Evening star., 1933-10-08
District National Guard

Ofdcials Of the National Guard Of
the District Of Columbia are hopeful
that with the strong backing Of the
National Guard Association of the
United States, as evidenced by the reso-
luton passed at its recent annual con-
ventiOn in Chicago, there will come in
the near future some definite action
looking to the construction Of new
armory building here.
With such influence behind the move
ment, which was inaugurated some
weeks ago when Mai. Gen. Anton Step
han, commander Of the local Guard,
made formal application to the Public
Works Administration for an allotment
Of $500, 900 for the construction Of
such a building, 1t is the hope that the
matter will be brought to q head and
some definite action taken.
Col. John w. Oehmann, command
ing the 12lst Regiment Of Engineers
and also acting commander Of the local
militia In the absence Of Gen. Stephan
on sick leave, has written to the Dis
trict of Columbia Commissioners urging
them to get actively behind the proposal
to have the Federal Government allot
the money. However, 1t was said that
50 far no reply has been received from
this letter. but that it will be closely
followed up.
The National Guard Association reso-
luton directed that the of1cers Of that
association make the local armory pro-
posal the principal business Of the as
sociation for the current year It Is
expected that these officials will come
to Washington, in conformity with the
resolution, and actively urge the public
works fund distributors to allow the
fund for the construction Of the pro-
posed armory.
Everything apparently, is settled, ex-
cept the allotment of funds. The Park
and Planning Commission has selected
proposed site on the Eastern Branch
at the end of East Capitol street This
is part of the Anacostia River park
way. Government land. and no part Of
the funds allotted would be needed for
the acquisition Of the site, which Is de-
clared to be ideally located, as 1t would
provide ample parade ground facilities,
as we'll as outdoor recreational facili-
ties for the militiamen. Further, the
site Is large enough to provide for an
adequate building in which could be
constructed q drill hall large enough
for all Of the local troops to be drilled
in inclement weather, a facility which
now is lacking, as the organization is
located In an cid hotel building, more
than 100 years old, in which no provi-
sion can be made for q drill hall Of any
size.
Local Guard ofiicials, it is understood,
will be ready to work at any time with
the officers Of the national association,
and acquaint them with the efforts
which have been made to provide for
the armory here. AS the convention
was just concluded last week 1t is yet
too soon to determine just what form
OF action will be taken by the national
association oficers
There will be no legislation for the
national officers to look after this year,
it was said, as the convention decided
that the legislation passed by the last
Congress complied with all Of the re-
quests for the Guard However, the pri-
mary duty Of the oficials, it was in
dicated. will be to see that appropria-
tions are increased to insure that the
National Guard will have a minimum of
48 drills year and a minimum Of Is
days Of field training
An inventory OF all Federal property
within the District OF Columbia Ma
tional Guard has been ordered, begin
ming as Of october /. last, for the pur-
pocc OA Octcl mining tlldt 1Uu per CcIlt
Of all property for which each unit
commander is responsible to the United
States property and disbursing officer
is actually on hand and physically
within the unit concerned, and in such
condition as to be serviceable for use.
Attention has been called to brigade
orders which require unit commanders
to prepare. as of October I, a property
inventory list showing the distribution
Of property within that unit. This list,
it was pointed out. should show the
property in the possession Of each in
dividual and that in the unit store
room. These lists are to be presented
to the inspecting officer at the begin
ming of the inspection Of each unit.
During this inspection all property
found to be unserviceable, In need OF re-
pair. or in need Of cleaning. Is to be
to replace the same or to place it in
serviceable condition. All work in con-
nection with the inspections is to be
completed by November IS. including
the necessary surveys, requests, requi-
sitions, etc
The senior instructor on duty with
the District Guard Is to make the In
spection and at the same time will make
an administrative examination OF all
records Of the units, on dates to be
specified later.
These inspections are preliminary to
the annual armory inspections con-
Quoted by officers Of the Regular Army
sent here for that purpose, and will
serve to give a close check on the local
organizations, so that they will be IN
fine shape when the regular inspections
are conducted.
Second Lieut.. Carl santilli. serst.
Walter @. Tyner and Corpl George G.
Prentiss of the Headquarters Detach-
ment and Combat Train were ordered
on duty at the Coast Artillery Armory
last week in connection with the prop
erty inspections.
For the same purpose the following
officers of Company D, 121st Engineers,
were ordered on duty at the Pennsyl-
vania avenue armory: First Lieut.. Ed
ward A. Mcmahon, First SeTgt. William
H. Mattoon. Supply Sergt. Donald S.
Funk; Staff Sergt. Chauncey H. Pat
terson; company clerk, Corpl Vincent
I. Sharpe.
Two officers Of the Medical Depart
ment Detachment, 260th Coast Artil-
lery, have been order to appear before
an examining board of which Maj
George j. Alien, Medical Corps, is
president, for the purpose Of deter
mining their qualifications for pro-
motion.