Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-07-05

the United STATES who are injured In
line Of duty or who die as q result
thereof, according to the Navy Depart
ment. The United States Employees
Compensation Commission here has
jurisdiction Of such cases and awards
compensation to those entitled thereto
upon submission Of reports covering the
injuries by the commanding officer of
the oflcer or man concerned. It was
pointed out, however, that sickness or
disease Is not regarded as an injury
within the meaning Of the law. Mem
bers OF the Naval Reserve injured may
receive disqualification and treatment
under the jurisdiction Of the commits
sion.
It was added, however, that members
Of classes Fac, Esd, Fad and F5, those
men transferred to the Reserve after
Is or 20 years service in the Regular
establishment. are not entitled to the
benefits Of compensation or treatment
under the jurisdiction Of the Compen-
sation Commission, since they are en-
titled to disqualification and treatment
at naval hospitals or as veterans under
the United States Veterans Bureau.
The percentage Of officers of the
Naval Reserve who fail to pass profess
sional examinations for promotion is
growing less each year, according to the
Bureau Of Navigation Of the Navy De-
partment, which also points out that
oincers are applying for and taking
ficers Of the feet and volunteer
branches Of the Reserve, General Serv-
ice, are required to establish their pro-
fessional fitness for promotion by writ
ten examination, and these tests are
conducted by the Naval Examining
Board and are approximately the scope
as for officers Of the Regular Service.
The dual status Of some Naval Re-
serve organizations caused by the fact
that the members also are members Of
the Naval Militia organizations of the
State Is q matter which Is being given
some study by the Navy Department.
The situation has been brought about
largely by the failure Of the Federal
Government to provide armories and
certain other facilities at the home sta
lions OF the various Reserve organiza-
lions.
Discussing the question recently.
Capt Hugo w. Osterhaus, head Of the
Naval Reserve Division, said that 1t is
well known that certain States have
done much for the Naval Reserve. The
appropriations which have been made
by States for armories, ETC., and from
which the Naval Reserves have bene-
fitted have been due largely to the in
terest Of the Naval Militia Naval Re-
States.
On the other hand, he pointed out.
the Naval Militia has been aided by
the Federal Government through its
appropriations, by the active duty pay
to ReservistS who are likewise in the
Militia and by pay for attendance at
drills. SO both the Federal Govern
ment and the States have mutually
benefited each by the others expendi-
lures.
He added that the Naval Militias of
some Of the States take q rather Diff
ferent view Of the obligation Of the
Federal Government to the States.
Some would advocate returning to the
old Naval Militia system. The least
that could be expected from those har-
boring this line Of thought, he con.
tinued, would be dual control Of the
Naval Reserve by the Federal and
State authorities.
The fact, however, Is, he said, under
the provisions of the Naval Reserve
law the Naval Reserve alone, as now
organized, Is designed to furnish the
additional personnel required by the
Navy for mobilization purposes. Naval
Militia organizations are maintained
for State purposes, and it is not for
CIIc ccuCId 1OVcIIlHlcut, ne COIlJluueU,
to question the wisdom Of the various
institutions set up by any sovereign
State within its legal rights. If the
States choose to provide armory facili-
ties for the use Of their Naval Militias,
the Navy Department Is happy to have
those facilities made available to the
Naval Reserve and in exchange there
for to make the accouterments fur
nished the Naval Reserve organizations
also available for the use of the Naval
Militia. He said that the quantity and
quality Of armory facilities furnished
are quite ouside the Jurisdiction of the
Federal Government, and the costs
therefor are generally even outside its
knowledge.
It Is conceded, he continued, that the
States should have control over the
moneys expended by them and to have
say in the selection Of those who
are to make the expenditures. Ger
tainly the Navy Department has no
control over these expenditures or the
selecting Of Militia officers. He point
ed out that 1t Is reSrettahle that the
Federal Government does not appro-
pirate suficient money to cover the ex-
pense Of armories and other activities
to properly carry on Naval Reserve
work without the assistance Of the
States, and added that the question
would never have arisen had the Fed
eral Government never accepted State
help.