Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-07-30
THE NAVY LEAGUE
A Section to Be Organized
in This City.
FOR ADMIRAL TAYLOR
BECAUSE LATE REAR ADMIRAL
WAS GREATLY INTERESTED.
Statement Of the Object Of the Organi-
cation and the Scope Of
It's Work.
FOR ADMIRAL TAYLOR

ton in this city of section Of the Navy
League of the United States. This league
which is intended to foster and keep alive
in times of peace the interest of the nation
In its splendid navy and to promote a sentl-
ment toward continual increase in ships
and efficiency, is being organized by sec
tons throughout the country. Already Inc
league is firmly intrenched in nearly all OF
the large cities and it's work has reached a
definite basis. At the head of the league
is Gen. Benjamin F. Tracy, former Secre-
tary of the Navy. Mr.. William McAdoo, at
present police commissioner Of Greater
New York and former assistant secretary
of the navy, Is vice president. President
Roosevelt and Attorney General Moody,
former Secretary of the Navy, have ac-
cepted posts as honorary vice presidents
Steps are now being taken toward the Or
ganization of a Washington section, and
the movement is said to be meeting win
gratifying encouragement. Inc work u
organization has been placed In the hands
of Lieut. Sidney Beber. paymaster OF the
naval militia of the District of Columbia.
and he has already enlisted the support OF
a large number Of men Of affairs.
The Admiral Taylor Section.
Under the scheme of organization adopted
by the league the various branches In diff
ferent parts of the country are known as
Sections" 1t was proposed In connection
with the formation of the Washington sec
ton to give to 1t the name of Admiral Tay-
lor. All existing sections are designated by
the names of illustrious naval officers or
line of battle ships and it is proposed to
carry this scheme out as far as possible.
Occasionally exceptions have been made
to the rule, as in the case of Yale Univers-
ity section, Columbia University section,
Maritime section No. of New York and
Headquarters section, New York.
The desire of the local organizers to name
the Washington section in honor Of Admiral
Taylor, who had taken a deep interest In
affairs of the local naval militia. as was evil
denced by the recent assignment Of the
monitor Puritan to the District battalion
and other acts of courtesy, was communl-
Gated to the headquarters of the league.
Word was received in reply that In naming
sections for naval officers it had been de-
cided as a rule inviolate that only the
Eames of dead officers might be employed.
This rule was in consonance with the use
of the names of individuals in practically
every branch of business municipal no
menclature, as well as in the designation OF
torpedo boats and torpedo boat destroyerS
of the United States navy.
When confronted by this iron-clad rule,
the local navy league promoters took the
next best course and asked Admiral ray
Tor to designate name. In compliance
with the request he suggested a number Of
appropriate names, but had come to no
final decision at the time the news was re-
ceived in tins city few days ago of his
unexpected death.
In this sad and deeply deplored manner
the obstacle in the way Of the selection of
the name originally decided upon was re-
moved and claim for the name will at
once be filed on behalf of the proposed
Washington section.
1t is the belief of the national authorities
of the league that here In Washington the
strongest possible section should be main
tanned. This Is the seat of the govern
ment and 1t Is here that the Navy Depart
ment is located. Washington is thus an
Ideal point from which to arouse interest
in naval affairs. The underlying object of
the league is to get the people of the
United States, especially those living in the
interior, as well acquainted, and even bet
ter SO, with the navy than with the army.
Character of Membership.
Membership In the league Is not limited
only to the extent that United States SEN
ators and representatives may not belong.
Bank presidents, capitalists, professional
men, clerks and laborers, all are eligible to
membership, as the organization is to be
thoroughly American in character and is
expected to appeal to the patriotic spirit
of every American citizen, no matter how
humble may be his calling in life. Member
ship subscriptions have already been re-
ceived from a large number of Washington
people. All the officers of the naval militia
are interested and will assist In the work
of organization.
One of the principal means employed by
the league in furthering its objects is the
issuance of monthly bulletin or journal,
which is sent to every member. The pub
icatlon of the bulletin has been under way
for about two years now and aroused much
Interest. 1t treats and describes the many
things pertaining to the navy which the
ordinary reader or student mas no other
means of learning. For instance, one bule-
tin will describe the construction, the pur-
ICSe and the method of operating a tor
pedO boat and torpedo boat destroyers.
Another issue will describe the construction
and methods of laying and firing sublna-
rne mines. The construction and equip-
ment of battle ships form interesting sub
jects. BY this method the pubiica lion is
rot only intended to describe things of un-
usual interest. but to acquaint the members
OF the league with the operation of the
navy in all it's branches. In case Of neces-
sty volunteers. for the navy Drawn from
the league membership would find force
at least specifically acquainted with naval
vessels and implements of war.
The league has been organized on tie
principle that the best way to have peace
with all nations is through the medium of
an adequate navy, with ships in ordinary
which in time of war could be speedily
manned by trained and intelligent re-
serve. The league hopes to bring the peo-
pie Of the rural districts. who help to bear
touch with the navy.
In furthering the organization of the
Washington chapter Lieutenant Bleber
Is to have consultation with members
of the board of education with regard to
interesting the school children OF the Dis
trict. The navy leagues of foreign coun-
tries distribute toys and buttons sugges-
tive of the navy among the children. They
offer prizes for letters and essays on top
les affecting the navy.
Object of the League.
When the local section Is organized fire.
quent meetings will be held under it's
auspices at which lectures, with stereop-
ticon views and all the latest news of the
navy, will be given. The purposes Of the
league are variously set forth in num-
Der of interesting pamphlets now in the
hands of the organizers.
1t is stated that the scope of the league
Is as broad as the continent. Every rep
utable man. woman and child in the coun-
try is eligible to membership. There is
no politics. no sectionalism, no selfish per-
sonal interest to serve in the undertake
ing. The one object is to help the United
States navy, and to that end it proposes
to appeal to the patriotism of the Ameri-