The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1917-01-17
GRAYS' ARM0RY GRANT
IN BR|GHT'S HANDS
Commander of First Regiment May
Decide Whether or Not Auto
Dealers May Use Building.
BLUES ARMoRY is AVAILABLE
Major Bright Still Firmer In Objection
When He Learns Blues Armory
Can Re uscd-Major Cary Resigned
for Similar Cause.

Unless Major Bright. commander of
the First Virginia Regiment. notifies
the Administrative Board that he has
withdrawn his objections to the Grays'
Armory being used by the Richmond
automobile dealers for their auto
show January q to February 3, the
grant of the armory building will not
be made. according to John Hirsch-
berg, chairman OF the board. Mr.
Hirschberg said yesterday that the
board had nothing further to do in
the matter. ami that the whole ques-
ton lay with Major Bright
AT a hearing OF the matter yester-
day morning. following the action OF
the City Council. in concurrence with
the Board of Aldermen. in asking the
Administrative Board to allow the
dealers to use the armory, Major
Bright stated that he wished to sus-
tain his objection to the permit issued.
II was later learned that an expert
had offered to take the contract for
hosting all cars into the Biues' Ar
mory, which had been granted by the
board, and at the same price fixed
for moving the cars into the Grays'
Armory. 1t was further stated that
the Blues Armory could afford more
floor space than the Grays'. Upon
learning this. Major Bright stated that
"N'NoNAcho "Sie lU6li ever.
Have Nothing to Say.
Representatives of the auto dealers.
asked yesterday whether or not any
decision had been delivered to them by
Major Bright stated that they had
nothing to say in the matter. 1t may
be known today, when the Admins
trative Board meets. whether or not
the commanding officer has reconsid-
cred the matter and will give his as
sent to the use of the armory for the
automobile exhibition.
The armory controversy recalls a
similar situation in 1909 which re-
suited in the resignation from office
of Major Hunsden Cary. at that time
commander of the Grays, because the
use of the armory was granted to pri-
vate parties over Major Cary's protest
The occasion arose when a local church
organization requested permission to
hold bazaar in the armory. and Ma
jor Cary denied this request. stating
that on two other occasions such per-
mission had been granted to other
churches. and the result was found to
be very unsatisfactory.
Church Appealed.
The church appealed to the Grounds
and Buildings COMMITTEE of the Coun-
Gil, stating that other organizations
had obtained the privilege of conduct
ing their benefit affairs in the build
ing. and asked the committee to over
rule the decision of the commanding
officer. Major Cary insisted before the
committee that the use of the military
quarters for such private purposes was
detrimental to the discipline of the
troops and interfered with the pur-
pose for which the building had been
erected by the city.
In spite of The protest of the Off
GER in charge. his decision in the mat
ter was laid aside. and the church
granted permission to hold their ba-
xaar on the drill floor Of the military
post. Believing such practices contrary
to all theories of good discipline and
good military form. Major Cary re-
signed his post. and was succeeded by
Major Price. the immediate predecessor
Of the present commander. Major
Bright