The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1898-01-24
C0NGREssMxH BULL'S NAVAL RE-
SERVE BILL.

representing III Cohtrcss VIC hise uis-
trict OF Rhode Island, has introduced 10
| provide for the enrolment and orgaDisa-
ton OF naval reserve forces. puts in dei-
mite form the important suggestions
made from time to time for several years
past by Congressman Bull and other au-
thorities for organizing what Is com
monly referred TO as the naval branch of
the militia
The plan In its fundamental idea goes
hack to the original conception Of a ma
val reserve directly associated with the
national government instead of being
branches OF the militia organization OF
the several states. 1t proposes the enroll
rnent when deemed necessary by the
President Of the United States. of able
bodied persons between the ages OF Is and
as, in the various classes to which they
ars eligible, and for periods not exceeding
five years, at such grades and ratings as
exist in the United States navy for which
they may be qualified, OF ex-of'icers and
formerly enlist a men In the navy and
marine curps. ex-otilcers and formerly en-
rized in the several states all officers
and enlisted men and all ex-officers and
formerly enlisted men of the revenue ma
rine life-savinR, Lighthouse and coast
survey service and all persons holding
certificates as masters or mates, or as
chief engineers OF assistant engineers, or
Licenses as pilots issued nv duly autho-
rized commissioners or boards OF inspsc-
tion, and serving in the merchant IL arine
OF the United States, and all other
officers and men serving In said merchant
marine, the owners, officers and crews of
yachts enrolled In any regularly inoorpo.
rated yacht club and every other person
whose principal occupation is on the
biSh seas or navigable waters Of the
United States, or in the construction, re-
pair and rigging Of vessels or the con-
struction and repair Of marine engines or
electric plants or parts thereof.
Every person thus enrolled in the
United States naval reserve or who has
received full and honorable discharge
therefroni, shall DO exempt from service
on the land in the national guard or
militia The ofllcsrs shall be duly COM
missioned, and shall be borne upon the
Navy Register as United States Naval
Reserves. and the men shall receive en-
rollmcnt papers and certificates stating
their physical and professional ability,
and the length of their previous service.
They shall not be called into active ser.
vice In time OF peace, but II they so
exercises or instruction as commission
created by the bill may determine and
shall be rated and paid for such service
as officers and men Of the navy when
actual prescribed duty is performed. In
time of war or danger Of war this
national naval reserve may be called out
by the President and must respond under
the usual pain and PENALTY OF desertion.
The system of Organization, clsssiflca-
tion and enrolment Of the United States
naval reserve shall be established by a
board of commissioners to consist OF two
represon tatives Of the United States
Navy, two representatives of the United
States merchant marine, and one repre-
sentative Of the State naval militia to be
appoipted by the president, and to serve
for five years each and without extra
compensation for such service. This
board shall also issue all eurollment
papers and certificates and establish rules
control, and training of the United States
naval reserve, and the secretary of the
navy Is authorized to detail officers and
petty officers of the navy to act as inspect
tors. Instructors, ana enrolling officers Of
the naval reserve and 10 be the respon-
sible custodians OF any and all pronerty
Of the United States issued for their en-
rolling. training and srming. The bill
calls for an appropriation annually of
fifty thousand dollars for this purposed
branch of our naval service. The till
has gone 20 the committee on naval
affairs of which Congressman Bull is a
member and a favorable report 10 ex.
peoted.
An American citizen for forty years