Evening star., 1933-09-03
District National Guard

Both officials OF the National Guard
of the District of Columbia and Of the
National Capital Park and Planning
Commission are compiling data in con-
nection with the application OF the local
militia officials for the construction OF
an armory here for the citizen soldiers
out of reconstruction funds.
An official of the Planning Commis-
sion Is compiling data as to possible
sites which could be used for placement
of such an armory If the construction
funds are approved, while the Guard
officials are preparing data showing the
residential centers of the military per-
sonnel.
While q governmental site Is desir-
able, and a number Of them are being
examined in connection with the study
of the armory situation, it was said
also that q number Of privately owned
sites are under consideration. It Is not
the policy to make public the possible
privately owned sites, as the Govern.
ment usually keeps these secret until
the purchases are actually made In or
der to ward of any sudden increase
in price when it IS discovered that the
Government wants the land.
1t was pointed out that in examining
the hearings on the atmory matter
which we're held by congressional COM
mittees In 1914, when 1t appeared that
there might be possibility OF obtain
ing funds for the building, Congress
was told at that time that there was
only one available site on Government
land, and that was designated as Four
teenth and B streets. 1t was pointed
out that already about q dozen sites are
under consideration for such building
at this time.
In connection with the study Of resi-
Dental centers Of personnel. It was said
that q survey made about 10 years ago
showed that the center OF Guard per-
sonnel was In the downtown section,
but so far as the study has gone at
the present time 1t showed that the
center had moved considerably to the
northward, and this was believed to be
due to the great development In the
northern sections Of the city.
While there appears to be some doubt
as to whether the District will be al
lotted any public works funds, 1t was
pointed out that the Guard ofncials are
going right ahead to push their plea
and at least have it definitely turned
down. They believed that they have
many good arguments for the provi-
sion Of an armory here, the foremost
of which Is that the citizen soldiers now
must take their training in buildings
most unsatisfactory for the purpose,
buildings from which they may be
forced to vacate at any time. Further
more. it was said that the National Cap
ital troops should have an arn1ory which
should stand out as model to the
States, especially in view of the fact
that the Government calls on the States
to have adequate armory facilities be-
fore Federal property Is loaned to them
for training purposes.
Lieut.. Col. Peyton G. hewitt, assistant
adjutant general Of the local militia, and
officials Of the building inspectors ONCE
Of the District Of Columbia made q
thorough examination Of the Coast
Artillery Armory at Water and o streets
southwest, last week to determine
whether the recent storm had weakened
the walls any. The building is located
on the bank Of Washington Channel,
and 1t was said that following the storm
1t was noticed that q section Of the
floor Of one Of the rooms had sunk.
Following the examination, 1t was said
that the walls are in good shape, and
they are trying to determine the cause
1Or the SINKING OF the uOor. The build
ing formerly was used Is an armory
for the Naval Militia and the Naval Re-
serves.
Sergt. Charles r. Drexillius has been
ordered promoted to technical serReant
In the quartermaster detachment, State
staff.
Pvt. Thomas A. Maisel has been
ordered transferred from the reserve to
the active list Of Company r, 121st
Engineers.
Pvts. Edward ]. Sheehan and Charles
L. Stephens have been ordered trans
ferred from the active to the reserve
list Of Battery G, 260th Coast Artillery.
on account Of business interference With
the performance Of military duty.
The seppointment Il Ylrst Lieut..