Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1918-11-04
D. c. GUARD BILL
TOBE SIGNED SOON
Today or Tomorrow Presi-
dent Is Expected to Attach
Signature to Measure.
OVER $500 WILL ENLIST

President Wilson is expected today
or tomorrow to sign the District of
Columbia National Guard bill, which
creates a new District guard in place
Of the old District guard which is now
overseas
Brig. Gen. Richard D. Simms, COM
handing the District militia, is tax
ing steps to organize the first new
regiment. and 1t is probable that a
second regiment will follow the first.
There will be machine gun companies,
hospital corps. separate colored bat
TALON and a naval battalion. Already
more than 1.100 men have enrolled for
the new guard. Between $500 and
5000 men will be enlisted
Ages Can Be Fixed.
forty-five ages can enlist in the new
guard, the legislation providing that
the ages of enlistment can be fixed
by the commanding general, subject
to the Presidents approval.
Service in the new guard is only in
the District Of Columbia. and, in event
it is called into active service. only in
the adjacent states of Maryland and
Virginia, so that anybody in Wash
ington now enlisting in the new gtiard
into the federal service. but win
serve only in the National Capital.
Men who wish to enlist under the
regular National Guard law, for six
years. can do SO If they desire.
Men under the eighteen-year draft
age and over the forty-five-year draft
age can join, that is young men OF
seventeen or men over forty-five car
now give limited military service in
the new guard.
There will be drills one night a
week. but the armory, 472 L street
will be open, after Wednesday next
every night to members of the guard,
where they can enjoy advantages of a
good gymnasium, clubrooms and in
door rifle range. The guard also has
a nne open-air rifle range at Congress
Heights. Men within the eighteen
forty-f1ve draft ages can enlist in the
new guard and receive valuable pre-
liminary military drill and instruc-
ton which will fit them for non
commissioned officers and in some in
stances commissions when they are
drafted into the National Army, the
Navy or Marine Corps. Such men
when they join the National Army, the
Navy or the Marine Corps will re-
ceive an honorable discharge from
the new District guard. This dis.
charge, showing that they have re-
ceived military instruction, will be q
valuable asset to them in the regular
service.
Armory Is Kept Open.
Washington business men who. be.
cause of business. family ties or age
can give only limited military serv.
ice to their country will now find the
opportunity open to them for sucf
service The armory is open every
night, where information concerning
the service can be obtained from of.
ficers between and 10 o'clock anl
also during the daytime.
An appropriation of more than
$4,000 is available for the expenses
Of the new guard during the next
fiscal year.
The citizens who obtained this leg
tslation and the new guard for
Simms is a veteran of the war with
Spain. serving with the District
regiment In the Santiago campaign
He has been an officer of the Ma
tional Guard for more than twenty
i've years, and is treasurer of the
Capital Traction Company. Lieut.. Col
E. Lester Jones is now in France
was chief Of the coast and geodetic
survey. Capt. Winfield Jones. a
Spanish war veteran of the Porte
Rican campaign, and a former Officer
of the National Guard, is a member
Of the congressional press gallery
man of the National Guard commit
tee Of thu Chamber of Commerce
Gen. Simms is expected soon to an
nounce tho officers Of the new
guard A number have already been
appointed.