Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-06-25
NOTES OF THE LOCAL
NATIONAL GUARDSMEN

The return of the Naval Battalion after
participating in the joint army and navy
exercises. and the parade of the troops on
the ellipse of the White Lot In connection
with the presentation of service medals
caused last week to be a period of excep
tional activity for the National Guard of
the District of Columbia. AS regards the
Naval Battalion a general order has been
issued from District militia headquarters,
publishing for the information of all con-
cerned the following letter from Admiral
DckIns, commander of the coast squadron,
North Atlantic fleet:
The joint exercises being completed, the
commander of coast squadron desires to ex-
press to all officers and men of the squadron
his appreciation Of their zeal and efficient
service shown throughout the joint exer-
cises. and to congratulate them upon the
excellent manner In which the various I'M
dertakings were carried out under frequent
ly difficult conditions. without accident or
unusual incident.
The efficient cooperation Of the
Naval Militia of the District Of Columbia
mand of Commander 8. w. Stratton. de-
serves high commendation; and the thanks
or the commander of coast squadron are ex
tended to these organza lions as well as to
the various other ships attached to the
squadron, for the hearty support and faith
full, efficient service given by all concerned"
The brigade made an excellent showing
under adverse weather conditions on the
occasion of the presentation of service med
ais. The turnout augured well for a large
attendance at the coming annual encamp-
ment, in preparation for which officers and
men will now devote their attention and en-
ergies almost exclusively.
Pay for Naval Battalion.
The controller of the treasury has rem
dered an opinion to Capt. Andrew Parker,
not ~, ii
Militia, a recommendation that the pay
table of the Naval Battalion for pay cor
responding with the army be modified as
follows: Chief petty officers to rate with
reg!mental sergeant majors. LIST class petty
officers to rate with 1st sergeants I'd class
petty officers with sergeants, Sd class petty
o1hcers with corporals, seamen with LIST
class privates of engineers, seamen Cd class
with I'd class privates of engineers. seamen
I'd class with privates of infantry; also
that the pay clerk be rated for pay with
that OF an army pay clerk.
In decision of May r. 1904, 1t was held
that inasmuch as the annual practice cruise
of the Naval Battalion of the District of
Columbia is actual field or camp service
for instruction within the meaning of
section IA of the act of January 81 1903.
and In view of the provisions of the act Of
May IL, 1898, and the action of the COM
handing general Of the militia in direct
ing the annual practice cruise. the officers
ana enlisted men or the Naval Battalion
were entitled to be paid as provided for In
the act OF January p. 1903.
Appended to the decision was a list pre-
pared in the War and Navy Departments
showing the grades in the regular army to
which the several grades Of officers and
enlisted men Of the Naval Battalion CORE
sponded or Appropriated.
The only change In the list later submit
ted and approved by the Navy Department
is that seamen LIST class are to rate with
LIST class privates of engineers, seamen "a
class with I'd class privates Of engineers:
seamen Sd class with privates OF infantry.
also that the pay clerk be rated for pay
with that of an army clerk pay clerk
As to the LIST. ID and Sd class seamen the
controller says he sees no reason why the
rating given should not receive the sane
tion Of the accounting officers. and II OF
opinion that Capt. Parker is authorized to
pay such persons. during the period OF the
annual practice cruise. the pay OF the grade
in the army to which their rank In the navy
Is now made to correspond.
As to the pay clerk the controller Is of
opinion that a paymaster's clerk in the
army Is not officer or enlisted man OF
the regular army within the meaning OF
section IA OF the act of January n. 1900,