Evening star., 1935-10-20


under the Army tables of organiza-
ton. but for which no provision has
yet been made. 1t is the hope of the
Guard officials that some Of these
units will be provided out of the
funds appropriated by Congress for
an increase of 5000 enlisted men for
the National Guard of the country.
There is said to be a possibility
that the War Department in provid-
ing for these new troops will first
authorize the divisional units, that Is,
the organizations necessary for the
operation of a division before provid-
ing for separate units necessary in
completing regiments and battalions.
There is yet to be organized here
the 9th Division Headquarters Com
pany, certain detachments in connec-
ton with the special troops organiza-
ton; the Ordnance Company and the
29th Division Train. These units are
said to be necessary to round out the
29th Division operating forces, and it
would be well to have them formed,
it was said, in the event that the War
Department again next year author
ICES the entire division to assemble
In one area for divisional maneuvers,
a plan arranged for last Summer but
which was knocked out by the intan-
tile paralysis epidemic.
The 260th Coast Artillery still needs,
to complete its battalion organization.
one 3-inch anti-aircraft gun bat
terry, and three additional machine
gun battery to complete the whole
regiment, the organization of which
has been assigned to this territory
There would also be needed for the
regimental unit the Headquarters and
Service batteries.
The 372d Infantry. a colored con-
tingent. now has only one company
here. To complete a battalion organ
ization, there would be needed three
additional infantry companies and a
battalion headquarters.
If the War Department should de-
eide to include the District of Colum-
bia in its plans for increasing the
National Guard, there would arise
here the very serious problem of pro-
viding additional armory space, not
only for storage rooms for the COM
pany equipment Immediately in use,
but for the reserve equipment.
1t was pointed out by Guard off,
cials that if the units are authorized,
it will be necessary to do some crowd
ing in the present armory structures,
but that the present outfits now are
cramped for space, with little hope
Of bettering the conditions under Con-
gress or one of the present fund allot-
ting administrations makes provision
for the construction Of new armory
on the Eastern Branch site.
The possibility that there rs an in
crease Of personnel pending for the
local Militia has been called to the
District Commissioners in submitting to
them the estimates for the support OF
the Guard for the next fiscal year.
If the War Department decides to
allot a portion of the 5000 troops
TO Washington it would be necessary
for the District to provide certain
funds for their maintenance, and it
Is Col. Oehmann's desire to be pre-
pared to accept the allotment.
1t became known last week that Col.
Oehmann made application for assign
ment Of the divisional units here last
year, but he was informed at that time
that the National Guard Bureau Of the
War Department was making study
of the situation, to work in the units
in connection with the tactical plans
being worked out by the general staff
The plan now is said TO be before the
general staff and a decision as to
where is expected in short time.
Maj. Walter w. Burns. commanding
the 1st Battalion. 260th Coast Artillery
here, has been designated as delegate
from the local militia to the annual
convention of the National Guard As
sociation Of the United States which
will be held at Santa Fe, N Mex, next
Wednesday. Thursday and Friday.
1t is expected that he will be in
structed to give his support to any
movement to have the national asso-
citation back legislation looking to the
prompt provision of funds for the con-
struction of an armory here for the
local militia. The national aSsocia-
ton last year instructed its legislative
committee to actively get behind the
local project, but 1t is understood that
nothing was done about it, 1t is the
belief Of the national officers, it was
said, as well as officials of the War
Department, that the Federal Gov
ernment should provide one of the
finest armories in the country for the
District of Columbia militia, because
of the fact that it is federalized
unit. 1t was asserted the Federal
Government should provide for such
a project as an example to the States
of what it expects in the way of
armories by the States. While the
local militiamen have been fighting
for years for a new armory project lit
Tie UT t1O IlcdUWGy IldS uCCh AlduC, oA-
though the States have gone ahead
with their srmory projects and many
of them are increasing their military
training buildings at the present time
under the share-the-co plan by the
Federal Government under the unem-
ployment relief projects.
Attention has been called to the fact
by local militia officers that, while the
local militiamen have been striving
for funds for an armory. Baltimore had
the misfortune to lose one of its big
gest armories by fire, but already has
rebuilt another in its place, showing,
they said, that the States look after
their militia units while the Federal
Government sits by and lets the Dis
trict trOoOS get their training under