Evening star., 1897-03-13
THE NATIONAL GUARD
Efforts Renewed to Secure a New
Armory Building.
ice REMOVED FROM THE DRILL HALL
Complaint Regarding the Uniform
Worn March q.
OF THE SHOOTERS

Now that the Inauguration has come and
gone. the proposition for the erection Of
an armory building by the federal govern
ment. to house the District National Guard
is again the center of interest among the
local citizen soldiery and others. The bill.
which has been prepared by those who are
fostering the plan, will be introduced in
Congress Tuesday next, and, as it already
has many stanch supporters. the expecta-
tion is that the desired legislation will
speedily be secured.
The officials of the Interior Department
are particularly interested in the project.
1t has been stated that the government
every four years suffers loss of So, 600
while the pension office building is at the
disposal of the inaugural committee.
To Drill Without lee.
There has been a general sprucing up
about the l. street armory of late. The
front door and the wainscoting has received
a fresh coat of paint all the rooms and
Railways have been supplied with the
original quota of incandescent lights. a
group of lights has been placed above the
entrance doorway on the outside. and in a
the inscription, in large gilt letters, Arm
ory of D. c. National Guard.
Convention Hall, beginning Monday even
ing next. will again be at the disposal of
eliminated. The ice has been removed, and
likewise the pipes and portion of the rail-
ing that surrounded the ice surface. 1t is
probable that, instead of Mondays, Tues
days and Saturdays, the hall will hereafter
be assigned to the guard Mondays, Tues
days and Wednesdays
Events to Come.
With the passing Of the inaugural parade
the next number on the program for the
local brigade is the annual inspection and
muster, which will occur early in May.
Company commanders are already begin
hing to make preparations for the event,
and the desire on all sides is to make far
better showing than was the case last year.
A month after the inspection will occur
the camp at Fort Washington. Guard
mount and the movements and duties that
the guardsmen will be called upon to per-
form at camp will be frequently rehearsed
from the present time until the time ar
rves for the departure for the summer
outing under canvas.
Visitors as an Object Lesson.
The presence of the visiting regiments
Of the militia in this city for the inaugu-
ration, notably the 4th Maryland the 18th
Maryland. the list New York and the I'd
New Jersey, was very much of an eye
opener and object lesson to the local guards
men. Each of these regiments consisted of
twelve companies, the latter averaging not
less than sixty men. They appeared thor
ouShly efficient in every respect. and were
certainly credit to the states they repre-
sented. From casual glance any one of
these regiments seemed as strong in num-
bers as the entire local brigade and after
seeing then officers and men of the latter
began wondering whether a new armory
in a suitable location, with proper facilities
for drill. would improve, to a limited de-
gree, ut least, the existing and by no means
gratifying National Guard situation
Full Dress Was Desired.
By far the majority of the officers and
enlisted men of the District Na:io1al
Guard have not yet concluded expressing
indignation that the brigade was paraded
March 4 in undress uniform, with web
belts and campaign hats. The inaugural
parade, they argue was an occasion for
display, and If ever there was a day that
In view of all the attendant circumstances.
weather included, that called for the wear
Ing or full dress that day was the one that
marked the induction of President Nc
k1niey into Office. In general orders, is
sted several days prior to the 4th, pro-
vision was made for the appearance of
the troops of the local brigade in full