Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-01-23
NEW ARMORY NEEDED
ONE REQUIRED FOR DISTRICT MA
TIoNAL GUARD
Gen. Harries Talks Of the Efforts in
This Direction and Of His
Hopes for Success.

The recent article in The Star concerning
the probabilities of the District securing
an appropriation in the near future for a
new and conveniently located armory for
our National Guard has aroused the live
hest anl.cipations among our local militia
men.
AT the armory the sentiment is universal
in favor Of such project. and the hope is
most fervent that this much-needed and
longed-for Improvement may be realized
within reasonable time The members Of
this fine body of troops understand, how
ever, that they cannot obtain adequate ac-
commodations in a home Of their own with
out s. me public agitation and considerable
effort upon their part and that of their
officers.
1t Is their intention, therefore, to do all
that may be done. to foster the sentiment for
new and enlarged quarters. To this highly
desirable end, both from the viewpoint Of
the National Guard and from that of our
progressive citizens, who earnestly hope to
see fine, large building added to those
already In the capital, General Harries
Will use his best endeavors to aid in Sc
curing from Congress the necessary appro-
prlatlon, and of such an amount that the
proposed new quarters of the Guard will be
IN keeping with the armories of the Ma
uonal Guard Of New York and other states
Wnere llDerai1ty Is shown home soldiers In
the matter OF quarters and equipment.
Gen. Harries' Views.
In discussing the mater this morning
with Star man General Harries said:
L desire to add my sincere commenda-
ton to WHIT The Star has already said
about the importance Of securing for Wash
heton new and suitable quarters for the
National Guard. and I trust that its efforts
ana those Of others who are interested in
with success.
From the date Of the organization Of the
district National Guard down to the pres
emf time we have been compelled to get
along as best we could with facilities far
INFERIOR 10 any enjoyed by the citizen-sol-
oiery OF any of the larger communities in
the country. We have economical wher-
ever such thing has been possible, and We
nave made the most Of every opportunity,
yee we nave never been able to provide
proper accommodation for the local brigade
ana as consequence we have never
reached that maximum Of efficiency which
Is the oesire OF every right-thinking, active
onicer ana enlisted man In the command.
"One OF the conspicuous buildings in the
plans OF the parking commission is that
winch the commission designed to be used
1or brigade armory, and which should be
available for use for inaugural ball pur-
poses. Unless existing LEGISLATION is re-
pealed we are now without any structure
IN washington suitable for the inaugural
paH. Somehow or other the need will. OF
course. be temporarily supplied when we
celebrate the incoming of the next Presf-
dent, but the best of the structures that
coulo possibly be made available would be
no more than mere makeshift We who
nave talked this thing over many times
nope mat before the lapse Of more than
Jour or nFe years there will be convenient
~ located great armory and drill hall.
naScrinfior 10 A..
1.-THE hall should be no less than $50 feet
long, and 1t should not be less than 300 feet
VIDE. 1t should be without pillars, and
there ought to be wide balconies on each
moor. This would mean ample drill space
and fine accommodations for spectators.
TWO rooms-One squad room and the 9TH
er locker room-should be assigned to
each company. In place Of rooms on one
side Of the ground floor there should be a
rifle gallery. 200 yards long and separated
from the main hall by a succession of
arches closed by heavy sliding doors.
When preparations are being made for
an inaugural ball all the United States and
company property in the squad rooms on
the ground floor could be removed to the
locker rooms and there be safely preserved
While the squad rooms could be turned over
for the use of the various committees com
mon to the inaugural ball. The arched
doorWayS could be cleared and the long and
Wide rifle gallery would be available for the
supper room. On the ground floor Quarters
would be provided for a light battery and
for any other commands whose equipment
may not easily be stored up even one flight
OF stairs. On the next floor there would he
the headquarters offices and more Of com
pany rooms.
''The balcony on this floor could. on in
augural ball occasions, be connected with
the main floor by metal staircase of such
width and design as to make it an archf-
tectural feature. Down this stairway the
presidential party would reach the floor.
The third floor would be fully occupied
by company quarters and by kitchens. in
which instruction in the methods of field
cooking could be given all the year around.
Such a building could undoubtedly be
erected for sum Of money no greater than
the capitalized amount of annual expendi-
lures for rent Of armories and the capitali-
cation of the amount Of money lost by the
government when, once in four years. It
closes the pension office for practically two
weeks.
"Those members of the House and Senate
with whom / have talked Of this very inn
portant matter seem to be entirely in ac-
cord with such a plan, and can, 1 feel sure.
be depended upon to help the proposition
along whenever it makes legislative appear
ance."