Evening star., 1939-03-26

NoPr- A. T. CIuy, U. ). NJ,
Is Ordered to Be
Relieved April I
Capt. Alfred P. Clay, u. S. Navy,
who. for some time, has been the
director Of Naval Reserve affairs in
this city, particularly the instruc-
ton OF the FIRST Battalion, District
naval Reserves Is slated to be de-
tached from duty here on April l.
In appreciation of his services in
behalf Of the local organization,
the battalion will be presented in
review IN his honor Tuesday night,
1t was announced on behalf of the
commanding officer, 1t. James E.
Sullivan.
Capt. Clay has been very popular
with the ReServiSts, and to his efforts
have been attributed much of the
f1ne results of the last annual in
spection before board Of regular
naval officers.
While his relief here has not been
designated, 1t Is anticipated that
the vacancy will be filled within
q short time, as the local Reservists
are IN the midst of making prepara-
tions for their annual sea training
this year aboard destroyers which
will take them to the Worlds Fair
after operating in maneuvers and
having target practice somewhere
OH the North Atlantic Coast.
The naval officers assigned with
the local battalion have had q Sc
rious problem to cope with in the
lack Of available space for the proper
carrying out of the duties incident
to training, and 1t Is probable that
the local Reservists. despite increases
IN personnel as we'll as instruction
duty requirements, will have to con-
tinue to perform them under these
conditions and make the best of
them, for there is no aid in sight
for them from the Navy Department
IN the way of better armory facilities.
The Navy Department has again
rejected q plan to have Congress
provide funds for the construction
of a new building here not only
for the naval contingent, but for
the Marine Corps Reserve. The
Inspection Board on numerous oc-
caslons has called attention to the
poor armory conditions here and
throughout the country
The annual meeting of the Dis
trict of Columbia Chapter, United
States Naval Reserve Officers Asso-
citation was held last week at the
Washington Navy Yard. The fol-
lowing officers were elected: 1t.
w. B. Armstrong, president; 1t.
q. g. J. w. Shultz, vice president;
1t. H. B. Atkinson. secretary treas
urer; 1t. q. g. F. w. Lemly, the
retiring president, national director.
Membership in the association is
confined to officers of all branches
OF the United States Naval and
Marine Corps Reserves.
Reports were presented by 1t.
Nicholson, regarding the proposed
reorganization of the Naval Com
munication Reserve and 1t. Will
liamS and 1t. Comdr. Holt, who
have been attending sessions OF
the Naval Policy Board, made up of
Regular and Reserve officers, which
now Is in session here, following
series of regional conferences held
several weeks ago. 1t was said
that the Navy Department is issuing
new regulations to govern the Naval
Reserve under authority of the new
Naval Reserve Act passed by Con-
greSS last year. This, together with
the whole rearmament program as
it affects the Navy, has resulted il.
unusual and additional interest
being advanced by Naval Reserve
officers in the affairs of that branch
of the service.
A resolution was adopted express
ing the appreciation of the associa-
ton for the interest and cooperation
of 1t. J. E. Sullivan, commanding
OAAASSA Va VIC 4oC 0dtCdllOIl, VIII
plans to relinquish his command in
the near future.
An intensive membership CAM
paign was also discussed and it was
voted to hold one meeting each
month for the next three months.
Plans of unusual interest already
have been made for the next meet
ing, it was said, and will be an
to all officers of this naval
district In the very near future.
Ensign j. Watson, Supply Corps,
comes here each week from Balti-
more to participate in the drills of
the Organized Reserve here.
The provisional division of Naval
Reservists composed of those men
who have applied for authority to
take the tests for appointment to
the United States Naval Academy,
from the Reserve, was taken aboard
the new U. S. destroyer Jouett last
week, when she was at the WASH
ington Navy Yard. The ship is en-
gagged on q shake-down cruise, pre-
to assuming her regular
duty with the destroyer squadrons
tho Rnof