Evening capital and Maryland gazette. (Annapolis, Md.) 1910-1922, 1917-09-14

dignified, impressive and interesting
as those which have marked the grad
uation of classes of Midshipmen for
many years, class of nearly two hun
dred men from practically every State
in the country, and representing all
lines of business and professional en-
deayor, today were presented with
certificates of graduation, and stimuli
taneously awarded temporary COM
missions as full-fledged Ensigns in
the United States Navy.
And thereby a substantial addition
was made to the commissioned person
mel of the service, to help meet the
growing need of officers to man the
new ships in course of building, as
provided for by Congress in the pro-
gram for new and greater navy, in
cident to the war conditions.
These new officers had been, for
nearly, three months. undergoing a
course of intensive training in mod
ern naval tactics and other practical
work, with the ranking officers on
duty at the Naval Academy as their
tutors, and their fitness for active
service has been attested by these in
structors, as a result of series of
examinations to which they were re-
Gently subjected.
Washington Dignitaries Here.
Secretary of the Navy Daniels was
here for the graduation event, and de-
livered the principal address, and so
was Read-Admiral Leigh c. Palmer,
Chief of the Bureau of Navigation, who
has general supervision over naval
affairs. Other dignitaries present in.
cluded William G. McAdoo, Secretary
of the Treasury, and David f. Hous-
ton, Secretary of Agriculture, both of
whom have sons among the roll of
graduates. And there were other peo-
pie of prominence present, though the
audience was not very large, owing to
the admission being limited TO rela-
tives and friends or others who were
favored with special permission, be-
cause of the war restrictions being
enforced at this and all naval sta
tions.
-
held in the memorial room of Bancroft
Hall, and were opened with musi-
cal selection by an orchestra of the
Academy band, led by Prof Adolf
Torovsky Then the invocation prayer
was offered by Rev. Sydney X. Evans.
Chaplain of the Academy.
Captain Edward W. Eberle. Super
intendent. presided and delivered an
address prior to introducing Secre-
tary Daniels. Both of the speakers
were given a tremendous ovation by
the graduating officers, and each was
compelled to respond with bows to
the prolonged applause.
Urge Loyalty To Duty.
Loyalty to duty and the grave con-
ditfons with which the country is now
confronted. breathed through the re-
marks of Secretary Daniels and Su-
perintendent Eberle Upon the con-
clusion of the address of the Naval
Secretary, the certificates were then
presented to the graduates. These
signified the completion of the course
of special training for naval service
| The brief documents were presented
by Secretary Daniels after beinf
handed to him by Superintendent
| Eberle
Following the ceremonies the mem
bers of the official party repaired Il
the quarters of Captain Eberle, wher'
they were entertained at a ligh
luncheon prior to returning to Wash
ington in the private automobile o
Secretary Daniels, they having made
the trip by this means of conveyance
rather than coming over the electric
line.
Last night, as a farewell, the offi
GERS held banquet in Bancroft Hall
Superintendent Eberle and the othel
ranking officers of the Academy wer'
among those present, and a number
of toasts were resopnded to.
Captain Eberle's Speech.
Addressing the young officers. Cap
tain Eberle said:
Mr Secretary and our Friends