Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1917-02-09
MILITARY AFFAIRS
Need of a State Armory at Lewiston
Presented at Length

owned armorv buildings in Malne-and
especially of one in Lewiston, where
the present armory, according to Adju-
! tant General Presson, wouldn't make
| y descent barn'-was emphasized at
an interminable hearing Thursday aft
! ernoon before the committee on mill
tary affairs.
This hearing was called for the spe-
cific purpose OF considering resolve
appropriating coo for an armory IN
Lewiston; but it developed the need OF
armories everywhere else throughout
Maine, except in Portland, one expert
after another stating without reserVa-
/ ton that the condition under when
/ the national guard is forced to drlll
are more than Geplorable.
| Some of our armories." said Genef-
al Presson, ARE not much better than
4 barns The State loses $4,000 worth OF
equipment yearly. simply because thefe
is no adequate means of guarding
against theft
Charles B. Carter. Esq, who APP
feared for the proponents, outlined the
purposes 'of the resolve, which pro-
vides for the erection Of Lewiston
armory under the supervision of
commission of FIVE appointed by the
Governor-this commission, in turn, be-
| ing responsible to, and working under
J instructions from the State Armory
Commission The building is to be two
stories, with reading and reception
rooms, dining room, kitchen. Off
/ cors' quarters, bowling alley and drill
hall IS by 100 feet 1t is to be occupied
by the city's present two companies of
coast artillery.
1T is needless for me to emphasize
perhaps on the eve of a great war, the
practical need of preparedness" said
Mr.. Mccarthy. I'VE require trained
men who may be called upon in an
emergency; and the only feasible way
/ Of getting them is through a national
/ guard.
! "A few years go Lewiston had four
| companies. But its so-called armory-
/ located on the top floor of an old
| building 50 unsantary that condi-
| tons are deplorable and 50 unsafe that
it shakes during drill, and may almost
! collapse at any time-has been reSpon-
! sible for a steady decline in interest
| And the four companies have dwin-
died to two. neither of which are rec
ognized by the government because
they are below required strength.
For each company which the gov
eminent recogniZes-that is. each COM
pany of required strength and eficien-
cy-the government under its new leg
islaticn, allows the State $4,000 per wear
! Therefore, all other considerations
aside. the armorv would pay for itself
| in a comparatively short time. But be
! fore these companies can be recruited
up to strength there must he volun-
teers. to get volunteers. there must be
! adequate accommodations"
Lewiston" continued Mr. Carter. "is
! the logical place to begin the construc-
ton of this chain of armories. Portland,
which Is Names largest city, is provided
! for and Lewiston is the second largest
city. Moreover in the recruiting of the
national guard volunteers come more
readily from manufacturing centers than
from rural or commercial communities
and Lewiston, admittedly. is Names
great industrial center"
The city, Mr.. Carter went on to say,
is not in a condition to contribute to the
. building fund; but it has a centrally To-
Gated lot 100 by 200 feet which it is pre-
pared to donate just as soon as the re
solve is passed. And this armory would
be available to the company in Auburn,
as we'll as to the one in Brunswick
| Il don't See ended Mr.. Carter, "how
this committee can help being in favor.
Every state in New England has built
these armories-except Maine. And there
is no question but that the need for them
in Maine is very, very great"
! Capt. E. w. Niles, U. S. A., of the Coast
Artillery Corps. explained the present
status of the national guard. 1t is to all
intents and purposes, said he, national
organization supported by the govern
ment, which supplies it's equipment and
, pays its men. The government recog-
| nizes. however. the right of each state
to use its guard in case of an emergen-
cy. and in return for granting this re.
quires one thing: The state must CON-
struct its own armories. The govern
ment Will supply the equipment. but #
won't supply the place in which TO nut
or De responsible for its loss.
In the case of each comnanv uh,o, ..
recognizes the government furnishes The