Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1922-07-25
STATE HOUSE

Attorney General Ranstord w.
shaw in an opinion rendered Mon
day, says that the legislature in
tended 10 authorize towns to build
arr,ories with state aid for the BEN
ef. Of the National Guard. and for
the further public use and beneht
OF the same 10 the community where
the armory 10 located. the manner
and extent Of the use by the town
or city to be commensurate with the
amount OF money expended by the
municipality. The opinion was rem
dered at the request of Gov. Baxter
ANY armory built under the pro-
visions OF the act OF 1917, as amended
by the public laws OF 1914" says
Attorney General Shaw in his opin-
ion, shall be occupied as follows;
The armory shall be used subject
to the provisions Of law and the
regulations prescribed BY proper
au,hority. which in my opinion, in
olude the authority OF the federal
government and the State National
Guard.
The armory shall be for the ex-
elusive use Of the National Guard
whenever needed, without limit or
abr.dgement, but u may be used by
the municipality for any public pur-
pose when authorized by the general
regulations for the government or
armories prescribed by the Armory
Commission
IT may be used for other purposes
by special authority OF the chairman
Of the Armory Commission.
by Chapter l23. OF the public laws
~ 1921. all armories erected by State
aid shall he subject to rules and
regulations, but may be used for any
public purpose authorized by the
municipal officers, which does not
interfere With military purposes.
The remaining question IS to de-
tcrmine the powers and duties or the
ArmoIy comm ssion, and refer
tr,c TO Chapter 2o6 Section %, of
the public Laws Of 1909, VIII dis
close that the Armory Commission
is authorized TO exercise general
supervision and control over all
atmorics. drill rooms, and head
quarters offcCs. TO consult and CO.
operate with tho municipal author
tics and TO dclIso effective means
of obtaining and maintaining such
armlros' and shall have the power,
after consulting and hearing the re-
sporslhle municipal officers, to deter
mine tho administrative question OF
military suitability and adequate
maintenance Of all armories, drll
looms. Offices, and headquarters Off
ces and Il shall he their duty to
notify the responsible municipal Off
tor. Of all deficiencies in these re-
spects. and should such officers fail,
refuse. or neglect TO take effective
measures FOR providing such suitable
buildings and their maintenance. the
chairman OF the commission shall
institute prosecution prescribed by
section o.
~ i. nv opinion that full power
ls gwen 10 the Armcrv Commission
% have made and 70 approve plans
ana specifications OF such armory
tlllllTEs IS are sulldulc iDI tHc JpIut
use Of the National Guard and the
municipality where they are located.
In my opinion, tile Armory Com
mission may and should approve and
furnish plans and specifications for
any building for the joint use Of the
National Guard and the municipality.
that the town or city is willing to
erect with tho money provided by the
state under the act. | base this opin-
ION upon the theory that as the mill
tary laws arc enforced in times OF
peace. what is good for the individ-
ual is good for the state.
Il therefore advise YOU that, in my
opinion, tho Annoy commission has
INC power and Il is its duty. to make
such rules and regulations relating
10 armorics as viii allow the munich
palities where they are erected the
use ~ The same at all times when
not needed hv the National Guard"