Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1933-11-19
District National Guard

Efforts are being made by Col. John
w. Oehmann. acting commander OF the
National Guard Of the District Of Co
mmbia, to have o number Of tnem-
ployed men assigned to. the local militia
to make number Of needed improve
ments ON the rife range at Camp
Simms, Congress Heights. d. c. 1t was
said at the brigade headquarters last
week that he had taken the matter up
with the District Of Columbia Com
missioners, but as yet had not heard
anything definite concerning a decision
to provide the men.
1t was explained at the headquarters
that Col. Oehmann had mapped out
about rs projects at the local camp,
each of which would require from 10
to 20 men for period of two months.
It IS expected to provide the money
for the purchase of materials from the
public works allotment to the War De-
partment for use In improving camps
throughout the country, and Of which
approximately it is expected that
$4,000 would be allotted to the local
| Militia.
The projects mapped out by Col.
Oetn I'm include the putting in Of ma
cadam roads to replace present dirt
roads, and also TO provide new roads
throughout the range. One project also
provides for the construction of q
bridge over Oxon Run, which was
washed out during the September
storm.
In the work on the roads, II was said,
there will be considerable work In re-
locating them, SO to take out a
In addition to the range projects,
funds also have been asked for the pur-
pose Of painting and papering the Sixth
Street Armory, which is said TO be much
in need of refurbishing.
1t was pointed out that If the men
can be provided within a short time,
the improvements on the range will be
completed in the Spring by the time
the various units prepare to open the
annual target season, when all OF the
men must fire their record scores.
However, any work that Is not COM
pleted would not interfere materially
with the use Of the range, as the troops
usually are ordered out on Saturdays
and Sundays for this training. The
other five days could be used by the
workmen IN carrying out the various
projects. 81.
week that they have not had any den-
mite information as to whether the Pub
lie Works Administration INTENDS 70
proyide any part Of the $1,000, 600 asked
for by the Guard officials and the Dis
trict Commissioners for the construc-
ton of an armory here for the local
troops. However, the officials believe
that 1t will be some time before they
will be in a new building, and for that
reason they desire to improve the pres
ent armory. 49,,
Oficials are working quietly on the
armorv proposal and do not plan 10
! give I'D until they receive some defnite
word. one way or another. While tine
matter Is still under consideration, they
have not asked for any outside support,
but 1t is believed that if they find that
the Public Works Administration Is
inclined to turn deaf ear to the prof.
ect they will call in the support OF the
National Guard Association OF the
United states. 1t is hoped by this move
to WELD powerful influence In a favor
able way. The association is whole
heartedly behind the project, and, In
fact, instructed its national officials at
the recent annual convention to get
behind the local project.
It is the feeling among the Guard
officers throughout the country that as
the local Militia Is Federal organiza-
ton, and as the Federal Government
requires the States to build and main