Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1925-03-29
LOCAL GUARD HELD
DESERVING OF PAY
Record Among Best in Coun-
try-Training Effect
Is Cited.

The suggestion that the deficiency
appropriation of s1,300,000 to cover
armory drill pay for members of the
National Guard throughout the
United States during the remainder
of the fiscal year. not be disbursed
has brought forth an announcement
that the local and nearby citizen
soldiery in particular, deserve better
treatment.
Attention is directed TO the fact
that the 2sth National Guard Divis-
Ion. commanded by Maj. Gen. Anton
Stephan, lifelong Washingtonian.
and composed of the National Guard
troops OF the District of Columbia
Maryland and Virginia. is the first of
the National Guard divisions not
limited to one State to complete it's
organization. Particularly is this
true of the division staff. which has
been organized and has functioned
as such for a year or more.
The 29th Division staff, made up of
officers located in widely scattered
points throughout Maryland and Vir-
ginia, as we'll as in this city, not
only assembled here for conference.
but hell two instruction camps at
Virginil Beach, Va, last Summer.
Throughout the Winter regular divis-
ion staff instruction has been the
the Regular Army and a graduate of
the Leavenworth School, alternating
his visits among Baltimore, Rich
mond and this city Tuesday evenings.
An elaborate maneuver was held
Saturday, from l o'clock pm. to
o'clock pm, most of the division stan
officers being present, those from out
of town coming at their own ex-
pense.
supervision of Sd Corps Area head
quarters, located in Baltimore. The
division has its CT Ca" ''G-S"
and Ca" and other heads Of de-
partments, organized and functioning,
the idea being that should hostilities be
declared tomorrow the 29th National
Guard Division could take the field
with It's administrative machinery
moving smoothly, without lost motion
and without loss OF time in getting
the motor started.
The program last Summer was
crowded with practical work in the
field. The plan for the coming out
door effort provides for the active CO.
operation of the Signal Corps and the
Engineer Corps. Combat positions In
the field will be established. with sig
nal communication in operation. Mes
sages will be received and answers
sent the conditions of actual warfare
being simulated as closely as posi-
BILE in time of peace.
AS explained, the 29th Division
is declared TO be the first Of the Ma
tional Guard divisions composed Of units
not all of which are located within the
borders of one State to organize and
function.
The effort has been, and is, to
make the 29th National Guard
Division a model for the entire
country" Maj. Gen. Stephan said to-
day. This city is the Capital of the
Nation. Washington is honored by
having the headquarters of the divi-
sion allocated to IT.
ave are frightfully handicapped by
lack of armory facilities, but are
hoping that Congress, at it's next ses-
sion, will come to our relief with an
appropriation for a suitable structure.
We cannot believe that such a blow
will be struck now as to deprive us
of the armory drill pay, so sorely
needed. Should we be compelled to
eliminate even a few of the remain
ing armory drills scheduled for the
balance of the fiscal year, the i'm
portant work in the field the coming
Summer will suffer from a severe
handicap.
I'VE want an armory for the Ma
tional Guard of the District of Co
lumbia that will be model for the
entire country, and we want the 18th
National Guard Division, with head
quarters at the National Capital, to
be the outstanding organization of
its kind in the United States. We are
doing everything in our power to at
tain the ends mentioned. but we need
encouragement and we need help.
Discouragement and handicaps are
not desired"