Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-04-12

a ENCOURAGEMENT last Wednes-
| " day that order had been is
"A sued by the War Department re-
4 ~ lieving Maj Lloyd Nj. Brett. list
| United States Cavalry. from
| duty as adtutant general of the militia
| of the District of Columbia. with rank
| of lieutenant colonel the 1St OF next
month. and directing that he proceed 10
| join the LIST Cavalry in the Philippines
was a matter of genuine regret to every
one connected with and interested in the
| local brigade. Although by no means I'M
| expected the announcement was III the
nature of a shock. However, hope is en-
| tertained that the order will be amended
to permit the continuance of Col Brett
on his present detail. at least until the
| list of next September.
| 1t is argued that it would be unwise. to
| say the least to remove from duty with
| the guard so experienced ana Vaiuanie an
| officer just prior to the beginning of the
! summer work and with the annual en-
| campment only few weeks distant. Col
Brett in view of his service of nearly
| five years with the brigade. is intimately
| acquainted with the guard and its per-
sonnet. AS an instructor, especially dur
ing the summer encampmentS, his SerV-
| ices have been of the utmost value. An
| other officer of the army. stranger. UNI
familiar with the brigade and its work.
and not acquainted more than casually
| with the officers and men, reporting for
| duty as adjutant general the list Of May.
| would be of very little. if any. use. il is
| urged in connection with the encamp-
ment the coming SUNNI r. reporting
| about the LIST OF September however. he
| would have the entire winter and spring
during which to familiari2e himself with
| the organization. and would be In posi-
| ton by the time for the next annual out
| ing to render services of some value.
| The officers of the brigade seem to be
| a unit in the belief that the departure of
| Col. Brett prior to the close OF the en-
campment next July would be almost a
calamity to the brigade An earnest and
unanimous appeal that Col. Brett be per-
mitted to remain on duty here until after
| the next encampment is to be made. and
| the guardsmen say there seems TO be no
logical reason why 1t should not be
| granted
| Believing the National Guard to be a
public necessity and that everything pos
sible should be done TO encourage such
| service on the part of qualified citizens.
Commissioner Macfarland says he is
heartily in favor of the proposition pend
ing in Congress for an appropriation with
|
armory on the site of the old 9th street
station. Cen Harries. Col. Brett. Maj. j.
r Dickman. 18th United States Cavalry.
| and Maj. Harvey. as explained In The
| Star apprared before the House commit
tee on public buildings and grounds Fri
| day and urged an appropriation OF 900
| for preparation OF plans
| Commissioner Macfarland. who has
taken considerable interest in this move
| a-So ar6a
| letter to Gen. HaTries:
| II earnestly hope that the bill fer an
armory for the National Guard of the
| District of Columbia Will become law
| at this session. Our National Guard has
| richly earned such an armory by its
faithful and intelligent service under
many difficulties and discoura ements.
Not the l5ast of these is the great handi-
| cap of the present inadequate rented
| quarters 1t is absurd that they afford
no room for any,ning more than com
! pany drill and inspection. and are CORE
| spondingly insufficient in every other re-
spect. Some day the National Guard will
| be again called into national service in
time of national war. The District is
proud of the fact that it has always fur
! nished more than its quota of volunteers
in every national war. and more than the
proportion furnished by most OF the
states. and it is proud of what its volun-
teers have done. They ought not to be
prevented from having the fullest and
best training for the demands of the fu-
ture. Moreover. while We have been hap
PLY free from riots or mob violence since
the present form OF government came
into operation. we may have to face the
stern necessity for the employment of the
National Guard in our civic affairs. and
it must be fully ready for such service.
believing. l do In the National
| Guard as a national necessity. according
to the policy of our people. which is to
maintain only a small regular army,
think that everything possible should be
done to encourage National Guard serv-
ice OH the part of the qualified citizens
| 1t ought to be made as comfortable and
convenient as possible. and there Should
be full opportunity for that thorough
| training which appeals to thorough men
/ feel that our District taxpayers are no,
only ready but DESTROYS to pay their full
share of the cost of an armory that would
be a credit to our city well to the
nation. If erected on the site proposed
on the north edge of the Mall. at 9th
street, 1t would be near the heart of the
city and would add to the improvements
| of the section south of Pennsylvania ave
nue., which we hope to see converted into
great park with noble buildings. The
armOry would also serve an importan,
purpose in affording opportunity for the
proper celebration of the inauguration OF
the President and Vice President fully
meeting the difficulty of providing a hal
for the inauguration ball. and also pro
viding an appropriate place in which
! large conventions of a national and inter
national character. official and private
might meet. Washington needs just such
d place. ] shall be ready to render any
service 1 can to help secure the armory
for the National capital. which. provid-
ing. as it must, for more than two regi-
ments shall be at least equal to the
splendid One-regiment armories provided
in other municipalities"
The time for selecting members of the
guard who are to contribute the brigade
rifle team for the present season is rap