Evening star., 1931-12-13

The annual physical examinations for
officers of the National Guard of the
District of Columbia have been Or
dered All officers of the organization,
according to the order, who have not
been physically examined for appoint
ment or promotion during the current
calendar year have been ordered TO re-
mort to the Guard medical officer, Mai.
George J. Allen, prior to December 81,
next The reports of the examinations
must be in the brigade headquarters
prior to January /.
Mai Gen. Anton Stephan, command
ino the local militia brigade and the
2ofh National Guard Division, COM
nrising the National Guard troops OF
his city and the States of Maryland
and Virginia accompanied by Lieut..
Col Peyton G.. hewitt, assistant adju-
tant general of the Guard, returned to
washington last week after having at
tended the sessions Of the annual con-
vention of the National Guard Associa-
tion of the United States at New Or
leans. Gen. Stephan said that the con-
vention was a success in every way,
MANY matters of Importance to the Ma
tional Guard having been considered.
Addresses were delivered by Maj, Gen.
George E. Leach, the newly appointed
chief OF the Militia Bureau of the War
Department. Brig. Gen. Andrew Moses
of the War Department general staff,
and Col. w. H. Waldon, executive off,
GER of the Militia Bureau.
A general resolution was passed d.
recting the executive council OF the as
sociation to proceed to have included
in the congressional appropriations suf-
ficient funds to conduct the number Of
drills and camps provided for in the
national defense act. This law provides
that there shall not be less than 15
drills held each year by the National
Guard, and not less than is days OF
field training by each unit.
The War Department recently issued
an order, apparently the result OF the
Governments economy drive, reducing
the number of drills to be held by the
Guard next year from 48 to 43. How
ever, this order was subsequently re-
scinded. but no reason was given. Those
in close touch with the situation said
that while they did not know for Ger
tain the reason for the resembling
order. it was believed that pressure was
brought on the War Department. The
national defense act, it was pointed out,
is explicit In saying that this NUMBER
of drills shall be held.
It was pointed out that the appro-
priations made each year are usually
based on an estimate OF the number
of men who will attend drills and train
ing camps, and assurance given that II
the number Is exceeded deficiency
will be allowed to make
up the difference. This practice mas
been followed in the past. However, u
was said that when it became apparent
that deficiency appropriation would De
needed to meet the amount neeoed LOT
drills, 1t was decided TO cut down the
of drills, following the efforts OF
the Government to prevent any deficiency
measures going in owing to the state
of the Treasury.
1t was significant at the convention,
it was said, that the association did not
approve any project which would require
any addition to Government expendl-
lures during the year, and as its part
toward reducing governmental outlay the
Guard decided not to press for an in
crease in strength to meet the require
ments as laid down by the War Depart
ment to give the Guard its proper
standing in the national defense sys-
TEN. 1t was pointed out that there
are now in the militia 10000 officers
and men, and an increase to 10000
enlisted men would be needed to bring
the Guard up to that strength Whlch
the War Department officers have de-
termined would be required to give the
militia it's proper place in the ma
tional defense system, Increase in the
strength, Of course, would re-
quire additional appropriations to pay
drill money to the men and for training
camp pay during the Summer months,
as well as additional outlay for equip
ment and other expenses.
No action was taken by the Guard
this year on the question OF
an adequate armOry for the District OF
Columbia Guard. AS a matter of fact,
no action was sought by the local repre-
to the convention, Gen. Ste
phan and Col. Nevitt While the or
ganization heretofore has constantly
pressed for an appropriation for an
armory for the militia here, in order |
that it might set an example for the |
States, it was decided that now Is not !
the time to ask for funds for the con-
struction of such building.
The local Guard is quite comfortably, |
although not efficiently, located in the !
old National Hotel Building at Sixth /
street and Pennsylvania avenue, now !
owned by the District government. 1t
will be safe there until construction is
started on the new Municipal Center |
and it is not expected by Guard of
ficials that the building project will |
reach this area until some years after |
it is started in the vicinity of John |
place The principal handi- |
cap now of the Guard is the lack OF !
drill hall facilities for training during |