Evening star., 1914-11-22
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and his division officers to increase the
allowed by law-4O0 enlisted men.
Commander Dempf declared last Thurs
day night that he is particularly anx-
ious that the full strength Of the bat
talon should be reached at least three
months before the organization starts
on it's annual cruise, which probably
will be in July.
Although no orders have been issued,
or instructions received from the Navy
Department, it was said to be probable
that only men who have had at least
three months service in the militia or
ganizations will be accepted aboard
the battleships for service next year.
AS general rule. before each cruise.
especially where the organization Is
destined for a voyage to some foreign
port. such as Bermuda, where 1t went
last year. there is q grand rush Of ap-
piieants for enlistment. This makes it
difficult for the officers to take care of
the men They have to be QUILTED
with clothing. and must obtain a Ger
tam amount of preliminary training.
Enlistment two or three drill nights
just previous to the time set for the
of any preliminary training.
Commander Dempf further declared
that he wanted only the very best ma
terlal IN the local naval militia. One
he took command was to reduce the
strength of the battalion more than
% per cent by wedding out all of the
20 called wharf rats" and dead wood,
muster at that time there has grown
an efficient organization Of clean-cut
young men. He has increased the
-rensth approximately 200 per cent
ROY h I..r 4, ,t,l.
after the cleaning out process.
Only the best material is now ac-
copied in the battalion. and Com
mander Dempf says that it paid to pick
They can be depended upon to attend
drills regularly. and are capable Of
absorbing what they are taught
Last Thursday ight, before the men
nander Dempf complimented them for
the showing made the night Assista mt
Secretary Franklin d. Roosevelt of the
navy inspected them.
You had a military carriage which
could not have been surpassed by reg
ulars." declared Commander Dempf
You conducted yourselves admirably
and | want to compliment you and to
thank you for the showing you made
THE assistant secretary was greatly
pleased with the battalion as 1t was
represented when he was down here
He has not yet finished talking about
ganization in the year intervening be-
tween his two visits"
Mai. G Eugene Edwards, N. G. d. C.
retired. manager of the National Guard
Athletic Association. spoke briefly to
the men in an effort to get them in
terested in athletics. He urged them to
become members of the National Guard
Association and to take part in it's
meets. as we'll as enjoy the privileges
offered by its gymnasium.
Athletics are to play an important
part in the work of the local naval
divisions last Thursday night made
plans to organize teams of various
kinds. and 1t is probable that within
the near future the battalion will come
forth with a little basket ball league
all its own.
The men on Thursday night were en-
thusiastic about the plans for organi-
zinE the teams. In addition to the
basket ball teams. it is proposed to
organize also indoor base ball teams.
In the I'd Division an athletic asso-
citation was formed. called the Cd
Division Athletic Association. Follow
ing the speech of Maj Edwards, Chief
Ouartermaster Milton Slater assembled
the men of the second in the division
room and urged them to organize an
athletic association and to take part in
athletic events about the city as well
as to participate in the National Guard
, meets.
Chief Carpenters Mate Frank Platz
was elected president of the associa-
| tion. while Yeoman H. " Hayden was
elected secretary. Although it was
| Tuesday in order to perfect the organ
| ization, 1t was found that the armory
| would not be open then. and it
| was decided to hold the next meeting
tomorrow night. when the organization
will be completed and ways and means
| events for