Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-02-10

recommendations that the officers
and men of the United States Naval
Reserve be given an opportunity to
engage in short-range battle practice
under the same conditions as the Regu-
lar Navy will be presented to the an
nual convention of the United States
Reserve officers Association when 1t
meets here on February %, 1t was
announced by Lieut.. Comdr. Harry j.
Reserve battalion and delegate to the
convention.
He will present the instructions given
rs result of action taken last Mon
cay night at a meeting of the local
branch of the national association. 1t
was pointed out by officers of the local
Naval Reserve that the organizations
on their annual cruises have only been
permitted to fire at an improvised tar
get which does not represent the true
ability of the Reserve gun crews.
It was added that the target Is a
small one. and the Reserves are not
expected to get a direct hit. but the
dropping of the shells within certain
radius count. However, 1t was added
that If the Reservists were allowed to
use the regulation targets which have
to be towed by vessel the result of
getting direct hits would have psyche
logical effect on the crews at the guns.
However. despite this handicap. it was
pointed out that the reservists have
made creditable showing, but it is be-
lieved that they can make better
showing If they are allowed to partic-
ipate on the same ground as the reg
ulars.
The belief was further expressed by
the officers that If the regulation prac-
tnn fx-oc hnI hn
be able to better compare themselves
with the gun crews of the regular estab-
lishment, and further the data result
ing from such regulation practice would
give the Navy Department better in
formation as to the performance of the
ReserviSts under battle conditions.
The matter will be laid before the
convention, and every effort will be
made to get the support of delegates
from other Reserve units throughout
the country. It is said that many of
them believe that better results will be
obtained by the use of the regulation
targets.
The problem of compensation for
members of the Naval Reserve in
tured during any of their weekly drills
was discussed at some length by the
local chapter, and this matter will be
presented to the convention for con-
Sideration. It was said that there are
certain antiquities in the law, and
effort will be made to clear them I'D
SO that reservists injured during any
OF the drill periods may be assured of
Government pecuniary support.
The decision has been made that
feservists injured during the annual
cruises may be compensated under the
W0FkTnQf1'C cof ~ 1,Yyf
is no certainty that the reservists in
jured during drill will receive any
governmental help. 1t was pointed out
that the drill periods furnish a greater
hazard than while the men are out on
their annual cruises. Necessarily, the
drills are held at night, and there is
possibility that some of the men, being
more or less unfamiliar with a ship,
might fall down hatch during the
rush to get to their stations during an
emergency drill. As they are performing
duty for the United States and training
themselves for possible use in time of
war. it was pointed out that the
ambiguity in the law in this respect
should be cleared up promptly.
For the first time since the World
War. the local Reserve Battalion has
found 1t possible tosfecommend an en-
listed man for promotion to the rate
of chief petty officer He is Charles D.
Sheppard, enginenan, first class. who
has been strongly. recommended for
promotion to .tSk rate of chief ma
chinist's mate The local battalion has
q limitation on 49, number of men in
each rating, it was pointed out, and the
chiefs ratings are filled up with men
who served In their chiefs rates during
the war;
However, when one vacancy did occur,
1t was found shgt there were number
of worthy men in the first class ratings
who were desirable for promotion, and