Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-07-05

equipped several weeks ago and enough
reserve to provide for a . per cent in
crease. But the increase has been great
er. and. although the acquisitions were
in. clothes could not be obtained fast
enough.
The busiest place inside the armory
last Thursday night was the storeroom
of Paymaster Johns, who, with Chief
Woman Cooksie. was kept busy from
long before 8 o'clock until after mid
night issuing clothing and hammocks
to the men. and he stopped only when
the supply gave out.
From the crowd of men who en-
deavored to enlist Thursday night,
Commander Joseph A. Dempf. command
ing the local naval militia, picked only
what he considered the best There
steadfastly refused to have in the bat
talon since he has been in command.
His policy has been to enlist only the
best type of young men in the city, he
says.
There were more than thirty enlist
ments last Thursday night men picked
from the crowd outside of the armory,
and all Of whom had seen some service.
though he has been enlisting men. in
formed those who had not seen service
either in the regular navy or the
militia that they would not be permit
not been sufficiently trained.
The medical staff of the battalion also
was kept busy at the drill examining
Sarious applicants for enlistment.
law Lieut.. F. H. Morhart. surgeon of
the battalion. has insisted upon appli-
cants being in the best of condition
physically. and although it is necessary
to turn down some desirable men
through the stringent physical examina-
ton. 1t is declared that now the regu-
lar service standard must be followed
Men who have a weak point. while able
he dril
clses, probably would fail at the critical
moment during battle. it is pointed out
DR.. Morhart was assisted by his staff,
composed Of DR.. Tibbetts and DR.. COP.
ping
Piled high in the drill hall floor now
are the several hundred hammocks
which the jackies will sleep in while
sleep while the ship rolls over the
waves. The greater number of the men
VIII have their first experience aboard
one of Uncle Sans big fighting ma
chines during the coming cruise, and
will have their first chance to get their
sea legs.
According to plans already made the
battalion will leave the armory at $50
to. the Norfolk and Washington dock,
where the men will be given a brief
period to say goodbye to their friends
who might be standing around to see
they will board the ship.
When the Jackies board the Rhode
Island early Monday morning they
VIII Immediately be assigned their sta
lions ion for the cruise. and the ship then
Will go to Lewes. Del. to pick up the
nava! militiamen from Camden. n. J..
ana Philadelphia, and then the vessel
Will proceed to the Bermuda Islands
Where there will be two or three days
shore liberty. Later they will return to
I aneler sound in the lower Chesapeake
bay for target practice There is much
discussion among the members of the
gun crews OF the local Naval Bat
talon about the firing.
Each gun crew is anxious to win the
gunnery trophy for the naval militia
the letter e on the arm for excel.
!ency in gunnery. The firing will be
done with the secondary battery of
four-lnch guns aboard the Rhode Is
land, and the local naval militiamen
promise they will pump the target full
Of holes. On the Alabama last year
one Of the gun pointers of the local
naval militia made seven hits out of
seven.
of the local naval militia for
the cruise on the Rhode Island will be
he Sd. commanded by Junior Lieut.
Frank W: Sigourney. It is the young
,se ulViSlon IN the battalion. Lieut..
sigourney declared Thursday night tina t
ne contemplated taking seventy-fve
men. whereas last year the whole bat
alton took only about hundred. This
s considered a record.
This division was organized last Feb
uary and has made rapid strides dur |
ng the six months it has been in ex-
stence. The men have put their |
houlders to the wheel and have done |
to build up the division. i
10Th in numerical strength and in naval !
Efficiency. 1t is the only division which |
coasts of a race boat crew. and it won |
he SIS offered by Commander Dempf |
or the division which reported the |
argest number of enlistments during
he three months ended June Is last