DESERTIONS. The bureau is very glad to be able to report a decrease in desertions over last year. This result is due to several causes the principal one, it is believed, being the liberal policy pursued in regard to discharging men for good reason prior to expiration of enlistment. The finger-print system of identification should have a deterring effect on desertion. Undoubtedly it would if greater efforts were made to apprehend deserters, for there is no doubt about the efficiency of the system, and those who desert know it. The bureau's files of identification cards are now complete, the records containing one for every man in the service. Its use began January 1, 1907, and during the year 438 men were identified by means of the finger prints. It is a system of practically absolute accuracy. Desertions fiscal year ending June 30, 1911. Men absenting themselves from ship or station without authority.... Desertions for fiscal year ending June 30, 1911..... Percentage of desertions based on 60,800, the whole number of enlisted men in the service during the year..... Men who deserted during previous years and voluntarily returned to service or were apprehended during the fiscal year ending June 30, 1911: 3,284 493 405 898 2,386 142 2,528 4.16 170 298 468 323 Desertions from vessels and stations for fiscal year ending June 30, 1911; also deliveries and surrenders for that year and for desertions of previous years. Desertions from vessels and stations for fiscal year ending June 30, 1911; also deliveries and surrenders for that year and for desertions of previous years-Continued. |