Evening star., 1940-10-21
Senate Bill Provides
Emergency Force
OF Ydchtsmen
Coast Guard Unit
Would Be Patterned
After Naval Reserves

A trained force of officers and
men from the ranks of motorboao
and yacht enthusiasts would be
created for service in time OF war
or a national emergency under the
United States Coast Guard, bill
introduced in the Senate by Sen
ator Clark, Democrat, OF Missouri,
provides.
The measure authorizes establish
ment of a Coast Guard Reserve
composed of men between II and
ga, who would obligate themselves
to serve the Government.
Patterned closely after the United
States Naval Reserve, the new or
sanitation would afford Coast
Guard ratings not above the rank
of lieutenant commander and carry
with it the full pay and allowance
of Coast Guard regulars.
Name of Reserves Changed.
The bill, at the same time, repeals
the Coast Guard Reserve Act OF 1889,
and creates also Coast Guard
Auxiliary similar to the present re-
serve, a military, voluntary Or
eanization of motorboat owners. In
effect. the act would change the
name of the present reserve formed
little more than a year ago. ms
group now numbers more than 5000
yachtsmen and includes approx
mately $500 craft, according 10
guard headquarters.
Introduction of the measure, on
which officials have been working
for several months, raised specula-
ton in service circles whether IT
might be a prelude to bringing the
Coast Guard under the Navy De-
partment, rumored since the inter-
national situation became acute.
An act of January, 1915, states lin
the event of war or when the Presl-
dent shall so direct the Coast
Guard shall become part of the
Navy and operate under the Secre-
tary of the Navy.
On several occasions since the
August celebration Of the l50th
anniversary of the guards founding,
Rear Admiral Russell R. Waesche,
commandant, has reminded the
Nation that his organization stands
ready to carry out the terms of the
1915 act.
Could Be Ordered to Duty.
Reports from New York City early
this month revealed the armed Coast
Guard cutter Campbell had been
dispatched to Portuguese waters 10
relieve one of two destroyers recalled
by the Navy because of their re-
semblance to destroyers traded to
Great Britain.
The bill proposed today specifically
states the Reserve shall be
military organization administered
by the commandant under the dlrec-
ton of the Secretary of the Treas
ury," end the commandant shall
prescribe, with the approval of the
Secretary of the Treasury and the
concurrence of the Secretary OF the
Navy, such regulations as may be
necessary to effectuate the purpose
OF the act.
In time of war or during a ma
tional emergency, Reserves may be
ordered to active duty by the COM
mandant. but in time of peace no
Feservist shall be ordered or con-
tinued on active duty without his
consent, according to the bill.
Would Enroll Crews.
The commandant also is author
ized to enroll for active duty, as
temporary members of the Reserve,
such regular officers and crews of
any motorboat or yacht placed at
the disposal of the Coast Guard,
VINO shall receive ranks appropriate
to their qualifications and expert
ence. This membership, however
shall extend only for such period as
the motorboat or yacht to which the
members are attached is utilized by
the Coast Guard. the bill states.
Members of the Naval Reserve
may be temporary members of the
Coast Guard Reserve. but when
called to duty by the Secretary of
the Navy they are released from all
duty with the Coast Guard
The bill calls for an enlistment
period in the auxiliary and the Re-
serve of three years. Both men,
berships would afford enrolment in
the Coast Guard Institute cor
respondence courses.