Evening star., 1938-02-27
RESERVE IS GIVEN
ADVANCE REVIEW
1t. Comdr. Charles. B. Nc
Way, Sd, Examines Unit
Prior to Inspection.

Auc ISL odtCdllOT, DlSCrlCC naval
Reserves, was given its final pre-
view last Monday night in prepara-
ton for the big night Tuesday, when
the board Of regular naval officers
will put the three divisions through a
series of drills and exercises to de-
termine their progress and efficiency
as we'll as readiness for immediate
service with the fleet in the event of
the occurrence Of national emer-
gency.
The preliminary review was con-
Quoted by Ia. Comdr. Charles B.
McVay. Sd, U. S. Navy, in charge
Of naval reserve activities here and
inspector instructor of the local bat
talon. Every detail Of the formation
was watched closely by Comdr. Nc
Way and 1t. j. E. Sullivan, COM
mander Of the battalion.
What the local organization has
made up in personnel development
and in training during the year, how
ever, will not make up for the very
unsatisfactory armory in which the
local reservists have to obtain their
instruction. Despite the crowded con-
ditions and the type Of structure the
citizen sailors have shown consider
able initiative in fitting out the
building. They have installed many
features to make the drills as near
as possible to those which are held
on shipboard. When the inspectors
arrive there on Tuesday they will find
tirely new general alarm system which
is as realistic as those found aboard
vessels of the Navy. While the re-
servists are not complaining about
their housing conditions but are max
ing the most of the situation it is
probable the inspection board will
have something to say about the con-
ditions under which they, obtain their
training
The reservists are hoping that some
one will take some concrete steps to
provide them with a new building.
They have worked as far as they can
toward the goal, in the way of drawing
plans and urging the matter before
officials, but the money has not
been forthcoming They have the
site available in the Washington Navy
Yard, at point directly on the Ana
costa River front. where they will
have Immediately at hand facilities for
training with small boats, and a place
to tie up training ship if one ever
becomes available to them. On this
point, they are hopeful that the
spring will find a ship available for
them, because they promise that they
will make full use of it during the
summer months, when they can cruise
on week ends on the Potomac River
and its tributaries. If the vessel is
fast enough it may even be possible
for them to make the bay on these
trips and get in some real training in
seamanship.
However, they are not scorning their
launch, which is out Of the water
now, but are making preparations to
put it in the water as soon as there
is certainty that there will be no
more ice in the river, and the week
end cruises will be inaugurated. The
capacity of this boat is so limited and
the demand for the week end cruises
so great that each man only gets
about one training trip year aboard
it. Officers point out that the men
could be given considerably more sur
face vessel training if larger ves-
sci were here, and it would result in
considerable benefit both to them ard
the Navy. The time that the men
spend on these trips is purely volun-
tary, which, as the officers point out
is an indication that they are inter-
ested in getting as much naval train
ing on the water as possible.
The Navy Department has called
attention of reservists that recent leg
islation provides for compensation of
reservists suffering disability resulting
from personal injury or disease con-
tracted in line of duty, through ex-
tension of the existing pension laws
to such reservists during peace times.
1t gives to reservists who are entitled
to compensation under the United
States Compensation Commission the
choice as to whether they shall re-
ceive compensation under that statute
or compensation under the Veterans
Administration.
1t was pointed out, however, that
the amount of compensation is gen.
orally less under the Employees Com
pensation Commission. but disease, as
we'll as injury, is covered. In recent
decision Of the Veterans Administra-
ton. it was held naval reservists are
entitled to the prescribed benefits as
a result of disability contracted in
line of duty while in the active service
of the Navy Department,
Accordingly, it is the opinion of the
Veterans Administration that re-
servists who incur diseases or injuries
in line of duty while performing the
following classes of duty are entitled to
these benefits: Active duty with pay,
active duty without pay, when per-
formed upon written orders issued by
SOhAPSoSAit outllOA Ivy, tAdAlAlS uooy
with pay, training duty without pay.
weekend cruises, and that while re-
servists suffering such disabilities
while in the performance of the fol-
lowing classes of duty are not entitled
to these benefits: Drills, appropriate
duties, equivalent instruction or duty,
with or without pay.
Naval reservists are looking to Con-
gress to make needed changes in the
organic act of that service compo-
nent, to the end that greater efficiency
may result. The Nays approved bill
was thoroughly considered in COM
mittee last year, but was lost in the
final shuttle, but the reservists feel
that the House Naval Committee will
be able to get the bigger Navy legis-
lation out of the way in time this
year to give attention to reporting
out the Naval Reserve amendment
act.
While the naval reservists proposals
and those of the Navy Department do
not agree in all particulars, never
hal