Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-09-21


the National Guard of the District Of
Columbia looms up While the loca
militia was in the Government hote
buildings when the last efforts were
made to have the legislative body make
provision for specially built structures
for the training of the local troops
Tney have since moved to the old Ma
tional Hotel Building at Sixth street
and Pennsylvania avenue Although,
with some remodeling and changes, the
organization is comfortably located
nevertheless, it was pointed out. the
building is not entirely suited for ar
mory purposes. Quarters are sufficient
in number to house the troops, but
not adequate for the training
There is no room large enough in
the building for a drill hall, with the
result that the troops must go to a
nearby park and take their weekly drills
under electric lights, which necessarily
must be placed some distance away.
While, of course, they would have to
drill under electric light if they had
an armory, because their training is re-
ceived at night, nevertheless it is much
easier to light drill hall effectively
than it is to light a large field out
doors.
The Militia Bureau of the War De-
partment is not pleased with the facili-
ties provided for the citizen troops in
the National Capital, and, in a report,
this comment was made:
I'm connection with the subject of
armories it is considered necessary to
again point to the exceedingly unsatis
factory conditions existing in the city
Of Washington relative to armory facili-
lies for the District of Columbia Ma
tional Guard. AS a requisite for Fed
eral recognition of National Guard
units the Federal Government requires
the several States to maintain suitable
housing facilities. 1t is inconsistent
with the foregoing requirement eXacted
of the States that the National Guard
units of the Nations Capital are so in
adequately and poorly housed"
The implication contained in this
statement is that a concession is being
granted to the local Guard. It is
pointed out that if the States are re-
quired to build and maintain SatiSfac-
tory training quarters for its militia,
the same requirement should be in
sisted upon from the District of Column
bia. In fact it was pointed out that
the local troops should have the finest
armory which should serve as model
for the States, in view OF the fact that
the local organization is a Federal one,
and directly under the eyes of the Fed
eral Government.
ton for more than quarter of a CEN
fury have annually appealed to Con-
greSs, hearings have been held, and
each session the proposed projects have
died, and the troops have gone ahead
making the best of their way, and being
kicked about the city from one build
ing to another. Little help in the eff
forts to obtain a building has been re-
ceived from the District government;
49,
that source looking into the armory
situation. special committee was APP
pointed by the Commissioners to study
the question. and it is composed of Dis
trict officials. one member being Col.
John w. Oehmann, District Building
inspector, who also is commander of
the 121st Regiment Of Engineers, the
largest single unit Of the local Guard.
The action followed a report acted
on by the National Capital Park and
Planning Commission, which opposed
the proposal to acquire for the use of
the Guard as an armory the Washing
ton Auditorium. Guard officials, after
an investigation, reported that with
some changes in the structure 1t would
make an ideal building not only for the
training of the troops but for the
storage Of the thousands of dollars
worth of equipment which is loaned the
organization by the War Department
for training purposes. The District
Commissioners move followed this action
Of the Federal planning body.
The present armory was acquired
when the District government took over
the hotel in connection with the pur-
chase Of property in that area for the
purpose Of establishing the proposed
Municipal Center. While 1t is not
known just how long the Guard viii
be allowed to remain there, it is certain
that it will not be for an indefinite
period, as the structure will be razed
when funds are appropriated for begin
ming the building of the Districts
project.
One Of the difficulties in the obtain
ing Of funds for new armory has been
the attitude Of some District officials
toward the militia due to its semi
Federal status These officials have
contended that since it is a Federal
organization the Federal Government
should bear the entire expense of the
project. On the other hand, it was
argued that the organization is a similar
organization in that the President of
the United States is the head and exer-
cises only the same functions as a gov
ernor exercises over State militia and
that he is not the head of 1t because he
is the commander in chief of the armed
forces of the United States.
So far as could be learned, the local
militia officials have not formulated any
plans for again presenting their case to
Congress. The committee appointed
by the Commissioners has not made
any report as yet and it Is probable
that the Guard officers are waiting to
see what recommendations are made by
that body. On the matter Of expense
20 h. 49, =
patriotic organizations in the city have
taken formal action on the matter and
they have, without exception, voted to
provide building at the entire expense
OF the District If necessary.
One OF the great needs specified in
the efforts TO obtain the armory is that
of having all of the troops under one
roof. This, it was pointed out, would
provide for better administration AS
1t is now, they are scattered in various
parts Of the city. The greater portion
of them are in the National Hotel
Building, but the Coast Artillery unit is
located on the Southwest water front
and the colored troops are at Twelfth
and u streets. Aside from this, the
militia is required TO store its expensive
equipment in a warehouse on lower
Pennsylvania avenue, where it is con-
tinuously subjected to the hazard of
nre and where the protection cannot
be provided which the War Department
expects Of other militia organizations in
the States.
While making an effort to obtain the
Washington Auditorium, the local Guard
officers also had their eyes on the Pen
sion Office Building in Judiciary Square
This structure, 1t was pointed out by
them, would make an ideal armory, and
further, it would perpetuate the memo
rial TO the Civil War soldiers. Its large
first floor would make an ideal drill hall
large enough for the drilling of any
outfit In the local Guard and the rooms