The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1915-01-12
PROTEST TO Mr.. DANIELS
Captain Bradham Alleges Mr..
Yelverton Did Men an Injus-
ticei Tar Heels Claim Poor
Treatment On Cruise, Yet
Made Best Record in Target
Practice
Especial to The News and Observer.}

Especial to The News and Ohserver.>
New Bern, Jan. s.-Feeling that
r. nave been ~unjustly treated, that
a report that is false in its meaning
and which will do them in~calculable
damage has been circulated and deny
ing the assertions in every detail,
the officers and men Of the North
Carolina Naval Militia are preparing
to send a written protest to Secretary
OF The Navy, Josephus Daniels,
against an article appearing in Fri
days issue of the Raleigh News and
Observer w. E. yell
| verton, the WASHINGTON representa-
tive of tl-at paper.
The report in question rips up
the North Carolina Naval Militia for
alleged incompentency and inability
to do their duties while on board of
the Z. S. S. Rhode Island during a
cruise made during the summer
months. The report in question is
from extracts of a report made by
Captain C. S. Williams, commander
of the Rhode Island, but only in part
is it given and the full report shows
that the North Carolina men made
the Best Records Of any Of the eight
divisions on board.
Captain G. D. Bradham, command
er Of the North Carolina Naval Mill
tia, gave out an interview last night
which throws a different light on the
subject. In the first place Captain
Bradham declares that there were
entirely too many on board OF the
Rhode Island, there being eleven
hundred when there should have
been only eigh hundred and that it
was impossible at time to find men.
At times, he said, they were "as thick
as flies n there was great discom-
not given enough water to drink,
were not supplied with proper Sleep
ing quarters and that the North Car
DINA Division got the worst end Of
all Of the many hardships, yet they
made the best record Of any Of the
other divisions.
q In his report on the cruise and in
reference to the North Carolina Di-
vision Captain Williams said: This
D organization displayed great interest
q in gunnery and made the best score
a on target practice. The commanding
officer is able and energetic. The
gunnery officer is a retired Officer
Of the Navy and is highly efficient
a Williams Gave Compliment.
n Commander Bradham ays that
Captain Williams on several OCcaS-
ions spoke to him in very compli.
m~entary terms OF his division. HI
admits that the men were not thor
oughly familiar with the work on {
battleship but it must be remembered
that this was the first time that som
p. OI li1eiI 1ldU ever seen a DdItleS01p
- Mr.. Ielverton in his article sait
that the North Carolina men looked
on the cruise more as a pleasur,
trip" said Mr.. Bradham. LAS
matter of fact the North Carolina di
vision did more work on the Rhod'
Island than any other division. Tn
main thing that we went on boart
of the Rhode Island for was the tar
" get practice and in this we excelle.
over every other division and it is nat
ural that both the officers and mel
al feel that they AVE been placed il
TT a light which is most unfair and on
to which must be corrected.
IN Gunners Highly Praised.
re In his report of the cruise, Captai
20 W. r. Van Auken. n Of the rankin
officers on board Of the ship say
lr Of the North Carolina Division: 9TH
at officers and men had a fightin
oy spirit. The majority are accustome
SIS to rifle shooting, and their trainin
ne brought them to a high degree c
TO shooting efficiency. Added to thi
81 their fire control officer and spotte.
Ensign V~anderhoof, United State
at rience, spirit n slendid judgmen
ID He arranged his system and drille
"a assidiously at f~ire-conrtol and ia,
get practice ~rehearsals. The combir
n ed work Of North Carolina in a
phases Of preparation for and durin
co the cruise was most excellent an
ga reflects great credit upon Ensig
lis Nanderhoof as an ordinance off
GER"
u Captain Van Auken is one of II
he most thoroughly effirieot mon in ~
he Navy and the North Carolina men {
OF not believe that he would have repor
es- cd aught but his true convictions
this matter.
Tar Heels Radly Treated
he The members of the North Carol,
!. division. as q matter OF fact. had