Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1923-12-12

building that would serve admirably
and could be erected at sum not
to exceed $4,000, this being based
on the cost of materials two years
ago. Such a building would contain
a good sized drill hall. OF course, q
larger building would be necessary
II 1t were to be an armoyy and audi
forum with hall space large enough
to take care of gatherings which are
now held at City Hall. For 100000
a combined armory and auditorium
could be constructed that would not.
only provide fine quarters for the
military organizations. but '--r'''1 in
clude a hall somewhat larger than
the auditorium of Augusta City hall.
Inadequate Facilities At Present
Augusta has not anything that
will approach an armory for the
training of the infantry organiZa-
tions," said General Hanson. Com
pany F of the 103rd Infantry Is loca-
ted in City hall in quarters that are
cramped and more or less restricted
and has not good armory facilities.
The Headquarters Company of the
seth Infantry Brigade has had its
quarters in the old engine house on
Grove street but / am having the
building that was formerly the quar-
termaster's fixed up for that outfit.
Though that will be much better
than the former quarters, it will not
be big enough, BUT it is the best we
can do for the present"
General Hanson pointed out that
although there are only two military
organizations in Lewiston, Company
E. and H. of the 103rd Infantry, the
ne warmory in that city was built
to take care of the needs of four
companies. 1t is building measuring
about ESQ by 300 feet and contains
an auditorium or drill hall 1862 by 109
feet. The auditorium has a seating
capacity of 1900. In the two Lewis
ton companies there are six officers
and about 145 men.
In the two companies located in
Augusta there are five officers and
about 10 enlisted men. Quarters
should also be provided for Brigadier
General Albert Greenlaw, commander
of the seth Infantry Brigade, Gen.
Hanson stated yesterday.
Maine Buard Must Grow
The National Guard in this state
must grow in accordance with the
National Defense Act passed June 3,
1920, General Hanson asserted. I'm
der this act the Maine Guard de-
present standing of about $3.50 men
to $500 men before June 80, 1926. II
this is not done, the president can
advise the withdrawal of all govern
ment aid for military purposes and
the taking away of all government
military equipment in the state.
General Hanson feels certain that the
men can be secured in the time
specified, but states that this increase
will be made gradually.
OF the $325,000 expended for the
new armory in Lewiston and its fur
nishings, the State of Maine stands
ready to pay S65, 900 under the pro-
visions of Section , of Chapter 239
of tn cPublic Laws of 1919. By this
law, the state may reimburse any city
or town constructing an armory in
compliance with the terms of the
act to an amount equal to one-half
of the cost of constructing such
building, the total reimbursement not
to exceed a total of 100000 for any
one city or town, provided that the
city or town shall have deposited
with the state treasurer recorded
deed conveying to the state a good
and sufficient title to the armory lot
and building and provided further,
RIGS shall be erected Iuling the two
year term of any Legislature.
City and State Armories
Thus it is clear that when the
state reimburse any city or town for
money eXpendede for building an ar
mory, the building becomes the prop
erty of the state and as such its up
keep must be paid for by the state
and any money received for renting
of the auditorium or other parts of
the building belongs TO the state.
Its management is under the armory
commission.
The Slst Legislature made provis-
ion for reimbursing the city of Lew
iston to the amount of $4,000
(S50.000 towards the cost of the
building, and $4,000 for equipment.
and this we'll be paid to that city
when the armory is turned over to
the state. Lewiston raised the mon
ey for the armory through an order
of the city governnent rather than
by private subscriptions, and Cen
eral Hanson stated that by shrewd
management the financing was done
so that there was no increase in the
tax rate.
The question of an armory in the
problem in the face of other needs of
the city including new school houses,
and If it is seriously contemplated.
then will come the question of wheth-
er it should be built entirely by the
city and be the property of the city.
or whether it should c constructed
under the provision ny which the
state may reimburse the city up to
the amount of S5O,o00 and thus have
possession of the building. Should
it be an armory alone. or building
large enough to he used by the cit
liens for auditorium purposes" The
entire proposition seems to center on
the question of whether an armory
is Augustus most pressing need in.
the line of new civic construction.
s1nkEv