Evening star., 1928-11-23
LACK Of ARMORy
IN D. c. DEPL0RED
National Guard Units Here
Not Properly Housed,
Hammond Reports.

Special attention is called to unsatis-
factory conditions in the matter of
srmory facilities for the National Guard
of the District of Columbia by Maj.
Gen. Greed c. Hammond. chief of the
Militia Bureau of the War Department,
in his annual report to the Secretary
of War.
There continues to be a lack of
proper armorv and storage facilities in
several of the States" he says. "AS a
consequence. a considerable number of
units are not suitably housed and in
many such cases the care of military
property is frequently not all that could
be desired While conditions probably
will never be ideal in this respect, there
Is continued improvement. In this
connection 1t seems appropriate to
mention that the armory situation in
the city of Washington. the Nations
Capital. is far from satisfactory. This
is a regrettable condition of affairs and
il is hoped it will be remedied in the
near future"
Funds Are Recommended.
Gen. Hammond has approved a rec
ommendation, his report saws. that
funds be provided for the assembling
VI
divisions in annual encampment Re-
ports received from the experiment of
assembling the 30th Division. compris-
ing troops of Tennessee. North Carolina,
South Carolina and Georgia, he says in
dicated it was successful, but demcn-
strated the value of such supervised
combined training.
He said it is believed that the time
has arrived where assembling of large
bodies of National Guard troops, par
ticularly divisions. whether of different
States or located solely in one State
for co-ordinated training development
of divisional spirit and the education of
officers and enlisted men toward the
broadest view of military service in
national defense should be undertaken.
The commanding general of the Sd
Army Corps Area. under which the Ma
tional Guard of the District of Column
bia comes. reports. says Gen. Hammond.
that the organizations in this area have
attained all reasonable expectations,
and show gradual advancement as
compared to 1927, due to organization
Of new units, supply and equipment
and training methods Among the
weak points in this area are noted
large turnover in personnel and lack of
suitable armories in some localities.
while the strong points are given as
well established training camps and
utilization of Federal installation for
training
The National Guard of the various
States was described as having shown
during the past year marked improve
nent in personnel. organization. train
Ing. supply and general efficiency by
Gen. Hammond's report.
This improvement has been accom-
pllshed. Gen. Hammond said. despite
restrictions imposed by limitation of
funds available for the support Of this
component" 1t was noted in all phases
OF training, attendance at armory drills
field training camps and service schools.
better armory and housing facilities
and improvement in the care and con-
servation of clothing and equipment
Most Units Satisfactory.
The state of readiness as to the exc
cution of their mobilization missions. he
reported, indicates that all of the or
CARNATIONS of the National Guard with
limited number of exceptions. are in
a very satisfactory condition He found
that In three infantry divisions a
division headquarters in one of these
had adversely affected the development
anu SbdOC Va Oh lI1GSG uIlILS.
and expressed hope of an early agree
ment in completing the organization of
these divisions. The divisions were the
30th, embracing Georgia. North Caro-
lima, South Carolina and Tennessee; the
35th, Kansas, Missouri and Nebraska,
which also requires division headquar-
ters. and the 41St. Idaho. Wyoming,
Montana, Oregon and Washington.
The approved program of develop
fnent of the National Guard his report
said. calls for an aggregate strength of
$4,000 and 10000, respectively, in
1929 and 1880. The authorized strength
OF the National Guard during 1928 was
l86.024 officers and men, while the ac-
tual strength was 18l 221, including
1924 commissioned officers. 184 war;
rant officers and 1879 enlisted men.
Troops Called in Is States.
BY series of annual increments. the
Militia Bureau program contemplates
the completion of the essential combat
elements in the National Guard allot-
ment to an approximate aggregate
strength of 100000.
The value of the National Guard to
the citizens of the several States was
demonstrated, Gen. Hammond reported,
In numerous instances during the year.
including the calling out of troops in
Is States to aid civil authorities.
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