Evening star., 1925-11-22

that your recommendation will pro-
vide for adequate armory facilities.
An armory was recently constructed
by Pennsylvania for one battalion of
Field Artillery at cost of 500, 900.
exclusive of the ground. Our organ
izasion comprises approximately eight
times as many units as battalion of
field artillery.
The project has the Endorsement of
the Commissioners, as well as trade.
civic and patriotic bodies In the Dis
trict of Columbia.
I'VE have been notified TO vacate
our present quarters on June 80. 1926.
and | do not believe that suitable
quarte1s can be leased for the $40, 900
appropriation recommended.
There is inclosed a statement show
ing the need for the proposed armory
and giving a history of prior action in
the matter"
The history of the fight which has
been waged for years by the local
guard to get permanent home for
itself so that it would not be kicked
about and have to obtain it's training
for field service under difficult condi-
tions is most interesting.
The organized militia of the Dis
trict of Columbia" said this state
ment, was originally orga nized un-
der the act of Congress TO more eff
fectually provide for the orga nization
of the militia Of the District OF Co.
lumbia,' approved March 3. 1903.
The orga nization continued under this
act until reorganized under the act of
Congress approved March !, 1883,
and is now operating under that act
as amended February Is, 1909.
THE national defense act provides
for the esta blishment of the National
Guard as a component part of the
Army of the United States, organized
and trained for the defense of the
country at all times. 1t is required
that the National Guard shall be
maintained as an efficient fighting
force Immediately available to engage
in active field operations in case of
a national emergency requiring troops
other than the Regular Army. The
States are required 10 provide and
maintain suitable armory. drill and
stora agesfacilities to care for organiza-
tions authorized.
THE District of Columbia National
Guard lis allotted % company units,
comprising approximately 900 en-
listed men. Troops allotted TO the Dis
trict of Columbia and organized in
accorda nee with regulations have
been denied Federal recognition as
National Guard by the War Depart
ment because suitable armory facili-
ties are not available. Thus the Dis
trict of Columbia is not permitted to
comply with the law, while at the
same time the Federal Governme mt
requires the States TO provide suitable
quarters for the National Guard.
Dft . loo wi,
States is under the direct command
of the State Governor, but in the Dis
trict of Columbia the National Guard
is under the direct command of the
President, who Is designated by law
as its ommander-in-ch Therefore.
the National Guard of the District of
Columbia is the only absolute Federal
National Guard organiZa ton in the
country.
The District of Columbia National
Guard has worked under great disad-
vantage for 35 years and cannot at
tain the high standard desired with
out adequate armory facilities. With
a proper armory 1t may be made a
model organization. setting the eX-
ample for the entire country.
The building now occupied as an
armory, 472 l. street northwest. con-
tains insufficient space for drill pur-
poses and for the proper housing of
personnel and equipment The drill
hall is 30 feet by 100 feet. Search
for armory facilities by the officer in
charge of public buildings and
grounds in the District of Columbia
has not revealed any building suit
able for housing the present organi-
Zation which can he lea sed near the
amount available for this purpose.
No drill halls are availa BILE.
Attention is invited TO the fact
that the present armory houses both
white and colored units. This acts as
a detriment to both organizations, in
asmuch as the armory cannot be
thrown open to both classes of or
ganfzations at all times. The armory
is completely filled, and no other Units
can be accommodated in it, Quar-
ters of some character must be Sc