Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-10-23
NAVY RULING BARS
CRUISE TO EUROPE
Several Members of District
Battalion Likely to Re-
main at Home.
CANNOT DRAW SALARIES
WHILE ABOARD THE SHIPS
Eleventh-Hour Ruling by Secretary
Daniels Upsets Plans for De.
parture Tonight.

An eieVenth-hour ruling by Secretar,
Daniels OF the Navy Department NAV
prevent about eight enlisted men of the
Naval Battalion, N. G. D. c., from MAX
ing the coming European cruise of the
Atlantic fleet. Secretary Daniels has
ruled that the employees of the Navy De-
partment cannot go and receive their
clVlnan pay while they are away
Inc men were first scheduled to leave
last msht, but the permission of the de-
partment was given them to stay over
uhth tonight on account of the visit of
the PRESIDENT. However, last night ii
became known that Secretary Daniels
would not approve of the men from the
Navy Department and navy yard making
the trip while receiving civilian pay
even though they were paying their ex-
penses on shipboard
Had Given Consent.
At first the department had given its
approval to the men going, with the
provision that they would receive their
civilian pay, If the National Guard would
issue service cards to them. However,
somebody at the Navy Department got to
deiving deep into the musty law files,
and Thought it would be a violation or
law to let the men go under the
conditions.
1t appears that the men were not
under orders to go. The Navy Depart
ment sent out the invitation to the men
TO go with the understanding that they
would be under no expense to the gov
eminent, even though they devote large
part of the time to training and would
even give their services while on the
smpS and would be subject to the navy
rules and regulations, just the same as
a -nA 10 nr11 GOD
chat they desired to make the trip pro-
vided they could receive their civilian pay
while away. The approval Of the National
Guard headquarters was given, but it
go. when the matter was put to Secre-
tary Daniels he disapproved of the men
going and obtaining their civilian pay.
Makes Plea for Men.
During the ceremonies last night COM
mander Dempf held long conference
with Commander Bassett, in charge of
military affairs at the Navy Department.
Commander Dempf argued that the men,
while getting the trip to Europe, were
working for the government just the
same as If they We're in their places in
this city 1t would merely mean a trans
fer of their detail from one place to
another, he commended. While Com
mander Bassett seemed to agree with
him, 1t appeared that the law and the
ruling of Secretary Daniels were in the
way.
Under the conditions as presented by
Secretary Daniels, Commander Dempf
sought to see how many men could go.
A number of the naval militiamen said
they would be unable to avail them
selves of the invitation under the con-
ditions, but they prepared a letter, to
be submitted to the Secretary today, out
lining their position, and asking him to
reconsider his decision. Commander
Dempf, together with Lieut. Burns.
went to the department today to confer
with the Secretary about the matter, be-
cause If the men are going they will
be compelled to leave tonight at GAS
clock by boat for Norfolk, so that they
may report to Admiral Badger, COM
mander-in-chief of the fleet, before noon
tomorrow.