed of the address to which PROCEEDINGS are to be sent, and thus insure their receipt.
The Institute Book Department will supply any obtainable book, of any kind, at retail price, postage prepaid. The trouble saved the purchaser through having one source of supply for all books, should be considered. The cost will not be greater and sometimes less than when obtained from dealers. Bills will be rendered upon delivery of books.
The annual dues for 1916 became payable on January 1, 1916. It is suggested that dues be paid in lump sums covering a period of two to five years; this method of payment has advantages for members as well as for the Institute and is practised by a number of members, both regular and associate. Response to this notice will save the Institute a considerable sum in stationery and postage. Beginning January,, 1916, members residing abroad permanently or for any length of time will be charged postage at the rate of fifty cents a year.
Members and subscribers are urged to notify the Secretary and Treasurer promptly of the non-receipt of PROCEEDINGS, in order that tracers may be started. The issue is completed by the 10th of the even numbered month.
The attention of authors of articles is called the fact that the cost to them of reprints other than the usual number furnished, can be greatly reduced the reprints are struck off while the article in in press. They are requested to notify the Secretary and Treasurer of the number of reprints desired when the article is submitted.
The discount to newsdealers is now 10 per cent, instead of the 25 per cent heretofore allowed on subscriptions.