The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-05-15

The DEVELOPMENT OF the efficiency OF
the naval reserves. or militia of the sew
eral states, Is a subject to which deep
thought is now being given by Secretary
Meyer of the navy. Efforts are being
made to secure needed legislation to pro-
mote naval militia efficiency. Commander
G. C. March, son-in-law OF Rear Admiral
Evans, retired. has immediate charge of
the state naval sailors.
Like Director of the Consular Service
Carr, Commander March Is frequently on
the road visiting the headquarters of the
various naval battalions and by hustling
and lecturing stirring up sentiment and
enthusiasm for the service. Both men,
1t Is said have adopted the successful
methods pursued by John Barrett when
he took charge of the Bureau of Ameri-
can Republics No place on the map is
too far away nor are personal conditions
considered when either get an opportunity
to discourse on their hobbies.
Calculations made roughly show that
the Atlantic battleship feet made splen-
did records in the elementary target prac-
tice recently completed off the Virginia
capes The Idaho. with final score of
more than 50, leads the fleet. An idea OF
the excellence of the score may be gained
when 1t is remembered that the L. S. s.
| MarYldnQ, leader OI Tic dtliit hCCt,
made a final score of IS under the same
conditions. This indicates that the At
| lantic feet once more has scored a vic
| tory over the Pacific fleet in target prac-
| tice.
The practice this year was under new
rules, which made it more difficult than
ever before. Instead Of firing at sta
tionary target in smooth or land-locked
water. the vessels fred at moving tar
| get in the open sea. Several remarkable
records were made. The battleship
| Louisiana, which last year broke the
worlds record with one of her 12-inch
currents, equalled her score on one of her
runs at this practice. One turret firing
eight shots at the running target. made
eight hits. Another turret firing eight
shots also made eight hits. On the sec
ond run, however. the gunnery crews
were so anxious to excel this record that
they fred too fast and spoiled what
otherwise would have been a generally
excellent score.
The night firing, especially, was spec
tacular Only the smaller guns were
used at the night fire. the object of the
practice being to protect battleship
against torpedo attacks. The ships
steamed out into the black sea, the COM
manders knowing that three or more tar
gets We're hidden somewhere. By the
aid of the searchights these targets were
picked up and the three-inch guns i'm
mediately ma ked them as their prey.
The scores are calculated according to
the time it takes ship to put the targets
out OF commission. Should even one tar
get be overlooked by the ships comman-
der it is regarded as a very grievous mis-
take and counts heavily against the ship s
score, because 1t Is reasoned, that II
, this target had been a torpedoboat tine
! ship might have been destroyed. Each
| shot fred at night has a small red tracer
| attached, go they are easily discernable
as they pass through the air. 1t makes
the ship appear as If rockets were shoot
ing from all Sides and naturally adds
! to the spectacular effect of the firing.
The action of Secretary of the Navy
Meyer in ordering an end to the recent
court of inquiry into the L. s. marine
corps squabble. and to the court that II
investigating the charge that Conmande'
Hill of the gunboat Marietta did net-keer
his ship Clean has caused some criticism
The navy head. who Is having the 5gh
of his life with Congress- to have his re
, organization plan for the naval establish
ment adopted is averse to having thu
! dirty linen of the service washed II
public. The recent courtmartal of Pay
master Aud and DR.. Robinett at thu
Boston navy yard with the attendin
sensational stories, sickened the sccreta
!. ny. 1t. Is said. and he then and there or
dered the lid on.
IL %.