Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-01-22
District National Guard

for the previous fiscal year. when forty
| nine drills were authorized and held.
He says that the fiscal problems con-
nected with armory drills continue to
be difficult of solution, Members OF
the National Guard. he points out, arc
entitled TO pay only for such drills as
they attend and the constant improve
ment in attendance. due to stabilizing
incident to better type OF personnel.
reduced turnover and improved morale
and training efficiency naturally in
creases the cost Of drills. Another fac
tor OF uncertainty is the average
strength of the Guard during the fiscal
wear. An increase of five per cent III
drill attendance during the year Will
add approximately 100000 TO the cost
Of armory drill pay
The estimated cost Of forty-eight
drills for the fiscal year 1927 was
sl0.269.4Sa. and funds in this amount
we're provided. The actual cost was
approximately Slo549.4S9. The deficit
Of $4,000 was made by transfer OF
funds from other appropriation items
But he adds that the making up of this
deficit would not have been practicable
without seriously inpairing the &C
Invites affected had 1t not been that
the carry over" appropriations Of 1927
exceeded the estimates as to what would
be available TO be carried over.
Owing to the large amount OF funds
involved in possible fluctuations in
arnlory drill pay and the fact that data
as TO the amount such fluctuations are
not available until nearly two months
after the close Of the fiscal year. 1t Is
!mpracticable to withhold from allot-
mcntS under other items sufficient
funds to cover a possible deficit III
armory drill pay
II has been the policy of the War
Department 10 base estimates on the
best available data as TO cost per drill
and to add the cost Of one drill as a
factor of safety. But. he continues.
the factor thus provided is hardly sui
fcient TO cover a fluctuation OF one per
cent in strength and drill attendance.
The problem is being carefully studied
with view to finding a satisfactory
solution, and 1t is probable that recon-
mendations designed TO correct this
! state Of affairs will be submitted IN
short time
PAYMENT for field training is furnish
ing another problem for the militia bu-
reau. Gen. Hammond says that all
field-training payments are required TO
be made by the United States property
and diSburSing officer or his authorized
agent officer. Considerable difficulty
has been experienced in the past in the
! administration of this provision OF the
law. particularly in view of the fact
| that the authorized agen. officers must
be bonded before they may be intrusted
with Federal funds for this purpose.
The United States property and dis
bursting officer cannot. manifestly make
/ all payments in person at the close of
! the encampment and no Federal funds
| can be provided for the payment Of
I the premiums on bonds for agent Of
! fieerS. To meet this problem in a small
| way National Guard regulations were
| amended so that when payments are
made by the United States property
| and disbursing officer in person he may
make such payments at any time after
/ the troops have been mustered, prefer
/ able as near the close of the encamp-
ment as possible: or payments may be
made by the diSbursing officer in per-
son or his authorized agent after the
| return OF the troops to their home sta
| ton. The payment Of troops at home
| station presents SO many advantages to
the organization commander, as well as
! the troops. that 1t is hoped that these
advantages will result in the designa-
tion OF agent officers even though such
| resignation involves a small expendi-
ture in connection with the procure
| ment of the bond.
AS TO the uniforms of the Guard. he
calls attention to their lack of uniform
lty. He says the war-stock uniforms
are most unsatisfactory. due to inferior
quailty OF material. lack OF uniformitv
on color. and obsolete cut.
Faliure TO provide a satisfactory uni
form has had a most unfayorable Of.
feet on the contentment and morale NJ
the Guard. Funds have been available
IN sufficient amount TO meet the re-
| quirements of all the States for repair
ana the renovation of clothing turn-in
on discharge for reissue, and for repairs
TO organizational equipment.