Evening star., 1939-12-10
Local Naval Reserve
Officers Planning
Convention Fight
Dissatisfaction
Expressed With
kotionoI Body


kotionoI Body
Naval Reserve officers in this area
are planning little revolution OF
their own when the annual conven-
ton of the Naval Reserve Onicers'
Association of the United States
holds its national convention here
in January. Local officers declared
they have taken 1t on the chin for
years from those from other areas
who are alleged to dominate the
affairs Of the organization, and they
have decided that they are about
fed up. With the largest chapter
in their history they are planning
to march into the convention and
demand recognition, especially for
some of the things which they have
recommended, not the least Of
which is approval for a local
armory.
A nominating board has been
named for the selection of officers
for the local chapter and for dele
gates to the convention on January
IL and 13. The local chapter now
has $50 members, and is entitled to
one delegate to the convention for
each 10 members, which would give
them a total of Is.
They assert they are always
assigned the duty of making
arrangements for the convention,
and have been assigned the same
task this year. But in previous
years. after handling all of these
details, they assert their recon-
mendations have been thrown out
by the small group of officers from
other parts of the country who are
alleged to dominate the affairs Of
the association. Another matter
about which they propose to de-
mand an explanation is the maga-
zine which has been started by the
national association. When this
project was proposed, it was said,
the local delegates were promised
at least four issues year, and they
say that they have only received
one. 1t was said that a resolution
was adopted at the last meeting of
the local chapter to know from the
national association why this prom
Use had not been kept and this will
be taken to the floor of the con-
vention, especially as they say that
they give So dues for each member
to the national association.
Local officers assert the national
convention last year would not pass
a resolution expressing sympathy
with the proposal of the local Re-
servists for a new armory here.
They intend to press strongly for
support for the armory project at
the coming convention, although
the details of their plans will not be
perfected until the next meeting
which will be held short time be.
fore the convention.
The Nominating Committee of the
local chapter includes: 1t. Comdr.
j. w. Fewell, senior member; 1t. F.
G. Caskey, 1t. c. H. Williams, 1t,
q. g. F. w. Lemly, 1t. q. g. H.
Arthur Lamar.
1t. w. Croft Jennings, COM
nader of the local Reserve battalion,
is on leave, and is spending a vaca-
ton in South America. 1t. F.. S.
klrke, commanding the Sd Division,
senior officer of the battalion, next
to 1t. Jennings, has assumed Tempo
rary command.
Because Of the rigid precautions
which are being taken by the naval
authorities in charge of the Navy
Yard to prevent unauthorized per-
sons from entering the reservation,
a new type of automobile plate is
being prepared for issue to the Re-
servists in order that they may get
into the yard with their automobiles
to attend the regular drills and
other exercises. Special plates were
issued some time ago. but it was
found that the list of assignments
was not complete, and there was a
possibility that they might have
gotten into the hands of unau-
thorized persons. Therefore, all Of
these plates have been Cancelled.
Records of the new issues will be
kept in the Office of the COM
mandant of the Navy Yard.
The new infantry drill regula.
tions for the Navy and Naval Re-
serve, which are similar to the new
regulations in the armory. will be
put into effect at the local Reserve
next month, it was said. To this
extent another serious problem has
been raised, in the matter of space
in the present armory. Some Of
the new regulations require con-
siderably more space for the move.
ment of troops than the old regu-
lations. Under present conditions,
it is difficult to maneuver, or even
assemble the three divisions on the
present drill hall floor. and officers
who have examined the new rules
say that they cannot see how they
can operate with the present space
limitations.
Because of the crowded condi-
tions, the officers have been giving
serious consideration to the matter
of having each of the three divi-
sions drill on different night, and
while this Is not believed to be
conducive to the best administra-
ton of the battalion as a unit, it
was asserted that it may be forced
on them. Under the new regula-
tions, it was questioned whether
there would be room enough in
the armory drill hall for more than
platoon at a time, even If each
division drills on separate night.
Officers will study the problem as
soon as the new regulations are put
into effect, and they will be able
to determine their limitations after
the first two or three drills after
the new infantry operations are
tried out.
The Legislative Committee Of the
local chapter of the Naval Reserva