Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1919-02-06

T eWistOn were told to the mliltai! al
fairs committee in long nearing
Wednesday afternoon. Great empha-
sis was placed by all those who spoke
upon the unsafe condition OF the
present armory. The presence Oh
many men who had been overseas
and in other branches OF the war
service in the past two years. VINO
voiced their views of the need OF TINS
armory added to the interesting OF
the hearing.
Charles b. Carter of Lewiston con-
Quoted the hearing in behalf OF the
city. He called attention to the fact
that the resolve for the armory, which
was introduced by Senator John NJ.
Googin Of Lewiston, called for an ap-
preparation of $4,000 to be used in
this work. He reviewed previous leg
islation on this subject and the fact
that two years ago $4,000 was ap-
propriated for an armory in Lewis
ton. but that it had not been built.
Under the national defense act the
companies Of the National Guard
could only obtain certain very essen
tial equipment by the State owning
their armories. Lewiston had a site
for this armory which was worth $685.
600 and which it was ready to deed
over to the State.
The erection of such an armory
would be for the good of the return
ing soldiers from overseas. 1t would
help to hold their interest in military
matters. This would build UP and
maintain our splendid National
Guard. This, too, would be part OF
the great work of building up fine
reserve army for the nation.
Major James L. Moriarty, inspector
general of the National Guard Of
Maine for the past 10 years. told the
committee that with single excep-
tio1. the armories Of Maine were a
lEakeshift.
Under the national defense act. he
said, Maine would be asked to fur
nish a National Guard OF $500, or
500 for each congressman and senn
tor from the state. This it would have
TO do in the year 1920.
The building In Lewiston used for
an armory had never been adequate
for the purpose. It was not large
enough for even one company and
most Of the time It was in an unsani-
tary condition: q place it was I'M
reasonable to ask a man to put in his
time for the purpose of gaining Il
military education.
In answer to a question by SEN
ator Gannett, Maj. Moriarty said
that it was impossible to drill more
than one platoon in the armory, so
that with the 113 men in the present
company of the Third Maine one
platoon was forced to drill in City
Hall. He further said that when
Lewiston and Auburn used to have
three National Guard companies the
average number Of men per company
was about SO.
Senator Cobb-How many men
would Lewiston have under the new
national defence law?
Maj. Moriarty-We would furnish a
battalion.
Senator Gannett-Do you believe it
would be good policy to build arm
cries when we do not know what the
national policy will be?
Maj. Moriarty-Yes. I do. will
say that if the National Guard should
be done away with, which after the
showing it has made in the war no
thinking man will believe possible.
we will have to have a State guard of
some kind.
Rep. Berry-Is the present armory
q safe place for men to drill in?
Maj. Moriarty-It is not. With a
company of men marching in the
drill hall it shakes the whole struc-
ture so that it is impossible to do
clerical work on the floor below. I
would not be surprised at any time
to see the building collapse unde: the
strain
Maj. Moriarty expressed the belief
that the construction of such an arm
Dry as was asked would have a good
effect upon the returning soldiers.
He thought they expect to see such a
structure. It would be the best me-
mortal possible in his judgment.
Harold v. Wilson. secretary Of the
Chamber of Commerce of Lewiston,
said they planned no long speeches.
but they were going to show the
committee than an armory was need
cd and that Lewiston wanted II. The
presence of the large delegation of
busy men who had left their business
to attend the hearing was proof of
that.
Mayor LeInaire Of Lewiston in a
very brief speech said that Lewiston
had a site for the armory on Bates
street. 1t was worth $4,000 and that
if 1t wasn't of sufficient size the city
would make it so. He said that Lew
iston sent 1900 men into the service.
1t was one of the big places of the
State and present armory conditions
were disgrace.
Asked by Senator Gannett what he
thought the city's attitude would he
should the State pay for half the build
ing, Mayor Lemaire answered that was
was something which he had never. cor
sidered. 1t seemed to him that if the
city gave the site it was doing its share.
as the building became the exclusiv.
property of the State.
Maj. d. NJ. Bates. agent of the Lew
iston Bleachery & Dye Co.. who has
Just returned to civilian life from ser
vices during the war. in brief but elo-
quent talk told Of the change in senti-
ments Of Is months. He said that the
men who had been in the service had
come back with a desire to keep in
closer touch with military affairs; 70