Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-12-29

on new armory facilities, In view of tn,
fact that Maj Gen. Anton Stephan
commanding the District of Columbis
Militia, recently announced that he ex.
poets to have some definite announce
Inent to make on armory facilities
shortly after January l. Several struc-
lures are known to be under consider
alton, among them buildings in the area
which will eventually be occupied by the
District of Columbia government
officials of the Guard have been
working for some time in an effort tc
better the present very crowded condi-
tons prevailing at the North Capitol
Street Armory. which were further ag-
gravated several months ago when II
was forced to vacate one of the other
hotel buildings it was occupying on the
plaza, which eventually is to become a
part of the present Capitol grounds.
The District Commissioners have
been informed that the plans for i'm
proving the plaza are becoming definite.
and that unless some plans are made
for the Guard it will find itself suddenly
be trained. The Commissioners were
informed that Senator Reed Smoot.
chairman of the Public Buildings Com
mission, who stated to the Guard OFF,
Gals that the matter should be taken
up with the Commissioners with view
to preparing some legislation. approved
by the Budget Bureau, looking to the
provision of the facilities for training.
So far as could be learned no steps
have been taken by the Commissioners
to make provision for the local troops,
and Guard officials have not yet made
public any plans which they might be
formulating for seeking legislation au-
thorizing che construction of an armory
here There appears to be some con-
II - vI,ak
agency of Government should furnish
the funds for the construction for the
District troops. On the side of the
Federal Government. it is argued that
the District of Columbia should provide
the funds. the same as the State do for
their militias, but on behalf of the Dis
trict officials it was said that as the
local Guard is Federal organization 1t
devolveS upon the National Government
TO provide the building. Whatever may
be the correct viewpoint on this. in its
finality the matter must go to Congress,
which has the final say. That body
could then determine from which pocket
the funds for construction should be
provided. If it finally decides to provide
for the District troops.
Judging from the recent action of
civic bodies here which have taken up
the armory question without Solicita-
the citizens If the money was taken
out of the District Golfers. Those which
have considered the matter have with
out exception asked that an armory be
provided for the training of the local
Guard units.
While the officials would much pre-
fer that new and special type of
Guiding be provided by Congress, they
are nevertheless willing to take any
structure which would permit the train
ing to be carried out efficiently. One
of the most important needs of the To-
cal Guard is a drill hall, at least large
enough for the purpose Of drilling a
battalion, but preferably big enough to
accommodate all of the units which it
Is necessary to train. At the present
time the Guard has no drill hall and
must use the public streets for this pur-
pose. However, this always results in
the upsetting of drill programs, because
the weather during the Winter months
tnterferes with drilling in the open.
When the troops resume their drill
program a week hence they will have
:or their Midwinter goal the annual in
spections by a detail of officers from the
War Department to determine their
state Of efficiency. The officers have
been informed as to the details of the
inspection, just what they will be
marked In, and will have full oppor-
tunity to correct any defects which
might appear before the arrival of the
inspection officers. The inspections will
cover a period of about two weeks. two
companies being examined each night.
Many suggestions have been received
at the brigade headquarters from COM
pany commanders as to what instruction
should be given in the school for mess
SergeantS and cooks, which 1t is con-
templated to inaugurate soon after the
beginning Of the new year. It is the
purpose Of this school to provide a COM
plete course of training for these i'm
portant members Of companies, with a
view to fitting them to provide good,
well balanced meals during the annual
encampmentS. Feeding Is one of the
most important functions in the Army,
and 1t Is the purpose of the Guard ON
cials to do everything possible to so
train these men that they can begin
the provision Of fine meals as soon as
they go into the field.
Heretofore between encampments
there has been little opportunity for
the men detailed for this duty to re-
ceive any real instruction, with the re-
suit that when they go into the field
each Summer it is several DAYS before
they get settled down to providing the
AoSAOAAS Al PoAdIdDlC style, ana
tnen the encampment lasts only a few
days longer. With the training they
are TO receive in the school it is be-
lleved that they will be able to start
right from the first to order their sup
plies and provide the meals without a
hitch or complaint.
The possibilities of the use of chemi-
cal agents, particularly against partially
trained troops at the beginning Of hos
Utilities, make 1t essential that all arms
be thoroughly trained in the defense
against this mode of warfare prior to
taking the field in active operations and
how to employ effectively counter
chemical measures, the War DEPART
n1ent has informed the Guard. It also
points out that an instructor from the
Chemical Warfare Service is usually
available at National Guard camps, but
adds that it is essential for proper
training that qualified Guard officers be
available. Present instructions provide
for the detailing of an officer from the
stan Of each division as the chemical
warfare ofhcer of the division in addi-
ton to his other duties.
For the coming year, it was said, the
best method of securing qualified in
Structors for this important subject is
through the Chemical Warfare School
At Edgewood Arsenal Two courses for
the Army are held at this school an
nuany and National Guard officers are
eligible to attend either of them.
All National Guard personnel, the
War Department said. should be trained
to apply efficiently all chemical warfare
protective appliances: combat duties To
be properly executed when protective
appliances are used. Sufficient familiar
ity with the action of both toxic and
non-toxic gases is necessary. so that
all military personnel will understand
what action is necessary to obtain full
rrnfectinr, The training scknol sIn,,lS