Evening star., 1925-09-20

of the organization. 1t is proposed to
purchase a uniform similar in some
respects to that worn by the Army
Band here. Joseph a. Dodge, a mem.
Der of the organization, has been ap-
pointed general chairman of the af-
fair. 1t is the hope that the concert
may be held on either November 3
or 10.
During the tour of duty in camp at
Virginia Beach, Va, which has just
been completed, the band gave ,
number of concerts.
Seemingly fruitless efforts are being
made to find building IN Washing
ton suitable for an armory for the Ma
tional Guard and one that is behtting
it's dignity as a civilian organization
of the National Capital. Hampered as
it is now, without drill hall facilities
and forced to the street to perform its
weekly military training, the local or
ganiZation will be entirely without a
home by next July, when the lease on
the present building expires and will
not be renewed.
The assistance of the office of public
buildings and public parks of the Ma
tional Capital has been enlisted in the
efforts to find an appropriate building,
but officials there admit that a Struc-
ture absolutely suitable for the local
organization is quite hard to find.
Buildings that would be large enough
would require an enormous eXpendi-
ture to fit them for troops, and some
of the structures suggested are in out
of-the-way places, where none of the
guardsmen would desire to take their
friends for any social events they
might have.
Availability and transportation fa-
cilities must receive some conSid-
Grafton. The building must have
store rooms, a large space on the
ground floor for the storage of motor
equipment and tools of the Engineer
Regiment and for an indoor rifle
range.
Those who have been looking into
the armory situation pointed out that
the only real satisfactory armory, and
one fitting the National Capital
forces, would be a specially con-
structed one, and in view of the seri-
Gus situation which the local or
ganizations are facing for home
after the first of July will drive the
officials to make a determined fight
at the next Congress session to have
provision made for the erection of an
armory. The fight for a local armory
now covers more than a score of
years, as yet without results. While
States, it was pointed out, and even
little towns and villages, have built
armorleS for their troops, the Con-
gress has denied the Nations Capt.
tails troops a home-whereas they
should have the model armory of the
country.
The local Guard has little to attract
new enlisted personnel now in the
way of armory facilities, where the
troops can have little clubrooms and
places to invite prospective recruits
for the evening. So far as drill is
concerned, they have to spend most
of the thine in the street, and the
company quarters are cramped and
crowded, so much so that a whole
company cannot get in it's quarters at
one time. This causes delay and con-
fusion. Some of the companies have
formed clubs and use the due funds to
fit up their rooms in an attractive
manner. but the limited space makes
this difficult.
ment of young men in the Guard by
the War Department, it is feared by
officers, is going to prevent maintain
ing the organization at full strength
during the drill year, and might force
it below strength before the next an
nual encampment.
The 121st Regiment of Engineers
now has in it SOP men. while the Mill
tia Bureau has placed a limit of AIS
on the strength. However, they are
not required to Immediately discharge
these men, but have been informed