Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-05-24
URGE ARM0RY HERE
Gen. Evans and Col. Harvey
Before Senate Committee.
ITS NECESSITY EXPLAINED
Would Be Means of Defense Against
Mobs and in Time of War.
SITE ON MALL SELECTED
Location Would Be Between 18th
and 18th Streets-Inadequat
Quarters Now.

AS a means of defense of the National
Capital against mob attacks, as well as
by foreign foes, the construction of an
armory for the National Guard. of the
District Of Columbia along the north side
of the Mall between 9TH and 18th streets
northwest was urged before the Senate
committee on public buildings and grounds
today The hearing was on the Gallinger
bill authorizing the Secretary of War
to let contracts for the construction of
an armory to cost $l.75O.OOO and appro-
rriating $4,000 to begin work on the
foundations of the building.
Present armory facilities of the District
National Guard were roundly condemned,
both by Col. w. E. Harvey. I'd Regiment.
n. G. D. c., and by Brig. Gen. Robert
X. Evans. U. S. j.. chief of the division
of militia affairs of the War Department.
Both urged the needs of an adequate
armory in the National Capital, not only
ad squate for the local militia organiza-
tons. but as model for armory facilities
in the states. E. c. bitchfield, architect,
of New York, explained the architectural
features of the proposed armory, to show
that ii would harmonic with the public
buildings in Washington, and would be
possible of adequate defense from mob Or
foreign foe.
senator f1cyDu TdlScu IH6 question
whether the building should be an armory
or a fortress.
The idea Of making it fortress is an
exploded idea" replied Col Harvey
When do you commence the modern
era?" questioned Senator Hepburn.
Il think the idea has been accepted
since the civil war replied Col. Harvey,
that the force that takes the offensive
has the advantage. The idea now is to
have the armory secure from the mob
and the arms SO safeguarded that they
cannot be obtained by the mob.
That is just my pcint," replied Sena-
tor Hepburn. Conditions are becoming
such in this country that we don't know
whether we are going to be attacked by
the mob or by foreign foe"
Recalls Pittsburgh Riots.
Senator Hepburn recalled the riots in
Pittsburgh about forty years ago. when
he was in command Of company Of the
militia; and at that time. he said, the
armory became a fortress, for the mob
tried to get possession Of the armory and
take the arms.
This armory we plan would be secure
from mob attack Col. Harvey explained.
In response to questions by Senator
Sutherland. Col. Harvey explained that
the taking of the site proposed-the north
streets-vould necessitate the removal of
greenhouses Of the Department of Agri-
culture and of a brick stable.
Senator Sutherland then wanted to
know what objection there was to using
the south side of the Mall between 9th
and 7th streets-the south end OF the
square originally intended for the armory
las the site for the building.
1T is smaller and there Is not room
enough for the building of the size re-
CURED" replied Col. Harvey.
The original site, the north end Of the
Mall strip between 9Th and 7th streets
he explained. is $50 feet by 40 feet; the
south end square is $50 feet by 43U feet.
The original site for the armory, Col
by the Burnham commission was along
18th street between Pennsylvania avenue
and street. But that site had been pre-
empted for buildings for the departments
of justice and commerce and labor. That
commission did contemplate q large
building along the north side Of the Mall
between 10Th and 18th streets that may
be the armory and still be in harmony
with the commissions plans.
Col. Harvey was strong in his condem-
nation of the present quarters of the
local militia.
Condemns Present Quarters.
For a quarter Of a century" he said,
cit has struggled along without any
proper provision being made for housing
1t. 1t has been quartered in rented
buildings OF various sorts. none of which
have afforded the requisite facilities for
training the troops and caring Tor the
equipment which Is property OF the Unit.
ed States.
The entire unsatisfactory and even
|discreditable accommodations for this or
ganization have been commented upon
year after year by the inspecting officers
of the United States Army. A personal