Evening star., 1897-01-04
NAVAL MILIT Ia
Assistant Secretary McAdoo's Pro-
posed Amendments.
CHANGES SUGGESTED IN THE BILL
It Will Be a Militia Battalion, Not
Reserve.
THE MEASURE APPROVED

Assistant Secretary McAdoo has written
letter to Representative Robinson of
Pennsylvania suggesting several amend
n:ents to H. R. 1861, providing for 1.-The
formation of a naval reserve battalion in
the District of Columbia
The bill provides as follows:
That in addition to the companies CT
volunteer militia now authorized in the
District of Columbia there may be organ
lied not more than four companies of naval
militia. which shall constitute a battalion,
to be known as the naval reserve battalion
of the National Guard of the District CT
Columbia.
Sec 2. That the officers of the naval
reserve battalion shall consist of one COM
mander and staff to consist of one ex-
ecutive officer, with the rank of lieutenant
commander. one adjutant, one paymaster
and one surgeon, each with the rank of
lieutenant. and the following petty officers:
One master-at-s rms, one yeoman, one
apothecary and one chief bugler.
Sec. B. That each company shall consist
OF one lieutenant, one junior lieutenant,
two ertsigns and not less than two nor
more than six crews, each crew 10 consist
or not exceeding sixteen petty officers and
men.
Sec. T. That the President may assign
an officer &c the ravy to act as instructor
aid inspector of the naval reserve bat
talon: Provided however, That the officer
so assigned shall receive no other pay
than that to which his rank in the navy
entities him.
Sec: D. That the naval reserve battalion
shall be provided with such ordnance and
ordnance stores, clothing. eouipage and
supplies as may be under the control of
the Secretary of the Navy and are neces-
sary Tor proper training, instruction and
service. Such property shall be issued to
the commanding general of the militia of
the District of Columbia from the stores
ana supplies appropriated for the use of
.ne navy. Inc property SO issued shall
remain and continue to be property of the
United States. and shall be accounted for
oy tne commanding general at such times
anu IN such manner as the Secretary of
the Navy may require
;s sec; o. Ihat the Secretary of the Navy
Is authorized to provide such facilities for
the practical instruction of the naval ra
serve battalion as he may deem exnedient
anu may detail such commissioned and
instruction as he may deem proner 'i'e'i
Sec l. That in all matters not otherv;sa
spe.iahy proVlded for the provisions of law
,"i,i.i mnien provide for the organization of the
apply to the naval reserve battalion "''
Sec. g. That general routine of duty dis
t~ tipile ana exercises of the naval reserve
s.tE pattaiion and parts thereof shall conform
with the laws. customs and usages of tba
navy as rar as the same may appIy and
where they do not apply then such routine
OF duty. discipline and exercises shall con-
form TO the laws governing the volunteer
FORCES OF the District of Columbia ,,
me Navy Department recommends tho
Following amendments to the bill:
In the title strike out the word .reserve
section l, line 6: Strike out the word re-
naval militia and a naval reserve arc
very different organizations, and the pro-
posed functions of this battalion belong en-
ureiy 10 the militia. not to the reserve
Sections j. : CIV 10
This organization would then. as far az
the Navy Department is concerned. have
the same status other existing similar
bodies. N
The reasons for this were fully given in
the departments last letter on this subject
section Z, line 4, and section g. line .:
Strike out in each case the word reserve
for reasons above given
Should these amendments be adopted
the Navy Department recommends that 1h,,
bill be favorably reported"