Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1917-01-26
REPORT OF SPECIAL
ARMORY COMMISSION
TO THE LEGISLATURE

~ InE LEUlOLHiUnL
The report of Col. James L. Moriarty
of Lewiston, Col Charles II. Osgood of
Lewiston and Col Adelbert J. Stearns
of Norway comprising special com
mission appointed by the Legislature
of 1915 to investigate the armory con-
ditions in the State of Maine was on
Thursday submitted to the 18th Leg
islature, as follows:
"The conditions under which the Off
GERS and men of the National Guard
and the property in their care are
housed in Maine are such that with
the exception of the city of Portland
it is apparent that there is urgent
need of Improvement Other methods
have been tried without success and
it appears that the only satisfactory
solution of existing conditions will be
had through the creation of state arm
cries at state expense.
Outside of the city of Portland there
is not today single armory with facil-
tiles for caring for the property Of the
companies occupying them if raised to
the required war strength. There is
i'Ncly plobdDiIIty vi lpSS tllSulJS from
fire or theft, loss which the state
will be required to make good if the
property is issued by the fedral gov
eminent Such surroundings as now
exist in nearly all of the armories OF
the state besides being insufficient to
care properly for the property housed
therein are also such as to have a
marked effect for the worse upon the
securing of recruits for the various
companies which make up the National
Guard
after careful consideration of the
subject and study of existing condi-
tons, looking also towards the changes
! which are already in view in regard to
! the National Guard we recommend
that d system of state created and
state maintained armories be inaug-
urated in Maine. We further recon-
mend that during the present year an
armory be erected al Lewiston at state
expense.
Lewiston al one time was the great
est military center in the state 1t
maintained four companies and inter-
est in the work was keen among the
soldiers enrolled therein. Probably
the greatest factor in the change which
has taken place is the lack of suitable
armory facilities. The city of Lewis
ton. although it has since increased
materially in population can now sup
port but two companies and it is diff
+ cult to maintain two companies under
present armory conditions. The pres
ent accommodations there are far from
satisfactory. The Lewiston armory is
not sanitary, is poorly lighted and
heated and is considered unsafe. The
4 city officials have tried for Years to
provide a better and more suitable
armory but have been unable to bring
about the much needed Improvement.
The city is willing and anxious to as
sist the state in the erection of an
armory there. The city has already
provided well located and suitable
lot 100 by 200 feet in size. The city
government has already voted to give
this lot to the state. the only condition
being that the state build an armorv
thereon. The lot according to the pre-
vailing real estate values there is
worth from $4,000 to $4,000 and is
well suited for the proposed purpose.
Under the direction of this commits
sion and at it's suggestion tentative
plans for Lewiston armory have been
pronared by Architect Coombs of that
city. The proposed structure will COW
er practically the entire lot and will
be model of convenience and eff
cheney for the purpose for which the
building is intended. If this armory
is erected it will be occupied by the
two companies of the Coast Artillery
! Corps now located in Lewiston. Upon
its completion the federal government
will equip the building with the latest
guns and accessories at a cost to the
federal government of from 500, 900 to
s1500OO.
Under a Federalzed National Guard
the troops are to be used by the state
for riot. invasion, fire and flood. At
the same time the troops arc to he
fully supplied and equipped by the
Federal government. All that Is re-
quired Of The state is that it provide
suitable places for armories and that
proper care be given the Federal
equipment and property. In the near
future Federal property valued at from
100000 10 $500, 900 is to be landed here
and the state will be held strictly ac
countable and responsible for its safe
Keeping including losses from fire. theft
and other causes. Suitable storage
facilities are lacking
The minimum size of the companies
composing the National Guard is e5
men. On June 30, 1917 this will be in
creased to So men and on June 30, 1918
VIII again be raised to 100 men It
Is evident from the foregoing figures
that present armory accommodation
nave to be increased substantially be-
fore June 80. 1918. This increase pro-
Vioed Tor by the defense act of June
J. 1916 calls for steady increase in the
membership Of that portion of the Ma
tional Guard to be furnished by the
state of Maine. On June 80. 1917 a
strength Of 1900 enlisted men is re-