Evening star., 1937-04-04
RESERVE CHANGES
GET SUPPORT HERE
Local Officers Approve Navy
Amendments to Pres
ent Act.

The District of Columbia Chapter
of the United States Naval Reserve
Oflcers' Association took firm stand
in favor of the Navy Departments
draft of bill carrying proposed
amendments to the United States
Naval Reserve act at meeting at the
Reserve Armory, Washington Navy
Yard, last week. In SO doing 1t
Joined list of similar organizations
throughout the country which have
resented the proceedings Of the ma
tional convention here last January,
when that body neglected to take a
stand on the matter and left the
question entirely in the hands Of its
Legislative Committee.
It was pointed out several months
ago that there was prolonged con-
ference at the Navy Department be-
tween officers Of the Navy and Re-
serve officers from various parts of
the country, during which 'le entire
matter was thoroughly threshed out.
At that time there was an agreement
on amendments, and the Navy De-
partment prepared the draft of the
proposed legislation. This tentative
draft was before the convention, but
after considerable discussion no ac-
ton was taken. 1t was said the pro-
posed amendments did not satisfy
certain veteran Reserve officers who,
to some extent, control the affairs OF
the national organization. The ac-
ton, or rather non-action, OF the ma
tional body has been felt so keenly by
group of younger officers of the Re-
serve, it was said by some Of those
who attended the convention, there
has been an undercurrent of discus
sion involving a proposal to form a
new Naval Reserve officers organiza-
ton. However, nothing definite has
developed up to this time.
1t was contended at the meeting OF
the local chapter, while the Navy S
draft of amendments does not cover
everything which the Naval Reserv-
lists believe is required, in a general
way 1t is a marked improvement
over the existing act. Furthermore
officers said it is understood the pro-
posed amendments meet the require
ments of the Navy, and in the light
of that and in view of the fact the
Navy is responsible for the develop
ment of the efficiency of the fleet, anc
It's supporting component, the Reserve
loyalty Of the Reserve demands thai
the Navys action be approved. They
feel that the plans of the Navy should
ala hoo ,ta nd pfV
support of the Reserve.
Comdr Lynn Rutter, a member o1
the Legislative Committee of the ma
tional association, spoke on the &C.
tivities OF the national association
and on the status of Naval Reserve
legislation in general.
The association elected officers as
follows: Lieut.. d. g. F.. w. Lemly
president; Lieut.. w. B. Armstrong
vice president Lieut.. q. g. j. w
Shultz, secretary-treasurer, and Lieut.
c. H. Williams, national director
During the last year the chapter
under the presidency of Lieut.. w
Croft Jennings, made rapid strides.
President Lemly named the follow
Ing chairmen of standing committees:
Lieut.. Shultz, membership; Lieut.. E
I. Snyder, legislative; Lieut.. Shultz
entertainment, and Lieut.. James E
Sullivan, commander of the local bat
talon, policy.
Lieut.. q. g. Eugene c. Carusi has
been promoted to senior lieutenant
and assigned to the staff OF the bat
talon commander. Lieut.. Carusi Is
an assistant United States district at
torney for the District of Columbia.
Members of the local battalion are
being given target practice every Sat-
urday afternoon at the range In the
Washington Navy Yard.
The following Volunteer officers
have reported for duty with the local
battalion: Ensigns w. D. Acker, jr.;
E. B. Rucker, E. B. Redington and F
H. Bodies.
These officers are not required to
attend the weekly drills, but they are
encouraged to do so. and when vacan-
cies occur in the feet ranks officers
from this list are selected to flll the
vacancies. The number Of feet Re-
serve officers is limited by the amount
Of appropriations.
While not required either to par
ticipate in the annual practice cruises
each Summer, efforts now are being
made to have Congress to provide
funds SO that certain number OF
these officers may make the cruises
each year.
The proposed inspection tour OF the
Naval Communication Reserve aboard
the U. s. Pickerel, one Of the new
type feet submarines scheduled to
come to the Washington Navy Yard
has been postponed until May l. The
vessel was scheduled to come here on
March %.
Last weeks "over the air" drill OF
the Naval Communication unit was
declared to be satisfactory from q
contact reporting point, but suf'icient
men were not present to get the bene.
fit OF the drill. The men who were
present were highly commended by
the division commander for the snap.
py manner in which they handled
radio operator signals.
The commandant of the 9th Nava
District has addressed letter to Lieut.
Ralph c. Loves, jr., commanding the
30th Fleet Division, congratulatine
him and the men for the efficiency
of that division as shown by its cruis'
ing attendance on District vessels dur
Ing the Summer of 1886. The division
cruised 929 per cent of its authorized
quota Of officers and men, thereb!
winning first place among the divi
sions Of that district.
A silver cup, symbolizing the ap
probation OF the commandant, ha
been presented to the division. II
view OF the fact that this occasion
marks the third consecutive year il
r,b3cb That division has u,on the cIln