Evening star., 1936-03-15
D. c.. Naval Reservists
Praised at Inspection
Representative Melvin J. Mas of Minnesota,
Comments on Thoroughness of Train
ing of Local Outfit.

nlRDly pEd6cu 1OI tLlc IldIlucI al
which they perform their duties by
Col. Melvin j. Mas, United States
Representative from Minnesota. and
an officer In the United States Marine
Corps Reserve. Col. Mas conducted
formal inspection Of the battalion
last Tuesday evening.
In an address to the battalion, SUBJ
sequent to the inspection, Col. Mas
said that he was highly elated over
the appearance Of officers and men
and with the manner in which they
performed their duties. He remarked
that 1t was a revelation to see the
thoroughness of the various drills and
battle problems and was well pleased
with the manner in which they were
conducted. He further stated that
in his opinion and that he has inspect
ed many Naval Reserve and Marine
Reserve units throughout the United
States, that the Washington battalion
was outstanding and a very we'll
trained outfit.
A great amount of interest has been
shown in a bill recently introduced
in the House Of Representatives by
Col. Mas to provide for the reorgan-
ization, administration and mainte-
nance of the United States Naval
Reserve, the United States Marine
Corps Reserve and for other purposes.
Important provisions Of this bill
include the appointment OF an As
sistant Secretary of the Navy for the
Navy and Marine Corps Reserve; the
creation in the Navy Department Of
Bureau of Naval Reserve, and the
appointment of chief Of this bureau
by the President, to be selected from
a list of officers Of the Reserve recon-
mended as suitable for appointment.
The bill also provides for the estab-
lishment of the grade and rank Of
commodore. now an obsolete rank in
the Regular Establishment. The meas
ure also would increase the number
Of enlisted men appointed each year
from the Naval Reserve to the United
States Naval Academy from Is to so.
Another important provision is that
necessary funds be appropriated an
nually for the support Of the Navy
and Marine Corps Reserve.
The measure also would authorize
the assignment Of not less than five
Naval Reserve officers and one Marine
Corps Reserve officer to the new as
sistant secretary's Office, the appoint
ment to be for four-year terms. How
ever, no maximum Is placed. The
Bureau of Naval Reserve, which would
be established by the proposed law,
would have its chief named from
among Naval Reserve officers, the Sc
lection to be made by board of seven
members, both regulars and reservists.
He would be appointed for four years
and would not be eligible to succeed
himself.
A policy board to meet annually to
study and recommend policies with
reference to the development, organi-
zation, expansion, training facilities
and all matters appertaining to the
Naval Reserve. The measure also pro-
vides for retired pay for Naval Re-
serve officers and men.
The measure also would require the
Secretary of the Navy to submit direct
to Congress each year, and report on
the Naval Reserve to include, among
other things the following:
The numerical strength by grades,
ranks, warrants, and ratings in each
of the several branches and class at
the beginning and at the end of the
fiscal year.
The number of commissioned officers
confirmed in their respective grades
and ranks in the several branches and
classes at the beginning and at the end
of the fiscal year.
The number Of commissioned and
warrant officers and enlisted men
qualified in their respective grades,
ranks. warrants and ratings In the
several branches and classes at the
beginning and end of each fiscal year.
The number of commissioned and
warrant officers and enlisted men
holding provisional appointments in
their respective grades, ranks, war
rants and ratings in the several
branches and classes at the beginning
and at the end of the fiscal year.
All separations from the United
States Naval Reserve and the United
States Marine Corps Reserve during
the preceding fiscal year, whether
voluntary and involuntary, and, If
voluntary, the reason therefor, and
by branches, classes, grades, warrants
and ratings.
The cost of the United States Naval
Reserve and the United States Marine
Corps Reserve during the preceding
fiscal year with appropriate detail
thereof.
Recommendations for continued
progressive development and expansion
of the United States Naval Reserve
and Marine Corps Reserve with the
scope Of the act by years for period
of 10 years. together with the esti-
mated cost thereof in detail.
That the matter Of Naval Reserve
policies were discussed with the Presi-
dent of the United States by Rear
Admiral Adolphus Andrews, chief Of
the Bureau of Navigation of the Navy
Department, last Summer, was dis
closed by the admiral in the course
of testimony, which he gave to a
subcommittee of the House Naval
Affairs Committee, which is studying
the question of reorganization Of the
Reserve. The President subsequently
had another conference with the
Secretary of the Navy. and with GER
tain other officers, at which conference
the President was said to have ex-
pressed his views regarding the build
ing up Of the Naval Reserve.
"The present general naval policy
pertaining to the Naval Reserve" !"
Admiral Andrews testified, "was dis
cussed at this time. AS you know,
this policy was enunciated by the
General Board after a study Of this
subject in 1882. This study was based
on the premise that the combined
strength of the present officer and en-