Evening star., 1939-10-29
New Training Ship
For Naval Reserves
Docks al Navy Yard
Winter Cruising Program
Being Mapped Out
By 1t. A. J. Benz

Dy lt. n. }. oenz
The new training ship Of the 1st
Battalion, District Naval Reserve,
arrived at the Washington Navy
Yard last Sunday night from the
Norfolk Navy Yard. The ship has
been at Norfolk for the last two
months, undergoing thorough
overhaul.
1t. F. S. Kirk was In command
Of the ship on her voyage to Wash
ington. The other officers were It..
q. g. F. w. Lemly and Ensign H.
Arthur Lamar It. A. j. Benz, di-
rector of naval affairs in this area
and instructor of the local battalion,
also made the voyage. There were
IL men, and in addition there was
Chief Boatswain's Mate Joseph P.
Slattery, who was sent down with
the vessel to keep check on the
work which was being done He re-
ported that the ship was in first
class shape.
A winter cruising program is being
mapped out by It. Benz so that
full use will be made of the vessel
during the week ends.
A new class of enlisted men has
been authorized for the Naval Re-
serve and the officers are making
every effort to provide the men for
this new branch, which is known as
"technician Mp" The prospects
must be expert hospital attendants
qualified in neurology and psy-
chiatry. They will be given the rates
of hospital apprentices, first class,
and pharmacists mate, first class,
depending upon their qualifications.
Officers are making a survey of
the local hospitals. particularly in
stltut!ons where mental patients are
treated, with a view to getting sufh-
cient men to fill these billets. 1t was
pointed out that the enlistments
will be in the volunteer branch and
that the service will not interfere
with the present duties of the re-
cruits.
A study of the report from the
Navy Department of the enlisted
ReServlsts who were selected to
enter the Naval Academy this year
by the officers of the local battalion
disclosed that while the majority
of the local candidates passed the
mental tests the local battalion lost
heavily through the rigid physical
examinations. Most of the physical
failures, it was said, was due to
failure to pass eye tests, which now
have been provided for candidates
for the naval school.
This new system, it was said, as
sures the naval authorities that men
actually selected will not develop
eye troubles after they have taken
part of the course and gives reas-
enable assurance that those accept
ed will be able to complete the
course and be commissioned in the
Navy.
Because the local Communications
Division receives interference from
the 5th Naval District radio sta
ton during its drill period the local
Reservists have asked that the drill
time on the air be divided and
that during the period allocated to
one station the other remain silent.
The local outfit has suggested that
the 5th District station use the
hours from 8:3l to $50 pm, while
the local station uses the time be-
tween 7:30 and $50 pm.
The Communications Reserve Of
ficers Association met last week.
Comdr. Earl E. Stone, who super
vised the preparation of the new
communications instructions, was
the guest OF honor.
The District Chapter of the United
States Naval Reserve Officers AS
sociation met at the Hamilton Ho-
tel last week, when Navy Day
program was conducted. 1t. A. J.
Benz, director of naval affairs in
this area, discussed number of
matters of vital interest to the Re-
servists. particularly in connection
with the naval increase plans, while
Capt. H. G. Copeland, U. S. N. r.,
of the Office of chief of naval op-
erations also spoke.
Because of the discussion of ma
val plans in connection with the
present situation the meeting was
restricted to Naval and Marine Corps
Reserve officers.
That the Navy Department is call
ing into active service, in connection
with the national defense plans. Of
ficers and men, it was disclosed in
a decision last week of the controller
general of the United States in the
matter of granting leave without
pay The inquiry was sent by the
Postmaster General, who said that
employees of the custodial service of
that department who are members
of the Fleet Reserve and the Naval
Reserve have been called to active
duty in the Navy. He wanted to
know whether such employees could
be granted leave, without pay, for
the time they may be on active duty
in the Navy, whether upon entering
the service they must take their ac-
crued annual leave or whether such