Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-06-12
ADM. A. |. WILLARD
!. LEAVES NAVY YARD
Employees Pay Tribute to Him
in Address by w. H.
Smoot.

With more than 5000 employees of
the Navy Yard looking on, Rear
Admiral Arthur l.. Willard today re-
linquished command of the Navy Yard
to become the vice admiral in charge
of the scouting fleet of the Navy.
Capt. Claude G. Bloch, until recently
on duty at the Naval War College in
Newport, r. l., was placed in command
of the yard duriny the colorful cere-
monies. Details of sailors and Marines
attired in full dress uniform and the
members of the retiring admirals staff
William H Smoot. president of the
Columbia Lodge of Machinists, speaking
In behalf of the employees. paid
tribute to Admiral Willard and pre-
scented him with an engrossed resolution
congratulating him on his promotion.
Due to Rear Admiral Wizards fore
sight, initiative and wise recommended
tions, the Navy Department has so
greatly increased the facilities of the
Washington navy yard and gun fac
tory Smoot declared, that we have
now one of the finest and best equipped
gun factories in the world"
The speaker added that during the
many years of service at the navy yard
by Admiral Willard he had endeared
himself to the entire personnel
Responding, Admiral Willard said the
navy yard and naval gun factory had
been the most cherished of all his sta
tions of duty on shore.
For long period of years" he said
sat varying intervals, it has been my
home as we'll as duty's station 1t was
about 30 years ago that 1 began my
first period of service here asa young
lieutenant. and since that time it has
been my privilege to have had various
assignments in this Navy Yard and
gun factory, covering total period of
about IA years"
Navy Band Plays.
Admiral Willard lauded the yard per-
sonnet and also commended Robert H.
Alcorn, a former employee of the Navy
Yard, for his work as chairman of the
joint conference on Civil Service retire
ment legislation.
A salute of 10 guns was fired in hon.
or of Admiral Willard as his flag was
hauled down from the flagpole of the
commandments office building.
Aud Lang Syne," Anchors Aweigh"
and other selections were rendered by
the Navy Band.
The changing regime at the Wash
ington Navy Yard was marked yester-
day by the departure of the well be-
loved Capt. willis Mcdowell as captain
of the yard, who left for his home at
Sharon, Pa, where he will be until
| September l, when he is to be placed
on the retired list at his own request,
following 80 years service.
A brief ceremony was held yesterday
morning in the Office of the captain of
the yard, with high-ranking naval off,
GERS, led by the retiring commandant,
Rear Admiral Arthur L. Willard and
leading civilians joining in bidding
Capt. Mcdowell farewell. W. H. Smoot,
president of the Columbia Lodge of
MachiniSts, acting as chairman of
committee representing all the Navy
Yard employees, read resolutions adopt
ed by q special workers committee
lauding Capt. Mcdowell for his work
while captain of the yard and setting
forth the high esteem in which he was
held.
Brief Ceremony Held.
Every trade and department Of the
yard was represented at the brief cere-
mony. following which Capt. Mcdowell
in few words thanked his audience for
the good wishes expressed. Then the
officers and workmen filed by and shook
his hand, bidding him Godspeed
Capt. Mcdowell left the Navy Yard
shortly after noon to travel by auto
mobile to Sharon, Pa. He has been on
duty at the local yard for about three
years, and during that time has endear-
ed himself to the officers, enlisted men
and workers. AS senior member of the
wage board he came to know many of
the workmen personally and took a
keen interest in their welfare. He was
public works officer, assistant superin-
tendent of the naval gun factory at the
yard and was senior member of the Ia
Dor board In addition, Capt. Mcdowell
| was president of the special general
court-martial that tried officers.
The successor of Capt. Mcdowell
Capt. Frank D. Berrien, now command
| ing officer of the u. S. S. Lexington,
will report for duty as captain of the
yard about July 5. In the interim
Capt. P. w. Foote will be captain of
Aln nr.I