Evening star., 1913-11-21
Naval Battalion Is Assembled
to Greet MeSsrs. SiddOnS
and Newman.
WELCOME is EXPRESSED
BY COMMANDER DEMPF
Addresses Followed by Inspection
and Drill-Jackies Are Promised
Lots of Practice

With two of the Commissioners OF the
District of Columbia, Nessrs. Newman
and SiddonS, ais guests of honor. Tho
Naval Battalion or the District. Of Co
lumbia. held. its November muster and
inspection last night In honor of this
commissioners the members Of the
battalion were put through various
drills and exercises, which elected much
praise. The Commissioners promised
the District sailors that they weuld
be given, a chance to get in some
practice work on the sylvia as Com
missioner Siddohs said he and his col
league would take advantage OF the
Invitation given TO use any of the fleet
OF boats at the Naval Battalion's dock.
As the Commissioners came over the
side Of. the Eangway the shrill calls
of the boatswain mates whistle re-
sounded through the armory, and the
eight side boys took their places ut
the head of the ganGway- As the Com
missioners appeared the ships bugler
gave the required signal, and the Dis
frict officials were escorted to the cap
rain's cabin, where they were intro
duced to Commander Dempf The Com
lnissioners. both going and coming.
we're given all the honors allowed by
the navy regulations 10 the governor OF
d state.
The honors over. Lieut.. W. Granville
Guss, executive officer. placed the bat
TALON in command of chief petty OF
ficers and marched the other officers
TO the cabin, where they Were intro
duced to the Commissioners. The DIS
trict heads were then escorted by
Commander Dempf to seats in the cen
ter of the armory, while the command
came to present arms
Introduction by Commander Dempf.
Commander Dempf in introducing the
Commissioners to the battalion eX-
pressed great pleasure in having the
city rulers" as guests, and declared
lie hoped they would visit the command
many times
Commi ssioner Newman expressed his
great pleasure in being permitted 10
meet military men, as he himself had
d ''fifteen-minute war record. OF
which he was very proud and the
whole OF 1t. he said, was spent in Buff
falo, y. Y. He declared he had always
been interested in military affairs. Like
all boys, he said he had the idea of
some day becoming a soldier When
he got older he received an appoint
ment to West Point. but left after the
first year. In explanation of his war
experience, he said that at the time. of
the Standardization war he became
u member of a volunteer company at
Buffalo and after a long wait the COM
mand was ordered to Cuba, but fiji
teen minutes after the order was re-
rhe command did not leave Buffalo.
Mr.. Newman declared that the naval
militia presented a new phase of District
affairs, but he hoped to see more and to
learn more about it, He congratulated
the men on the fine appearance of the
armory. and complimented them also
upon the full attendance of the battaIions
at the exercises.
Mr.. Siddons' Address.
Commissioner Siddons said that unlike
his colleague he had no military career
to boast of. MAS one of the rulers of the
District-as your commander will have it
i congratulate You most heartily upon
YOUR natty appearance do not know
whether that is an entirely proper nauti-
cal phrase or not in describing your fine
appearance
The Commissioner explained that Com
uander Dempf had invited the Commits
sioneTs 10 make use of the yacht and
other vessels assigned to the militia, and
declared that both he and his colleague
viii give the Dist. let naval militiamen
lots of chance To get in much practice
york.
so you can prepare he concluded. ITO
set busy on war vessels for the District
- Columbia Commissioners.
Lieut.. Guss then put the battalion
through a competitive drill in the manual
u arms While he gave the comman nds
sharply and rapidly. the men We're slow
10 fall out, and he was forced to change
his tactics. However, one BY one the
men were eliminated by the judges for
various faults until CoxsWain T. Il. Mil
Ter remained rs the winner of the drill.
toyswain James Ferguson was second.
and Electrician Felix Nolte. who won the
competitive drill last month, when Presi
dent Wilson and Secretary Daniels were
present. finished third.
Lieut.. Buist &. Getsinser then took the
battalion ~ charge and put them through
tie calistlenic exercises. ana tine view
II big men making 4 ] kinds OF motions
10 keep III trim seemed To furnish much
amusement for the audience. Fo.lowing
This, QuaTter1naster Davis directed the
battalion in semaphore signaling, while
I-IeutS. Guss and Burns and Ensign Harold
W. Crawford inspected them
Interest Manifested.
The Commissioners showed great in
terest in the naval battalion, and Com
Inander Denpf escorted them about the
building, every part OF which was in
spected When they reached the gum
room. Commissioner Newman could not
resist the temptation to fondIe the rifles.
lie picked up one and showed his col
league and Commander Dempf that he
could 80 through the manual of arms
like a veteran. The Commissioners re
manned al the armory for nearly two
hours. They We're escorted 10 the bat
talion by Ensign Sigourncy.
Following the formal ceremonies of