Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-01-15

| it would be necessary to appoint COM
| mittee to see that the bills were presented
| to Congress in the proper light, and which
would be at all times at the call of the
Secretary of the Navy to advise him as to
| the needs of the naval militia, and to con-
| suit with him 70 what should be done
| with the organizations of the several states.
| 1t was therefore desired to get the very
| best men in the association on the COM
mittee.
| Committee Consists Of One Member.
Capt. ]. w. Miller of New York, who is
| ose of the prominent business men of New
| York city, said that too much stress could
not be laid on this phase of the work. He
said 1t was necessary that the committee
should be constituted to be at all
times ready to give information to the
Secretary of the Navy and to Congress. and
to be prepared to give its attention to the
bills before Congress.
President Geer asked the association as
to the size of the committee. and the gep-
eral opinion was that it shauld be made as
small as possible. On learning this the
president said he had supposed such would
be the pleasure of the association and with
this decision in view he had concluded that
one man would be about the best committee
that could be appointed
He said that in selecting one for the work
he had decided upon a man who had been
at all times ready and willing to do what
he could for the naval militia, and who
uSiAciStidtSu dpLlly 10 10 Things
that would count on numerous occasions.
1t therefore gave him great pleasure to an
nounce, he said, the selection of Mr.. Sid
ney Bieber of this city for the place.
Mr.. B1eber was one of the organizers Of
the local naval militia and has been one of
its most enthusiastic members AS lieua
tenant and paymaster he has had charge
of all the stores and has been RESPONSE
Bile for the conduct of the business inter-
ests of the organization. He is a Wash
inston man in every sense of the word. He
has lived here almost all his life and receiv-
ed his education here. He has been an ac-
tive member of the naval militia ever since
it's organization. He is at present the fire
marshal OF the District, and as such en-
joys wide acquaintance among public
men.
The officers of the navy and his comrades
and shipmates are much gratified at his
appointment to represent the association,
and he is promised, through Lieutenant
Commander Usher, a hearty support.
Item in Appropriation Bill.
The association adopted by unanimous
vote resolution, introduced by Lieut..
Commander Fry of New York, requesting
the Secretary of the Navy to insert in the
naval appropriation bill an item of $4,000
for arms, clothing and equipment for the
naval militia
Capt. Miller of New York introduced res
olutions thanking Secretary Moody, AS
sistant Secretary Darling, Speaker Can
non, chairman ross OF the naval commit
tee of the House, Representative Dayton of
West Virginia and the militia officials of
the District of Columbia for the cordial re-
ception given the association and the
hearty support promised. These resolu-
lions were also adopted unanimously
The election was accomplished with no
dissenting votes. The committee on nomi-
nations reported in favor Of the old Off
GERS. Two of these officers are now out of
the naval militia, however, and it was nee
eSsary to make some changes.
The officers proposed by the committee,
and elected, after the ticket had been re-
considered, follows: President, Commander
Edwin Geer of Baltimore. Nd; first vice
president Lieut.. Commander H. c. Darby
of Illinois; second vice president Lieut. Sid
ney Bieber of the District of Columbia; sec
rotary, Lieut.. Willard of Baltimore, Md;
treasurer. Commander Washington Irving
of Hoboken, N. ]. All of the officers but
the first and second vice presidents are re-
elected
The business of the meeting being closed,
the association adjourned sine die. This
afternoon the members of the association
will spend their time taking trip over the
city in the seeing Washington cars as the
guests of Gen. George III. Harries. Tonight
the local naval militia will entertain the
visitors at banquet at the New Willard.
Pending Bills Discussed.
The naval militiamen went right to the
root of the business they have come here
to transact at the afternoon session yester-
day, and proceeded to discuss, section by
section the two bills that have been pre-
scented to Congress. The meeting was
opened shortly after 2 o'clock by President
Geer. and Senate bill $3.50, which provides
for the establishment of naval militia and
defines it's relations to the government, was
taken up.
The discussion of the bill was made of
more than ordinary Importance by the pres
ence of so many men who have labored for
the naval militia for many years past and
who thoroughly understand what they are
called upon to do Lieutenant Commander
Usher of the regular navy and Lieutenant
Commander A. b. Fry of the New York
naval militia were of great assistance to
the members in their discussions. Mr.. Usher
is member of the general board of the
navy, which carefully scanned the bill and
prepared it for its presentation, and Mr..
Fry was member of the advisory board of
the National Guard of New York. which ex-
amined the Dick bill and advised the gov
ernor as to Its relations to the New York
militia.
During the discussion the fact was brought
out that the District of Columbia and New
Jersey are the only states represented at
the meeting where the naval militia is I'M
der the direct control Of a military officer.
Here the general commanding the District
militia has control and in New Jersey and
major general commanding the division of
the national guard is in command
Reported Favorably.
Immediately after the consideration of the
militia bill was concluded Mr.. Fry stated
that, as chairman of the committee which
had been appointed to consider the bill. he
wished to announce that the committee had
examined the bill during the meeting and
had reached the unanimous opinion that 1t
carried out the views of the members of the
association. He therefore wished to report
1t favorably. The report was received and
adopted
A discussion of Senate bill 2991. which
provides for the enrolment and organiza-
ton of United States naval reserve was
then begun.
The naval reserves as explained by Lieu
tenant Commander Usher will be national
| and will prove feeder for the regular navy.
Many of the large class of landsmen and
enlisted men who, on the expiration OF their
| first enlistment in the past have left the
navy, 1t is believed, will join the reserves,
service In which will not require more than
L a month or - each year, but will afford an