Evening star., 1939-04-30

available funds
1t. Sullivan. toward the con-
struction of a battleship or other
cruising or fighting vessel than
spend it in an armory, the Naval
Reserve officers have decided to
study the situation to determine
whether they should be content to
let the matter rest or take active
steps to bring about q solution to
the problem.
The officers are bound to the
same rigid restrictions on the matter
OF seeking outside help for any pro-
gram they might formulate, but this,
OF course, does not apply to an as
sociation, and thereby the body is
studying the matter.
The matter was laid before the
local chapter at a meeting last week
In the Washington Hotel by 1t. F.
w. Lemley, national director of the
association and a former president
of the local chapter. He made no
recommendations in his resume Of
the situation, but left the matter
entirely up to the membership for
further study.
1t was indicated, however, that,
there is little likelihood of the local
Naval Reservists and the Marine
Corps Reservists bettering their
armory situation with the officials Of
the Navy Department in their pres
ent state of mind.
The only way to solve the prob
lem, it was explained, is to have
friends Of the association members
put legislation through Congress,
without reference to the Navy De-
partment, for, it was pointed out,
every time it goes there for recom-
mendation it is going to be turned
down. The only funds which would
be required, it was indicated, are
those for the material and labor, as
there is now available site for the
structure. It is in the Washington
Navy Yard, near the Eleventh street
Bridge, and would have many ad.
vantages over the present dilapidat.
| ed structure, which, while located
within the Navy Yard reservation,
| Is so far from the water front as
| to require considerable loss of time
when the Reservists go there for
their drills either in small boats or
on destroyers which are sent here
from time to time for this purpose.
The association paid high trib-
ute to 1t. James E. Sullivan, COM
mander of the local battalion and
former president of the District
of Columbia Chapter, when 1t pre-
sented him with an embossed resolu-
ton expressing its appreciation of
the work which has been done for
the Naval Reserve, and particularly
for his efforts in behalf Of the Off
GERS association. 1t. w. B. Arm
strong, president, presided.
1t. c. H. Williams, who repre-
sented the District at the Southern
Regional Policy Board Conference
in connection with the proposed new
regulations made necessary by the
new Naval Reserve Act of last year.
outlined the proceedings Of that
meeting.
The jinx is still following the To-
cal Reserve so far as the provision
Of a training ship for drill pur-
poses is concerned. After making
preparations for using the U. S. de-
stroyer Roper during the next sew
eral weeks for drills, the ship re-
ceived sudden orders on Monday
| 70 Cat rr,ift,ir,
and proceed to New York. The result
was that the Reservists had to
abandon their Tuesday drill on the
vessel and had to train in the ar
mory There was no explanation Of
flcially as to why the vessel was
suddenly moved. Unofhcially, it was
indicated that the action was taken
as a result Of the change in the
plans of the fleet which sent it back
into the Pacific instead of parad-
ing in the North River for the edi-
fication of those who attend the
Worlds Fair.
Whether the ship will return here
after the opening ceremonies Is not
known at this time.
The Reservists are hoping that
their new training ship will be here
within a short time. There have
been several changes in the date
when she would be completed, the
latest of which is tomorrow. But
local Reserve headquarters has not
received any instructions to send the
crew to man the vessel, which Is
being fitted out at the Charleston
Is. c. Navy Yard.
A crew has been standing by at
the armory which is ready to leave
on short notice for the Southern
navy yard where the vessel would
be placed in commission for the
voyage to Washington, where she
is to be attached to the local bat
talon to be used on week end
| cruises.
While the officer who will go to
Charleston to take command and
bring the vessel to Washington Is
not yet known, 1t is understood
that 1t. Sullivan, commander Of
the battalion, may accept the as
signment.
1t. q. g. Charles Cundiff has
devised a comprehensive system for
training the engineer forces of the
various divisions, which is being
given a thorough tryout among the
engineer personnel Of the 1st Di-
vision. 1t was said that If the sys-
tenn works out well there on trial
| 1t will be introduced into the train