Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-12-17
Attempt to Put the Local Organi-
zation on a Sound Basis.
PROVISIONS OF SENATOR HALE'S BILL
Likely to Be Favoraby Reported
Soon.
THE PRESENT ORGANIZATION


present Congress provision will be made
for placing the naval militia of the Dis
trict of Columbia on the same footing with
respect to appropriations and other ad
vantages that is enjoyed by the naval
militia in the several states. A little over
a year ago efforts were begun to estab-
lish a naval militia for the District of
Columbia, and today there are enrolled,
under an organization which has its head
quarters in the United States navy yard
here, about 125 members. In the last Con-
gress a bill passed by the Senate
and favorably reported to the House OF
Representatives giving this organization
equal privileges with similar organizations
in states. but it failed of final passage in
the House during the last days of the
Congress. although no objection to the
measure was made.
During the special session of Congress
last spring Mr.. Hale, chairman of the
Senate committee on naval affairs intro
duced bill for the organization of a
naval battalion in the District of Column
bia. which is substantially similar to the
bill for the SAME purpose considered by the
last Congress. 1t provides
Senator HaIe's Bill.
THAT in addition to the companies of
volunteer militia now authorized in the
District OF Columbia there may be organ
lied not more than four companies of
raval militia, which shall constitute bat
TALON. to be known as the naval battalion
of the National Guard of the District of
Columbia.
THAT the officers of the naval battalion
shall consist of enc commander, and a
staff. to consist of one executive officer
with the rank of lieutenant commander,
one adJutant, one chief engineer. one pay
master and surgeon, each with the
rank of lieutenant, and one assistant engi-
neer with the rank of lieutenant, junior
grade.
That each company shall consist of
one lieutenant one junior lieutenant two
ensiSns and not less than two nor more
than SIX crews each crew to consist of
not exceeding sixteen petty officers and
men,
That in all matters not otherwise sDe-
ciaiIy provided for the provisions of law
Mnich provide for the organization of the
militia of the District of Columbia shall
apply 10 the naval battalion.
nat general routine of duty, discipline
ana exercises of the naval battalion, and
parts thereof. shall conform with the laws
customs and usages of the navy as far as
the same apply, and where they do not
apply then such routine of duty discipline
anu anu exercises shall conform to the laws
governing the volunteer forces of the Dis
trict of Columbia"
Referred to Mr. Hale.
At meeting of the Senate committee on
naval affairs Wednesday morning this hill
was referred to Senator Hale for a report,
anu IL IS understood that it will be favor
abiy reported to the Senate in a short time
Durlng the last administration the Navy
department favored the LEGISLATION asked
Tor, and Assistant Secretary Roosevelt oc-
cuples the same position. The District
commissioners have also indorsed the
movement.
The Present OrgnnizntfOn
The naval reserve battalion of the Dis
trict of Columbia was organized November
Is 1886. with the following officers: Com
mander Robert P. Hams, Lieut.. Com. VIM
A. Megrath, Lieut.. James II. Colwell, in
charge of division i; Lieut.. W. T. Gray, in
charge of division 2; Lieut.. Z. T. KirnbalL
in charge of division g. Adjutant s. G. Hop
kIns, Paymaster S. Bieber, Lieut.. T. r.
Lee, Junior grade. Lieut.. S. j. Allen, junior
grade; Assistant Engineers j. NJ. Ober and
j. r Scott or the above officers Messrs.
Hains. Megrath. Colwell, Gray and Kimball
are graduates of the United States Naval
Academy.
or the 2d of December, 1896. the COM
manding officer at the United States navy
yard here fitted up for the of the bat
TALON large room in the boat house at
the navy yard and gave permission for the
battalion to drill in the navy yard. Boat
crews were organized and considerable
practice has been given the battalion.
With the advantages that Will be given
the organization through the passage of the
bill referred to. il is expected the naval bat
TALON will make rapid progress, SO that it
viii soon be equal. if not superior, to any
similar oraaniza ton in TIE country. There
about thirty graduates of the United
States Naval Academy residing here, and
not in the naval service. These graduates
take an active interest in the work of
building up a naval battalion and provide
aYnpIe material to call upon to place ii
upon a high footing