Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-01-14
THE NAVAL: RESERVES
Militia Organization Makes
Appeal ID Congress.
OBJECTS OUTLINED
PRESIDENT ROOSEVELT AND
OTHERS GIVE ENCOURAGEMENT.
Legislation Wanted for Benefit Of
Naval Branch Of National
Defenders.

joint movement by the Navy Depart
ment and the Naval Militia Association of
the United States to place the naval militia
of the several states on firmer basis and
secure the enactment of legislation which
will do for the naval militia what the Sick
bill Is intended to do for the National
Guard, had its beginning in a special meet
ing of the Naval Militia Association held
at the New Willard this morning. The as
ISOLATION will continue it's sessions tomor-
row. Prominent naval experts from every
section of the country, from the Navy De-
partment and from Congress exchanged
views on the matter, and without unneces-
sary delay the men who are determined to
bring about new state of affairs in the
naval militia went to work to place their
desires before the national legislature.
The meeting of the association which be-
gan today Is for business only. Every one
of the fifty or more milft1amen who re-
sponded to the roll call are determined TO
make their visit to the national capital
count for something In tangible results 1t
Is the first time that the members Of this
association have buckled down to work for
what they want. and they have received
assurances from the President, the Secre-
tary of the Navy, the Speaker OF the House
of Representatives and the chairman OF
the House committee on naval affairs that
to reasonable bounds. The sentiment of
the people who spoke at the meeting today
was that OF hearty support Tor the associ-
alton in its work and cordial cooperation
between the association and the Navy De-
partment.
Secretary Moody's Views.
The meeting was called to order at 10
o'clock by Capt j. w. Miller, commander
Of the naval militia of New York. Com
oP pa1fi practdpnf of the
association, did not arrive until almost
noon Secretary Moody was the first
speaker introduced after the association
had been welcomed to the city by Capt
Miller. The Secretary said the ADMINS
tration favored the passage OF such ieglse
latiOn as would put the naval militia OF
the several states on the very hrmest Iouh-
dalton. 49,
He said he realized what the militia meant
to the navy proper, and that the president
and the officials of the Navy Department
were disposed to indorse anything within
reason the association should ask. He SAID
he had been invited to attend the meeting
by the officers of the association, and that
he had been asked to detail two of his Off
GERS to consult with the leaders of the move
ment so that there should be no danger OF
friction between the department ana the
association when the matters under con-
sideration were presented to Congress. Thls
request. he said,e had been partially com
piled WITH and he will do whatever he can
to assist.
Congress Represented.
Sneaker Cannon was then introduced. Mr..
Cannon spoke of the valuable men the as
ISOLATION would find on the naval affairs
committee of the House, and he advised the
members of the association to call on them
and advise with them as to what was want
ed of Congress- He said Congress will be
glad to aid the association In every way
possible and promised his support to any
measures presented which would not con-
fict with other legislation or the policy or
the nation. He said the naval militia Is
necessity If a navy was to be maintained,
and he heartily favored the maintenance of
a navy at all costs
Representative George 2. Foss Of Illinois,
chairman of the committee on naval af-
fairs of the House, upon being introduced,
spoke earnestly of the desire of the commit
tee to treat the naval militia In the pest
manner possible. He said no one who had
given the matter the slightest attention
could get away from the fact that II Con-
gress enables a naval militia or a naval re-
serve to be properly organized 1t would 90
more for the maintenance of the principles
of liberty and equity in the United States
and throughout the world than would any
thing else Congress could do. "A large
navy has become necessity, ana TO put
that navy in condition to meet all REQUIRE
ments a reserve force of men. naval militia,
should be equipped and held in readiness at
all times for any emergency. He promised
his hearty support to such measures as the
association should agree upon.
Representative Dayton of West Virginia.
a member Of the naval affairs committee OF
the House. also promised his support to
any measure on proper lines that might
come before him. He said he believed the
future greatness Of the United States de-
pended upon the navy. The army, he said,
had performed its duties admirably and
stands today without a peer in the world
The navy must be assisted and made larger.
He said he believed to establish naval
militia is the proper way in which to culti-
vate a sentiment for the navy. and he
hoped 1t would succeed in placing Itself on
as high a plane and as firm a basis as the
other auxiliary organizations of the gov
eminent
Urges United Action.
Assistant Secretary Darling Of the Navy
Department said, when introduced, that he
desired to impress on the association the
necessity for firm and united action. Talk
of patriotism and love of flag is all very
well, he said. 1t is understood, however.
that the men in the naval militia are pa
,,;co how xyo,,1d nf In,