Evening star., 1937-06-03
319 M|DSH|PMEN
RECEIVE DIPLOMAS
289 Given Commissions as
Throngs Cheer at
Graduation.
Ey tie Associated Press.

ANNAPOLIS, June 3.-Three hun
dred and nineteen midshipmen re-
ceived their diplomas and the degree
of bachelor of science today before a
cheering throng of undergraduates,
parents, friends and sweethearts, as
sembled in the huge Naval Academy
Armory.
Immediately following the cere-
monies, 263 members of the class were
commissioned ensigns in the line Of
the Navy, while Is became second
leutenants in the Marine Corps.
Four of the graduates were per-
mitted to resign. two were honora bly,
discharged for physical disability and
% physically disqualified for commits
sions submitted their designations.
The commissioning of another is de-
pendent upon a later physical. exam
ination.
Andrews Is Speaker.
The armory was decorated with
blue and gold bunting and Navy signal
flags when the blue uniformed un-
| dergraduates filed to their seats. The
graduates, in white uniforms, took
their place in a group, facing a ros-
trum filled with distinguished guests
and high-ranking officers Of the Navy.
At the graduation exercises Rear
Admiral Adolphus Andrews, chief OF
the Bureau of Navigation, Navy De-
partrnent, told the new officers that
each one of you may be carrying an
admirals flag in your sea bag" but
reminded them they must face COM
petition and selection.
President Roosevelt, In a message
| from the White House transmitted by
Admiral Andrews. congratulated the
graduates.
ut is with pleasure no less deep
than a sense of pride that 1 salute
the future leaders of the United
States Navy" the President declared
"On this graduation day the Naval
| Academy places on the graduates its
final seal of approval in token of
their fitness to bear responsible
part in their country's service.
In peace or in war, in civil life
or in the naval service. hope every
| graduate Of the class of 1887 will up
hold in his life and his work the
highest ideals and the loftiest tradi-
tions of the Navy"
Contending that the selection sys-
tenn in the Navy has materially ad-
vanced the efficiency Of its commits
stoned personnel, Admiral Andrews
said: The Navy must choose between
permitting its officers to mark time
and grow old in one grade without op-
portunity of experience or responsible
ity--or selecting the best for promo
ton.
THE first alternative leads inescap-
ably to stagnation; the other main
tains efficiency and offers to every Of
ficer an opportunity to advance by his
own efforts. Therefore, We have in
| the Navy the selection system Of pro-
motion, and 1t follows that your di-
ploma and your commission are not
| in themselves a guarantee or an in
herent right Of lifetime career"
Others on Rostrum.
Admiral Andrews asserted that the
selection system in the Navy is not
perfect system, and I know of
nothing human that is perfect
Gov. Harry w. Nice, Daniel c.
Roper, Secretary of Commerce, and
Charles Edison. Assistant Secretary
Of the Navy. were among the officials
on the rostrum at the graduation ex-
ercises.
Members Of the graduating class at
the Naval Academy attended their last
dress parade yesterday, surrendering
their authority to the class Of 1888.
Thirty-one midshipmen were hon.
ored during the parade when they re-
ceived prizes and awards they won
in studies and athletics during the
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