Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-05-07

vessel will be temporarily attached to the
coast squadron. Gen. Harries has not yet
decided whether he will accept the invita-
ton.
Tho Navy Department having requested
an expression OF views from the COM
mander Of the coast squadron, North At
lantic feet, as to whether the naval militia
of the state Of Maryland and the Naval
Battalion Of the District of Columbia could
be made useful In connection with the pro-
posed joint maneuvers to be held in Chesa-
peake bay. the following reports were re-
ceived from the commander Of the coast
squadron. the comma nder-in-chief Of the
North Atlantic feet. and the chief of the
bureau of navigation on the subject:
from the commander of the coast SQUAD
rom 1T would not be possible to make
use of the naval militia Of the state of
Maryland and District of Columbia on
board any of the vessels of the coast SQUAD
ron in connection with the proposed Joint
maneuvers during the coming summer In
order to accommodate the midshipmen I
have approved a request of the command
ing officer of the Nevada to transfer twen-
ty-four men of his crew to a receiving ship,
in order that he may accommodate the mid
shipmen detailed for service on board his
vessel
Would Prove Of Benefit.
THE commanding officers of the Florida
and Arkansas report that, as they have in
the neighborhood of fifteen vacancies in
the complement of their vessels they will
not ask to transfer men from their vessels
for the same purpose. but they state that 1t
is absolutely necessary for them to have
these vacancies on board in order to ac-
commodate the midshipmen
The Texas could not take any naval
militia unless equal number of her crew
were transferred from her.
1t Is recognized. however. that 1t might
prove Of much benefit to the naval militia
of Maryland and the District of Columbia
to take part In the joint exercises, and in
order that they might do SO l would re-
specially recommend that the depart
ment assign number of auxiliary yachts
for this purpose.
1 am informed that the state Of Mary
land owns two very good steam yachts.
named The General Thomas and The Cen
eral Hamilton, which used to patrol
the oyster fleet. These vessels are. under
stand, very well equipped and have some
arms on board. The necessary auxiliary
yachts might be obtained from among those
used at the Norfolk navy yard in connec-
ton with the training of seamen appren-
tees, and as the joint exercises are to be
Of about weeks duration, this would
not. 1 think. interfere seriously with the
established routine In connection with the
seamen apprentices.
Should the department approve of these
suggestions I will assign the yachts with
the naval militia OH board to take such
part in the joint exercises as will be most
beneficial for their experience"
From the commander-in-c chief, North At
lantic fleet: Respectfully forwarded to the
assistant secretary of the navy, through
the bureau. of navigation, approving the
contents of the foregoing Endorsement and
further suggesting that it be arranged for
the naval militia of the District of Column
bia to have their annual drill at the time
of these exercises. and that their drill be
held on board the monitor Puritan, assign
ing her regularly to the coast squadron
while used for this purpose
Assigned to the Puritan.
From the chief of the bureau of naviga-
ton: Respectfully returned to the assist
ant secretary of the navy with the recon-
mendation that the naval militia of the
state of Maryland and the District of CO.
lumbia be invited to participate in the forth
coming army and navy exercises in Chesa-
peake bay June IL to II, inclusive.
THE naval militia of the state of Mary
land to be provided with two of the con-
verified yachts now employed in connection
with the receiving ship Franklin. at the
navy yard Norfolk, Va, and the naval
militia of the District of Columbia to be
assigned to the monitor Puritan.
THE vessels manned by the naval militia
to be regularly assigned to the coast squad
ron while participating in the exercises"
In view of the foregoing reports Assistant
Secretary Darling has. stated, formally
invited the Naval Battalion of the National
Guard of the District of Columbia to par
tfcipate in the exercises.
Camp at Harper's Ferry.
The troops of the National Guard of the
District of Columbia will go into camp on
Bolivar Heights, near Harper's Ferry, W.
Va. Thursday morning. August 8. next
The guard will strike camp ten days later
Saturday. August IL.
Maj. Neumeyer. commissary general and
acting quartermaster general, recently
made several trips to Harper's Ferry and
completed arrangements at that end Of the
line for the outing. He has secured the
use of additional ground, planned for an
abundant supply Of water and for many
improvements over the conditions that ex-
isted last year. AS the greater portion OF
the camp equipage was stored at Harper's
Ferry at the end of the camp last August
and as the quartermaster generals ice
boxes and other permanent structures were
lett In position. the establishing of the city
OF canvas next August will be COMPARE
lively simple proceeding.
Burkart Medal Match.
The Burkart medal match ten shots by
each competitor. at 200. 800. 500 and coo
yards. will be shot in the rifle gallery, Cen
ter Market Armory next Wednesday even
ing. Entitled to compete for the medal are
those who attained 30 per cent In the reg
ular series of gallery team matches recent
ly concluded. They are: First Lieut. H. B.
Hollifield, surgeon, Sd Battalion Sergt W.
M Farrow. 4th Battalion, who won the
medal last year. and Private Eugene A.
Byrnes and Private T. p. Healy, both of
Company i, LIST Regiment
The I'd Regiment has voted to affiliate
with the National Rifle Association of
America. and similar action has been taken
by the 1st Di vision. Naval Battalion
First Separate Battalion.
Capt. E. L. Webster. Company A, 1st Sep
arate Battalion. has directed that all gov
eminent property issued to members of his
command be carefully cleaned and in place
In the lockers not later than the 18th in
slant, when a rigid inspection will be held
The applications Of William C. Soders
and Frank w. Pettiford for membership
in Company A. LIST Separate Battalion, have
been approved by the recruiting COMMITTED
Straughter Pitts has been enlisted in the