Evening star., 1914-03-01
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80
t~ UGH adverse. comment upon
IN n the poor ar1nory facilities to
uU which the officers and enlisted
men Of the National Guard
| of the District of Columbia
are forced to invite their guests for cere-
monies was heard during the presenta-
ton of service medals and prizes won at
the rife matches at Congress Heights
last fall, last Wednesday night. Repre-
sentative Julius Kahn of California,
chairman Of the National Defense League
and a strong friend of the local National
Guard. and Assistant Secretary Breckin-
ridge Of the War Department. who pre-
sented the medals and prizes. both called
attention to the poor arnory facilities.
Representative Kahn, along with other
guests Of the officers and enlisted men.
were forced to keep on their overcoats
and hats during the ceremonies. and AS
sistant Secretary Breckinridge called for
his overcoat after he had been in the
armory short while.
1t Is such arnory facilities which keep
the local National Guard from reaching
| organizations are scattered about the city
in dilapidated quarters. many Of them
just as cold as the limited facilities at the
Center Market a1mory. Every other city
where there is a national guard organixa-
ton has fine armory facilities. but the
National Guard Of the Capital city is
| forced to live in very poor quarters, de-
clared Brig. Gen. George H. Harries
commanding the District OF Columbia
militia. following the ceremonies last
Thursday night.
+, The matter Of getting an armory for
the District soldiery is to be brought
to a head at this session of Congress, it
Is pointed out. and there are persons in
| close touch with congressional affairs
who are confident that it will be passed.
Winfield Jones, secretary Of the National
I Defense League, Of which Mr.. Kahn is
chairman. predicted last Thursday night
while standing in the frigid atmosphere
| OF the drill hall at the Center Market
arlnory. that the provision for fine
armory which would house all of the
various organizations OF the local Ma
| tfonal Guard would be made by the
present Congress: William F.. GUIDE.
president Of the Washington Chamber of
| Commerce, speaking before the Corcoran
| Cadets Veteran Association recently, de-
| clared that the armory for the National
| Guard Of the District Of Columbia was
nearer a reality than many supposed:
He declared that he knew Of several
congressman who not only were talking
for an armory, but were working hard
| for it.
| Brig Gen. George H Harries, COM
manding the District Of Columbia mill
| tia, came to Washington last Tuesday
| and remained until Wednesday night.
Much Of his time was spent at the brig
! ade headquarters of the National Guard
| Of the District of Columbia In The Star
building. where many matters OF interest
to the local National Guard were brought
to his attention and were disposed of.
I
| The next big event on the National
Guard calendar will be the annual inspec-
tions by officers Of the United States
Army and Mai. Leroy Heron, ~inspsctor
| general of the National Guard of the
District Of Columbia. These will begin
about the middle Of next month and will
continue on through until April
Officers Of the various organizations
composing the National Guard of the
District Of Columbia are making prepara-
| tions for the inspecting officers. Muster
rolls are to be PREPARED and other data
relating to the various organizations will
have to be compiled.
The annual target practice for the Ma
/ tional Guard of the District Of Columbia
| on the Congress Heights range, it was
declared by Lieut.. Col. A. L. Parmerter,
adjutant general undoubtedly will be
! held before the LIST of July. If pf2ns now
being made can be completed. the firing
| will begin in May, and will be continued
| over into June. 1t was pointed out by
| Col. Parmerter that at the target prac-
| tice of 1918 it was difficult to provide for
all Of the men in each command by allow.
| ing only two days at the range. Efforts
| will be made this year to allow longer
period, so that the men can obtain better
results with the rife. '--' :.
| II v q
sergt. Emil Walter, U. s. A., retired,
1 h1, -
I. Drew as a clerk in National Guard
headquarters. Sergt. Walter has been
in the regular army for nearly thirty
years. and is thprougly familiar with the
I signed to accept the position of adju-
| tant and inspector of the home for dis
abled volunteer soldiers and sailors at
lLeavenworth. Kan. He will be commits
leave for his post tomorrow evening. as
he is ordered to report there not later
than March 5.
| Sergt. Drew has made himself popular
among the officers and enlisted men of the
| local National Guard during the time
he has been here.
The National Guard of the District of
Columbia was well represented at the
ceremonies at Alexandria last Monday in
ington's birthday. The weather was
| bitter cold. and the marching was hard,
and most Of It was done with but little
food. The officers were invited to the
buffet luncheon which had been arrang-
ed for them by the committee. but when
it was found that neither coffee nor sand
fwiches had been provided for the men
the officers declined to partake Of the
luncheon.
After striving for several months to
obtain new and larger quarters the work
of the officers of Company x, I'd Infan-
try. has been rewarded by their being as
signed a large section on the first floor
in the front part Of the boys building of
the Y. NJ. C. A. For many months this
company has been getting military train
ing under difficulties its quarters being
crowded and insanitary and totally unfit
for the use to which they were being
: put Many times the men were forced
to give up drills on account Of the severe
cold.
However. this company has progressed
under difficulties. but with its new home
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