Evening star., 1925-11-01
District National Guard

of the District of Columbia, which viii
he out of a home on June 80, next,
unless Congress makes some provi'
sion for q public armory or a suitable
building can be found here which can
he rented for the use Of the local
citizen soldiers in fitting themselves
for service to the country in period
of national emergency which would
necesSitate the calling out of troops.
Several weeks ago Maj. Gen. Anton
stephan, commanding the local Guard
wrote to n number of local builders
asking for suggestions from them
as to the provision Of an armory for
the local troops. They were told OF
The amount allowed in the annual ap-
propriations for the rental of such
building, and also of the fact that
the Guard could only make a lease
from year to year. The hope was
expressed that ii Congress did not
make provision outright for Govern
inent building it would make the
rental allowance sufficient as to at,
tract some builder to put up build.
ing especially for the Guard. He
thought at that time that he could
give assurances that the Guard would
occupy such a building, at least until
a suitable public armory could be
provided.
Representatives of the firm OF
Harry Wardman have been in com.
munication with Guard headquarters
regarding the armory, seeking partic
lllarly information regarding the rent
al and the length of lease that could
be made, and the type of building
needed. This information has been
furnished, but no further conferences
on the matter have yet been held. 1t
is hoped that something will grow
out of these preliminary negotiations,
as the Guard is much in need Of quar-
ters not only for the stowage of the
valuable and expensive field equip
ment of the troops but also for a
suitable drill space. At the present
time the troops have no drill hall
where even a company can be salts
faCtorily drilled, and the men must
lie sent into the public streets. a por-
tion of which is roped off from traffic
each drill night by order of the Dis
friCt Commissioners. But with the
coming Of inClement and wintry
weather many of these drills will
have to be dispensed with.
Every power and influence possible
that may be eXerted in the direction
of providing a suitable home for the
District troops. one betitting their dig
nity as the militia of the National
Capital, is being sought to aid in the
movement to provide an armory here
Efforts will be made 10 get provision
public buildings bill, and it is probable
also that separate bill will be intro
duCed at the coming session which Will
make specific provision for such an
armory. to be paid for on the appor,
tionment plan Of the District of Co
lumbia revenues bearing a proportion
Of the expense and the Federal Gov.
ernment a portion.
The armory situation in the District
~, 1kyo ~,
The National Guard Association OF the
United States, and the influence of its
members also Is being used in the di-
rectios of convincing the President
and Congress that something must be
done this year TO provide the local
troops with a suitable home.
The attainment OF the goal OF max,
ing provision for an armory It the
coming session of Congress will be the
elimination of years of effort stretch
ing back over the period TO the point
where the local Guard was organized
as a military unit. The program did
reach a stage some years ago where
Congress provided a large fund for the
preparation of plans, and these were
prepared. but they were on such a
gigantic scale that the funds for the
building were never provided. Those
in charge OF the Guard now are not
looking for a gigantic structure, but
rather simple structure. but special
" built to enable the guardsmen &c
get the maximum training and q
proper place to stow their equipme MT
where it may be quickly gotten out
during drill periods. At the present
time the equipment is only taken out
during the annual encampment, and
upon return to the armory after this
period of training the equlpme Mt
must be slowed again for another
Year.
Maj. Gen. Anton Stephan and Col
Lloyd NJ. Brett, u. S. A, retired, ad-
jutaut general of the District of Co.
lunbia Militia, are making plans TO at
tend the annual convention Of the Ma
tional Guard Association Of the United
States, which is TO be held at st.
Augustine, Fla, June IA, Is and Is,
1926. II was announced at Guard
headquarters that other officers who
contemplate going to the convention
should make reservations for accom-.
Iaodations through the office Of Brig.
Gen. j. Clifford r. Foster adjutant
general of Florida, State Arsenal, st.
Augustine, Fla.
Motor equipment OF the Guard will
be used TO aid the feet of post Office
trucks OF Postmaster Mooney during
the coming Christmas period. The
offer of the trucks has been accepted
it was said, but Postmaster Mooney
wrote that he could not guarantee
work to members of the National
Guard in driving these trucks. as re-
quested by the Guard officials. He
pointed out that the trucks would be
driven by carriers, and that when ad-
ditiunal men are put on the civil serv'
ire list must be exhausted before out
-
pose of the Guard officials in seeking
positions for the members of the
Guard was not only to put on them
men familiar with the equipment, but
also to aid members of the Guard who
are out Of work to obtain a temporary
position.
For the sixth consecutive week the
band of the 121st Engineers is head
ing the list of other organizations OF
the local Guard in the matter of at
tendance, with rating of 77.14 In
their preparations for the public con
cert TO be given by the band the mem
hers of this organization are giving
much of their time TO reh and
are working increasingly TO make this
public appearance of the band on No
1ember o a great success. The stand
IAfof the other organizations for last
week follows: Company d, l2Ist Engi
neers, 64.5l; Company A, lst Sepa
rate Battalion, 63.51; Headquarters
md Service Company, l21st Engineers
54.76; Company +, l21st Engineers
52.70; Company c. 12lst Engineers
52.45; Battery a. 260th Coast Artillery
47.69; Battery B, 260th Coast Artillery
All; 10Th Military Police Company
4I.66; Company s, 121st Engineers
1850; Medical Detachment, 121st Engi
neers, 1886; Company l., 12lst Engi
neers. 31.94 and Company A, 121st