Evening star., 1933-01-01

While the members of the 1st Bat
talon, United States Naval Reserves OF
the District of Columbia, are on vaca-
ton during this period, they are pre-
pairing to resume their drills next week.
Despite the fact that they were de-
MED the right to have their training
aboard ship this year on account OF
the need for governmental economy,
nevertheless, they have been kept un-
der strenuous drill routine at the
armory here under the direction OF
Lieut.. Harold E. Richardson, command
ing officer of the organization.
They have passed through their an
nual inspection earlier this year than
usual, and as result Of the active drill
routine that has been maintained, both
officers and men are hopeful that they
will be given higher rating this year
than heretofore. There Is also the hope
that they might win one or both of the
trophies awarded each year for the
battalion and division, respectively,
which stands highest in the markings
of the inspection board, which is COM
posed of regular naval officers.
In the absence Of the training cruises
during the year, the officers and men
of the local battalion have shown their
initiative by erecting and using in the
armory many fittings similating equip
ment aboard ship. A bridge has been
constructed, a drill gun erected, and
fire control communication systems in
stalled, so that the members Of the
battalion can work out a simple battle
problem to make up for the loss OF
training aboard ship. Under the direc-
tion of the chief engineer Of the bat
talon, Lieut.. Walter G. Lockhart, there
has been installed complete machine
shop, so that the members Of the en-
gineering ratings can be taught to make
repairs in the same manner they would
be required to do while aboard ship at
sea.
With this equipment, the officers and
men have been able to make the most
of their makeshift armory, which is an
old store building acquired as part
of the Navy Yard during the war.
Their drill hall Is nothing more than
a lean-to constructed alongside the
brick building, and 1t is not large
enough to drill the whole battalion In
infantry.
Tentative plans have been drawn, 1t
Is understood, for building with
special equipment for the training Of
the Reserve, and the hope is to obtain
site somewhere along the water front,
81 OIldG II THRILLING snip - again
assigned here it will be close to the
other activities of the Reserve.
Under the present system, when one
of the active fleet deStroyerS Is sent
here for periods for training purposes,
the organizations lose so much time in
going to and from the vessel. This Is
important as the drill period each week
Is very short.
The organization is looking forward
to having an armory similar TO the one
which Is used for awhile and which Is
located ON the Washington Channel.
This building was constructed for the
local naval militia when that organiza-
ton was part Of the National Guard.
Subsequent to the World War, when
the local Reserve was organized the
building was loaned for drill purposes
of the reserve, but when the units Of
the National Guard were increased the
permit for the use of this armory was
revoked, and the building turned over
to the Coast Artillery.
1t has a dock alongside, to which
the training ships formerly assigned
here were tied up. Whether the Navy
Department will in the future assign
a training ship permanently here Is
uncertain However, If this is not done,
1t is probable that ships Of the active
fleet will be sent here from time to
time for the use ON drill nights for
training purposes.
Large ships, according to the officers
here, are principally valuable for their
use in the weekly drills, and not for
week end cruises. 1t was pointed out
that during the Summer months it is
difficult to get enough officers and men
to apply for week end cruises so that
the vessel can be handled properly.
However, the men do obtain real value
out Of the small launch which has been
assigned here and which is to be re-
placed later by larger one.
The chief Of the Bureau of Naviga-
tion of the Navy Department. In his
annual report, said increased interest
on the part Of students at the educa-