New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-06-07

More than 4.200 citizens have enrolled as
rcmbers of the Naval Reserve IN the Ihiri
Naval District. which reaches from New Lon
don 10 Barnegat. Many weeks ago Assistant
Secretary OF the Navy Franklin D. Roosevelt
told the yachtsmen and others that the Navy
Department needed 500 to 1000 boats for the
coast patrol and 10000 men to man them IN
this district. Nearly one-half of the numoer
asked for has been obtained, but these men
can do nothing for several reasons. FIRST
there arc only a few boats ready. Others
will be ready later in the year Then If they
had the boats there are no guns to arm them
with. Even If there were boats and guns
they would be of little use, because this
army Of more than 1000 men has had no
training.
To train such force costs money and. as
che naval officer put it recently. Secretary
Daniels does not like TO spend money. He
IS waiting until some generous citizen will
offer a camp site Then he will look for some
railroad to offer free transportation, and ii
others will cothe and feed the men he will
feel that he has accomplished great deal
As the men enroll in the Naval Coast
Defence Reserve they are told that when
wanted they will be sent for. Some of those
enrolled have been given rank and are to
command the boats Others are to handle
the engines. Others will be signal men or
cunners or cooks but who are to fill these
pcsitions no one knows and no one can find
out until some effort is made TO determine
what sort of work a man is best fitted for.
The Naval Training Association has
worked hard 20 attract men to this branch
Of the service and yachtsmen, fishermen and
others have been induced to serve. Some
Of the men enrolled have never been to sea
nor have they had any experience in boat
OF any kind Without some training they
will be Of little or no use, and realizing this
some Of the naval officers have tried to get
the department 90 arrange a camp where
tbcv could learn somewhat Of the work they
will have 10 do, but their efforts have been
Of no avail
Daniels Killed Camp
II was suggested that a camp should be
made somewhere on the waterfront of New
York harbor and a large piece OF ground
was found just suited for the purpose
There was plenty Of room for drilling and
training. shore front with long ranges for
the guns and a fine big house which could
be used as headquarters. The owner OF the
property was willing TO let the navy use 1t
at a fair rental, and Rear Admiral Usher
reported to Washington urging that this
rlan or some similar one be adopted to train
the enrolled men, Admiral Usher was, how
ever. compelled to abandon the plan, because
the Secretary Of the Navy was opposed TO
tho expenditure of money for such a pur-
5osc. The Secretary thought the cost would
be too great.
So now there are three small gatherings
of the coast defence men-l00 in the armory
Of the Second Naval Battalion, South Brook
iyn. where Lieutenant A. +. Potter is show
ing them how TO handle a gasolene engine;
another hundred men at Bensonhurst, where
they are learning to signal, and another at
New Haven, the cost of which is being paid
~ patriotic citizens.
So far about $50 yachts have beer made
patrol scouts The highest number on the list
each ore is numbered now, not named
1873. Some Of these are yachts that nave
been strengthened to enable them to mount
Guns. while others are power boats that
were built within the last two years spe-
ciallv for such work All have been painted
the battleship gray, and some of these boats
are doing scout work somewhere off the
coast between Passport, Ne, and Key West
They have no guns, although they are to
mount guns varying in calibre according to
their size and strength from l-pounders