Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-03-08

Trained and drilled under an inten--
sive program for the last several
months, the 1st Battalion, United
| States Naval Reserves Of the District
| of Columbia, under the command OF
! Lieut.. Samu,l w. StinemetZ, tomorrow
night will pass through its annual IN
spection before a board of Regular
| naval officers detailed by the Navy De-
partment here. Drilling and prepare
ton was kept on right up to the last
| minute, for a special drill was h2ld
Thursday night.
That the men were as keenly inter-
ested in making a showing as any one
was indicated by the large attendance
at this final assembly prior to thu in
spection. This assembly was purely
| voluntary, the men attending without
| their usual drill pay the Navy Depart
ment some weeks ago having directed
the suspension of tn sc special drills as
a part of the economy wave now sweep
ing through Government circles.
While every effort has been made to
so perfect the organization as to reach
the top notch among the list OF naval
Reserve battalions and divisions
throughout the country, it was pointed
out that the organization has been ma
terially Handicapped in its training
during the past year through the alb
sence of facilities. The training ship
was removed last Fall and will not be
replaced, except by occasional visits
from a destroyer assigned to this area
for all of the Reserve units.
The sp-cial equipment pls ced in the
armory to take thu place of that uSu-
ally found on shjpbcard did not arrive
until a few weeks ago, and more time
was required to put it in place. AS a
matter of fact, the men have had only
few days training with this since 1t
was installed, limited as they are now
to only one drill each week. Further
il was added, the inspection was set for
an earlier date this year than ever be-
fore and the organization has not had
the training time 1t has had in pre-
; vious years Nevertheless, there has
not BEEN any complaint on mis- scor',
the officers and men going ah'ad with
!! their work and merely making the best
of an unfortunate situation which con-
fronted them.
The battalion turned out the largest
attendance In its history last Monday
night, according to Lieut. Stinemetz
There were 1853 men present out Of 172
on the rolls. In this connection, 1t
was pointed out that the organization
Is nearly up to its strength allowance
OF ITS men.
With such a large number Of men
present in formation, the fact was i'm
pressed more than ever upon the off,
GERS, 1t was said, that the present ar
mory is much too small for efficient
training purposes. The building used
as an armory is on the Eleventh street
side of the Washington Navy Yard and
prior to its acquisition by the Navy was
used for commercial purposes. The
drill hall is nothing more than Lean
to, which was constructed during. the
war. When the entire battalion is
formed on the floor of the drill hall,
there is not room for any kind of ma
neuvers. This fact undoubtedly will
impress itself upon the members OF the
inspection board while putting the or
carnations through its annual tests.
It was said to be the hope Of officers
of the local battalion that they will
be able to get the destroyer Hamilton
assigned here during next Fall and in
the Spring. Such a recommendation,
1t was indicated, will be placed with
the inspection board while it is here.
The vessel now Is said to be engaged
in experimental duty in the vicinity Of
Norfolk, and probably will not be avail