Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-02-15
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1ar as II is possible to do so with a ma
val militia, the plans outlined by Secre-
tarE Daniels for the men of the regular
navE-that is. making it an educational
INSTITUTION Now that the reorganization
which the battalion has been ,Indergoins
since Commander Dempf took charge is
| practically completed he is beginning to
turn his attention to the establishment of
framing schools for the enlisted men and
TO educate them III various matters which
will be 'seful to them should they be
called upon to defend their countr, in
time of wal as Well as being useful in
civil life
Comander Dempf is outlining plans for
schooi where men OF the Naval Batta-
non may become efficient wireless oper-
ators Some time during the week Com
mander Dempf will have delivered at the
battalion armory wireless set He said
! last Thursday night that he would have
ii installed on the L. s. s. Sylvia. the
| naval militia yacht. which is temporarily
assigned to the local naval militia, and
! would have the station located. in the for
ward part of the vessel. Immediate steps
VIII be taken to pick out Young men in
the battalion who are DESTROYS of learn
ing all about the wireless. both theoretic
ally and practically. Although the in
structor in wireless has not been Sc
| lected. it is probable that Chief Radio
Electrician Sparrow will be called upon to
take charge OF the wireless school. Spar
row is an efficient wireless operator. and
While the Naval Battalion was on its an
nual cruise on the battleship Alabama
last summer Sparrow stood a regular
Watci. at the wireless Instrument
With the wireless on board. the Sylvia
on It's cruises down the river could keep
III constant touch with the Arlington
radio station and the wireless station
maintained AT the Washington navy
YARD. In this way those who are select
ed to attend the wireless school could get
much practical training in the working
of the wireless under all conditions.
Whlle Commander Dempf is engaged ill
the work of establishing schools in his
organization he probably will establish a
! crews efficient it will be necessary for
him to have placed at the armory a
three-pounder rifle. with a dotting ap-
| pafatus, which is an attachment furnish
ed with the gun With the aid of this
apparatus the men may become very
proficient in aiming. d card attachment
/ showing Just where they would have
hit had service charges been used.
! This is necessary part of the equip
| ment of the Naval Militia organ!zat ton, it
was declared at the division of militia
affairs OF the Navy Department last
week. Mess the gun crews of the
Naval Militia organizations have had
some training with guns in their armor-
! les it is said they would not be allowed
| to use the guns on the battlships. To
allow them to use the guns on the ships
| with service ammunition would be a
waste of the powder and she'll it was
| pointed out. But when they have had
| training with the guns In their arInories
! in addition to having become thoroughly
i familiar with the apparatus, they become
| expert pointers and it isn't many times
| they miss their mark. Al least it is de-
clared, this has been the experience.
The schools of signaling are we'll I'M
der way. and q large number of the re-
cruits have become students under Chief
QuartermasterS Davis and Slater
To insure himself that the right men
are i'll the right place Commander Dcmpf
is preparing to hold examinations for all
classes of petty offices below the grade
OF first class. With the schools under
way and with bright Young men who
der Dempf says he would not think of
"a petty officer holding his rating unless
he is thoroughly qualified. If there are
new men who have taken every advan-
tage of their instruction in the schools
and are efficient and can pass the eX-
;4ninationS. while others who have their
ratings and are disqualified Commander
Dempf will Insist that they change places
Efficiency" he declared. will be the
word uppermost in. the Naval Battalion
from now on. An efficiency mark will
be set for each grade Of enlisted men
and unless the sailormen are able to
reach ard maintain themselves MP TO the
standard set they will have to step aside
in order to make way for the Younger
more efficient.
Another policy also has been outlined