Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1924-05-20

Projects for World War Memorial
building for the City of Augusta,
which would incorporate armory ia
cilities for the local companies Of the
Maine National Guard, were present
ed for the information and interested
consideration of the members of the
American Legion, who of course are
most'vita1ly interested, at the regular
melting of the James Fitzgerald post,
Monday evening.
Adjutant General James W. Hanson
explained in detail the part which the
State Of Maine would assume in the
construction and maintenance of any
building which would provide armory
facilities. Captain Lester NJ. Hart of
the Headquarters Company, seth In
/ fantry Brigade, presented the eco
nomic value which an armory build
ing would have for the community.
Frank E. Southland, the representa-
tive of the Legion on the Form of
Memorial committee addressed the
meeting on the cooperation necessary
on the part of the war veterans to
bring the memorial project to culni-
. nation, and George r. Weber, also
of the James Fitzgerald post empha-
sized the necessity of approaching the
issue from the attitude that first Of
all the erection of any kind of build
ing should be with fitting memorial
as the primary purpose.
The Adjutant GeneraAdescribed the
armory situation in the State of
,, Maine. pointed out the absolute ne
cessity for the immediate construc-
ton of armories in all cities and
towns where National Guard COM
panies are maintained. He empha-
| sized the need of a definite policy for
such an armory construction pro-
gram. and then localized the talk by
showing just what the state armory
commission could do to assist finan-
cially and in an architectural advis-
! DRY capacity in the building of me-
mortal armory in this city, which
| would make due provision for the
| housing of patriotic and veteran or
CARNATIONS, records and archives, as
| we'll as solve the armory problem, for
| the local guard companies.
Captain Hart Favors Armory
Il talked with prominent bank man
| the OTHER day." said Capt. Hart in
| opening his remarks. land he surprised
me in his attitude. I did not know
that he favored an armory. But he
who marched away. in 1917 had asked
half million dollars for an armory,
then, the people of Augusta would
have been glad to raise the fund When
! they came home. if they had asked for
| an armory they could have had it. But
! the years have passed; people have for
! gotten the service these men performed
, and they are Indifferent to what it
means to have an armory in the city.
; But shouldn't they wake up? Shouldn't
! they realize what great amount Of
! good would result? Can the Capital
City of Maine afford NOT to have an
armory? l think not
THE remarks of this banker brought
! to my mind those words Of Kipling on
I his poem Tommy:
while it's Tommy this, an Tommy
! that. b.,
An Tommy, fall behind"
! BIT it's please to walk in front, sir.
| When there's trouble in the wind.
| There's trouble in the wind, my boys.
| There's trouble in The wind,
/ o it's please to walk in front sir"
| When there's trouble in the wind
Captain Hart discussed the need of
an armory from an economic stand
point. From the two National Guard
organizations now in Augusta. the
Headquarters Company, SGth Infantry