The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1910-08-07

From Capt. S w. Stratton and officers
OF the good ship Ozark to the humblest
galley boy in the seamen's mess the story
Of IN treatment during the cruise Of the
Naval Reserves, circulated by FIVE de-
serters. was denied when the monitor
locked yesterday.
SO irate were the crew over the tales
of bad food. Inhuman treatment and
hard work aboard that they obtained
permission from Capt. stratton to cir
culate a petition Of denial. and every man
who made the cruise signed it.
It is said Burnitt Hibbs and Frank Ken
ney. two Of the FIVE lads who jumped
ship at Annapolis and who were wait
ing at the wharf when the Ozark steamed
in yesterday, declared to their angry
messmates that the stories they told had
been exaggerated.
Young Dcserters Report.
With a bevy OF young jackies around
them asking what they meant by start
ing the anvil chorus against their ship
they were not so certain the food wa:
bad and the work too hard TO be borne
The young deserters reported in" as
soon as the gangway was lowered. evi
IDENTIFY with the intention of escaping
formal charge OF ship-jumping.
The other boys were on the docks dur
ing the morning. but did not report dur
Ing the day
1t was mystery on board the Ozarl
how the report could have been printe;
in a Washington newspaper that twenty
hve men had skipped from the ship a
Annapolis. Most of the reserves were
willing TO charge it up to the ambition
OF overanxious reporters.
II was n tanned healthy. and happy
band OF amateur jackies who thronged
ashore. with their kits swung over theii
shoulders. after the last muster yester-
day afternoon When quarters was
sounded. haff an hour after the hionito
had warped into the wharf. the reserves
sprang TO their ranks like veteran sea
men. and there was a satisfied ring il
every voice as each answered to hi
name
Scramble for Homes.
AS soon as roll call was over there wa
a scramble for kits and hammocks, an
I've minutes later. still clad in spOtles
whites" they poured across the gang
way and swung aboard uptown cars
the tune Of rousing cheers for Cap
suatton and the Ozark
There was not note OF dissensiOn I
the general denial Of the lurid tales q
brackish water and~filthy food that hay
been startling the National Guard an
regular army and navy alike.
Mai. lie Roy Heron. inspector ger
eraI Of the militia, who boarded N
Ozark at Indian Head. branded ii
charges groundless in his report to Dit
trict headquarters. Capt. Stratton tol
the same story. but the most signifiCaT
denlals came from the crew.
The mess call always brought IL
boys on the rum" said Yeoman Williai
c. Holmes. in his report Of the cruis
which goes to headquarters as oficia
Food was served regular style. an
the boys enjoyed every bite Of the
apportionment Of meat, potatoes. jar
coffee, bread. and butter. The menu WI
changed daily. and there was no o
portunity for the men to become tir,
OF steady lay-outs.
An unusual amount of shore liber
was given on this cruise. many goir
ashore at Old Point, Norfolk. and Port
mouth. -......
No sickness AboHd.
There was rot single complaint
sickness Of a serious nature aboard Z
Ozark. The general conduct Of the 7
serves was exemplary, and no COZ
plants Of disorderly conduct were regi
tered Several lof the newly enlist
men succumbed TO the temptation
jumping quarters ana had a few ext
hours' work added TO their daily duti,
but none Of the offenses was of a cha
acter demanding serious considerable
and the ship holds a record In that n
a single man was put in the brig"
The only grounds possible for {
charges OF the deserters was breakdov
in the water coolers during the first L
days of the cruise. which made II nee,
sary to use tepld water for drinking. B
according TO the men, nobody mind
much
IN Ills ltpUll N-GpA- oAAdAAbH tADlalL
that the cruise to sea was abandon
because the Ozark could make but ser
knots, and rolled badly in the trough
the Virginia Capes She was order
back to Hampton Roads by the iagsl
Chicago.
Cruise Was Success.
I'm spite Of the fact that the name
vering waters were not reached by I
Ozark. the cruise proved remarkal
success" said the report
Capt Stratton had good word TO S
for his entire crew. He said the fire a
engine forces were the best he had e.
sailed with. and that his officers show
themselves efficient in every emergen
In regard 10 my failure to make
report of the desertions,' said the CO
mander of the Ozark. 1T might be v
The Land of the sky Excursion
Wonderful Mountains OF Western No
Carolina, Asheville, n. c. $500 roI
trip. Leave washington a. m, South
offv-o-- % See DISPLAY adv