Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-07-07

Already crowded conditions under
which the troops Of the National Guard
of the District of Columbia have been
serving became worse last week. when
those in the T-U Building on the Union
Station Plaza we've forced to move into
the Wv Building. This action was
made necessary by the fact that the
United States Housing Corporation de-
manded the T-U Building to rent 1t for
hotel purposes.
In addition to moving the troops into
the already cramped quarters In the
Wv Building, the field stores and
other equipment which was stored in
the two buildings has been moved to
a rented building at 316 Pennsylvania
avenue. Capt. Fletcher F.. Bernsdorff
was in charge of the moving and storing
OF this equipment.
This separation of the troops and the
property will make it necessary for unit
commanders, when they need any of it,
to prepare acquisitions and order 1t at
certain periods. With the property
close at hand, it has been possible for
unit commanders to draw property only
when they needed it, and they could
get 1t each drill night.
The arrangement Is expected to work
satisfactorily, as soon as the property
is settled, and it was pointed out that
1t probably will give the units more
out their wants ahead of time, instead
OF getting little at time. Az the
same time, however, the property is sub
Jected to fire hazard. The War De-
partment inspectors for years have
found fault with the places storing the
valuable field equipment loaned to the
local Guard by the Army.
However, the local Guard officials are
powerless to correct the matter, as Con-
gress year after year has refused to
provide the necessary legislation to give
the local troops an armory suitable for
proper training, and for proper storage
of equipment. The recommendations of
the War Department have had little
effect in moving Congress to provide
quarters for the troops.
The further crowding of the troops.
however, Is expected to spur the officials
TO bring the matter forcefully to the
attention of Congress at the next regu-
lar session, with view to obtaining
prompt relief. 1t was pointed out that
since the hotel buildings were allotted
to the local troops, additional units have
been formed, and 1t is these units
which are being forced out of a home.
They have very little space for indoor
training, and no space in which even
a company. much less q battalion or
regiment, can be drilled. During the
summer months, however, companies
are taken into the courtyards between
the buildings for drill purposes, but the
only regimental battalion training they
can receive IS obtained during the two
weeks OF field training in the Summer.
:. The National Guard Association of
the United States, taking cognizance
OF the plight of the District citizen
soldiers, has agreed to throw the force
OF its influence behind a movement to
obtain action on the armory. The or
ganizat1on has taken the view that the
troops of the District of Columbia, be-
ing IN the Federal City, Congress
should at least provide model facilities
as an example for the States to do
likewise. However, many of the States
are far ahead of the District in the
matter OF armory facilities. AS a mat
ter OF fact, in nearby Maryland the
State has constructed armories for the
use OF its troops, while the District
must go along in rented buildings.
Just how long the District troops will
be allowed to remain in the present
quarters is not known, but improve
ment of the plaza as a part Of the
Capitol grounds has begun, and they
find themselves without home at any
time. This Is more serious than 1t
seems on its face, as the officials, prior
to accepting the Government Hotel
building, made vain efforts to find a
structure in the Capital which they
could rent. But the rental allowance
by Congress is so small that a salts
factory building cannot be obtained.
Aud, further, the officials are limited to
making lease for only a year at a
time, and no one can be found who
would be willing to erect a special
building for the use of the Guard,
simply on the guarantee Of only years
rental. 1t was pointed out that If they
thority to lease for five-year periods.
that some one might be found to put up
suitable building.
Officials, however, would prefer that
the matter now be settled once and for
all by providing sufficient funds with
which to begin construction of a Gov
eminent -owned building on a public
site, which the Guard could occupy
permanently. This has been sought for
more than score OF years. and there
Is strong hope that the efforts might
be rewarded by the coming Congress.
Preparations already are under way
for the departure of the local troops
for their annual period of field en-
campment. The 260th Coast Artillery |
will leave July % for Fort Monroe, Va. |
for its training, while the other troops, |
including the 121st Regiment of Engi- |
and the division headquarters troops, |
the 18th Division Military Police Com |
pany and Company A. 372d Infantry, |
will leave for Camp Albert C. Ritchie |
at Cascade, Md, August IL.
All of the units, it was said, will go |
to camp this year by special train. the |
War Department having made special
arrangements with the railroads for the |
movement of all National Guard units. |
In the past the local troops have gone
in buses, and these were found very |
satisfactory because they took up the |
troops at their respective armories and |
then we're deposited in their company |
streets in camp.
This year the troops will march to
the Union Station and will be taken
directly to the camp grounds, all of
which have railroad sidings in them.
But they will be some distance from
their quarters.
However, the Maryland camp will be
ready for the troops, as they will use
the facilities of the Maryland National |
Guard Including the tentaoe The