Evening star., 1914-03-16
TOMAKE MILITIA
REAL NAVAL FORCE
Commander Bassett Explains
Terms of Law Recently
Passed by Congress.
THREE YEARS ALLOWED TO
EFFECT REORGANIZATION
Examination of Officers and In
spection of Commands Among
the Requisites.

Naval militia officers from various
parts of the country were in attend
ance when the annual convention of
the Naval Militia Association of the
United States was convened this morn
ing in the cabinet room of the New
Willard. Much of the discussion was
devoted to the provisions of the naval
militia act which was passed by Con-
gress last month and to the question
Sf an early compliance of the naval
militia organizations with its pro-
visions.
Commander Bassett, in charge of the
Division of militia affairs OF the Navy
Department, took UP the act section by
section, and gave to the naval militia
officers a comprehensive talk on its pro-
Visions, pointing out the aims OF the
Navy Department in enforcing its provi-
slons. He indicated that the department
was not inclined to be hasty, as the law
allows three years in which naval militia
Organizations may conform to its re-
puirements. The question of organization
of the various divisions of each organiza-
rion and the matter of professional re-
Uuirements for officers were debated at
some length.
: The report of the president of the as
location outlined the increased strength
OF the naval militia throughout the coun-
cry during the past year, explained tne
efforts of the association TO nave passed
1he law which was enacted last month
and praised Commander Bassett Tor MS
efforts in having 1t acted upon at this
session of Congress.
Ready to Distribute Supplies.
; Commander Bassett in his talk ex-
,plained that the department. in view OF
THE recent decision OF the controller al
lowing $4,000 for expenditure on the
naval militia before July /, would be very
glad to receive requests for such supplies
as are necessary. The unit of organiza-
lions Of the naval militia will be outlined
'bv the department in the near future. he
said. At this point he declared that the
department has no idea of disruptinS
any organization by seeking to have It
comply with an oTganlzauon te, Wnlch II
would be impossible for 1t TO conform
He explained that some of the organl-
zations did not have enough equipment,
but that with the passage OF the naval
militia act the department could now go
ahead and distribute arms and equipment
now stored in the New York navy yard.
declaring that many of the deficiencies
WIN be supplied before July l.
: The states, pointed OUT Commanoer noe,
Bassett can carry as many men as they
want In their organizations, but unless
they conform to the requirements iaid
dovn BY the Secretary of the Navy they
WIN not be called into service IN time OF
Way.
Need Of Inspection.
; m order to participate in the cruises
md distribution of funds allowed by the
fsdsral government It will be necessary
for the Navy Department to institute at
Dnce inspections Of the various organiSa-
tions in the opinion Of Commander Bas-
sett.
5 fhis brought up the question OF assign
ing Observation-Disclosures to TIE various
or9anizattons He pointed out that the
experience heretofore has been that some
ORGANIZATIONS wanted to be Inspected wnlie
.others did not In view OF the past eN-
periences, he expressed belief that the re,
nuest for observation-disclosures should
come from the organizations. 1T Is
crying need of the naval militia. ne sara.
Some j am sure, need inspection naaiy.
4 plan of instruction and inspection
has been drawn, using oflcers OF tne
regular service doing duty near the or
5ganizations. This could be easily &c.
complished," he continued, in view OF
the fact that most of the militia or
7eanizations do their work at night
In an effort to upbuild the naval
militia commissioned personnel profess
sionally. Commander Basset further
said that the department had arranged
n comprehensive library of professional
books for the use Of naval militia Of
Ulcers.
Accompanying each set Of books. which
is soon to be issued by the department.
will be a syllabus outlining q systematic
course of study through the various
works of which this library is made up.
Prhis, he believed, would I'LL long-felt
need.
To Name General Board.
He informed the association that the
Secretary of the Navy soon would an
znounce the names OF the members OF
ethe general board Of naval militia Of
ficers. a sort Of semi-official board. which
is to consult with the department on
various matters bearing on the naval
MALTA. This board is to be composed
of four officers.
Tho value of competition IN getting I'M
proved conditions In the navy was talked
of BY Commander Bassett. and he ex-
work out some sort Of plan for competi-
the line Of gunneEy.
On the question OF examinations he said
that e would not be expected OF naval
militia oficer that he pass examinations
StfnHAY % 1hOBe IN tne regular service.
Fer instance. he said. a man coming up
for ensign IN the naval militia could not
be expected to pass an examination equal
TO that passed by q graduate Of the Naval
Academy.
The association went on record as fa-
voF1ng Q divisional organization with a
minimum Of forty enlisted men. setting
no maximum At the same time it left
tho makter OF limiting the number of
petty ofncsrs 20 the Navy Department,
urg1ng that department In setting the
number bear In mind the conditions Of a
naval militia
Examination Of Officers.
The principal discussion was provoked
when the question Of examinations for
officers came up Tho examinations out
lined In the reports Of the two com
nittees Of Congress on the naval militia
bill were suggested as standard.
Many Of the officers present pointed
out in the discussion that present
naval militia officers taking these
examinations IN order to comply with the
new federal law should be permitted to
take them piecemeal. to require them TO
be taken all at once would be a hardship
il was said. Commander Bassett seemed
to favor this plan, allowing three years
for the officers to take all of the exami-
nations.
The convention VIII conclude tonigh,
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