Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-09-08
District National Guard

Of q new armory for the National Guard
Of the District of Columbia is included
in the preliminary estimates to cover
the expenses Of the organization for the
fiscal year 1891, nevertheless the Guard
ofncials are asking for substantial
increase in the armory appropriation.
The preliminary figures prepared at the
brigade headquarters were made public
last week, but before they finally reach
Congress there undoubtedly will be some
slashing by the District Commissioners
and the Bureau of the Budget.
The appropriation for the current
fiscal year for armory and camp was
$13,500. while the Guard ofiicials are
asking for 1881 the sum Of $31 $50, an
increase Of $4,000. An explanation ac-
companying this request says that 1t is
estimated that the Guard will be re-
quired to vacate the present quarters
during 1881, If not before. While suit
able facilities for rental have not been
located, the note further says that q
garage building, which could be remod-
eled to serve In a limited way has been
located and Is available at this time.
1t Is further estimated, says the state
ment, that funds now paid for rental
for the Government Hotel Building on
the Union Station Plaza now used as an
armory, will not meet the added ex-
penses In connection with the operation
of an armory, such as for fuel and
light. These are now furnished from
the central heating plant of the Gov
eminent hotels.
The anticipation Of moving out of the
present armory was born Of the knowl-
edge that plans now are being made for
razing all of the buildings between the
Capitol Grounds and the station plaza
as part OF the parkway for the former.
Some OF the Government hotel build
ings nearer the Capitol have been
RACED and those occupied by the Guard
are on the program for destruction.
Unless provision is made for armory
facilities of some sort by the coming
session of Congress, the Guard is likely
to find itself entirely without home,
because officials have been unable to
obtain quarters for the troops within
the funds allowed by Congress for rent
al purposes. There was nc indication
at the brigade headquarters that the
provision included in the estimates was
substitute for the plan to have Con-
gress pass a bill authorizing the con-
struction Of special building, designed
for the use of the troops, on public
grounds. 1t is probable, however, that
some effort will be made to have Con-
greSS make such a provision. In the
event that Congress should pass an en-
abling act authorizing a new building,
1t will be some time before it can be
constructed. In the meantime. the
training Of the troops must 60 forward.
No request is made in the estimates
for permission to make long-term
lease for the garage building which is
said to be available. Under the present
law the Guard officials may only make
lease from year to year. Because of
this fact heretofore 1t has been i'm
possible to interest private capital in
the construction of building espe-
cially for armory purposes. Property
owners, 1t appears, did not want to con-
struct a building when the Guard on
Gals could only give assurance that they
could only rent it for year at time.
Optimism over the present prospects
OF obtaining a new armory for the
troops Is expressed in a letter which
Maj. Gen. Anton Stephan, commanding
the local Guard, last week wrote to
Charles E. Thomas. Discussing the lack
of facilities for the training Of the local
troops, Gen. Stephan wrote:
This condition is one which Ma
tional Guard authorities have striven
for years to keep before the District au-
thorities and the United States Con-
greSs. The numerous commissions,
committees, etc, with their changing
personnel, have undoubtedly been a
serious handicap in securing favorable
consideration on any Of the numerous
proposals which we have made.
Il believe that at this time we have
as members of the various agencies con-
cerned those who are more converSant
with our need of armory facilities and
those who are more sympathetic In
their feeling toward the National Guard
than has been the case heretofore.
"I deeply appreciate your interest In
our welfare and hope that through the
efforts of yourself and others interested
In national defense, suitable armory
facilities will be provided In the Dis
An increase of only $120 is asked In
the appropriation for personal services
In connection with the maintenance of
the Guard. The present appropriation
Is SOS, $50, while the amount asked in
1881 Is $26,070.
For cleaning and repairing uniforms,
arms and equipment and contingent
expenses the same amount. $1,000 is
asked. In asking for $4,000 for ex-
penses In connection with target prac-
tice, the same as the current appropria-
which will give the Guard officials au-
thority to use this fund for matches
either within or without the District of
Columbia, and authorizing the issuance
of service cards to Government en-
ployes who participate in rifle matches.
This proviso is the result of deci-
sion of the controller general of the
United States denying to certain officers
of the Guard reimbursement for money
spent in attending rifle matches outside
Of the District, and refusing to pay
Government employees for military leave
taken for the purpose of participating.
An increase In the fund for the pay
ment of troops, other than Government
employees, for duty performed, from
5000 to 500 Is asked, A note of
explanation accompanying this request
points out that It was necessary in 1929
to get q, deficiency appropriation Of 1898
and adds that proposals now before the
War Department call for the organiza-
of the local Guard and the increased
funds will be needed to pay the men,
bers of these outfits while in camp
The Quartermaster Corps Detachment
matter of attendance at drill last week,
heads the list of organizations In the
according to a compilation from the
drill reports of the various organiza-
tions. This was the only organization
to have all of its members present at
the drill following camp, and 1t was
classed as superior. The other orgari-
cations, In their respective classifica-
lions, with percentages, follow:
Excellent: 29th Division Military Po-
lice Company, 86.44; Headquarters De-
tachment, Special Troops, 29th Division;
85.71: Headquarters Detachment, 29th
Division, S5.1
Satisfactory: Headquarters and Serv-
ice Company, 121st Engineers, STA;
Medical Department Detachment, 121st
Engineers, 1886; Company D, 121st En-
svs,a n 10k aaw{
neers, 64.28; Company C, 12lst Engi-
neers, 62.29; Company A, 121st Engi-
rleers, 1929.
Unsatisfactory: Company A. 372d In
fantry, SITS; Company F, 121st Engi-
neers, SILT.
Very unsatisfactory: Company B.
12Ist Engineers, 1920.