Evening star., 1935-11-24

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nlanding the National Guard of the
District Of Columbia, for developing
q plan to present to Congress at the
coming session, for the provision Of
o suitable and permanent armory here
for the training Of the citizen troops
now compelled TO take their training
in the most unsatisfactory quarters
ever assigned them in the history
of the local militia.
While the details have not been
perfected, it was indicated that the
new adjutant general Of the guard,
Col. Joseph K. Portfolio, U. S. A.,
will be urged to use his time to de-
velop a plan for obtaining the funds,
and then presenting the matter to
Congress. During this time, 1t is
proposed TO relieve him Of the arduous
duties in connection with the train
ing Of the local troops.
The officers of the local militia,
including those of the 29th Division
staff on duty here, the 121St Engineers,
the 260th Coast Artillery, the divisional
special troops, were presented to the
new adjutant general on Friday night
by Col. Oehmann.
In preparation for the armory con-
Struction efforts, Col Oehmann has
instructed Lieut.. Col. Peyton c. hewitt,
assistant adjutant general. to prepare
a complete history of the activities
over a period of a quarter of a century
to obtain suitable armory facilities
here for the miitiamen. When this
is completed, it will be laid before
the adjutant general, and his advice
and recommendations sought on the
matter of the best way to present
1t. Until Col. Portfolio has had an
opportunity to digest the armory his
tory. no plans will be made by the
militia officers for presenting the
matter to Congress.
The new adJutant general will be
given q free hand in promoting the
armory project. In fact, it was in
dicated that practically all of the
details will be left to him, with fun
authority to discuss the matter with
the District Commissioners, the Budget
Bureau and members of Congress.
The armory efforts here have
covered more than a quarter of a
century, and they even reached a
point at one time prior to the World
War when Congress appropriated funds
for the drawing Of plans and specif-
cations and these are now in the
Guard files. But no funds have been
provided either for a site Z the
building, although several s..vern-
ment sites have been selected from
time to time. However, the Planning
Commission has said now that the
Congress must pass special legislation
designating a site for an armory II
1t provides the funds for the build
ing.
1t appears now that the local Guard
ofhcials will have TO develop their
own strategy III Congress for the
construction. Although the National
Guard Association passed a resolution
directing the naming Of committee
to aid in the efforts to obtain a
building for the District of Columbia
Guardsmen, it is not expected that
the committee would be as active as
those Of the local militia who are
right on the scene. However, if it
is determined to press special legis-
lation through Congress, it is possible
that the committeeman may be called
upon 10 have their representatives Ii
Congress support the project.
1t is believed that if the local
oficials can prevail upon members of
Congress who would have consid-
Grafton Of the matter in charge to
visit the central armory here as we'll
as some Of the other buildings used
for armory purposes, they would be
more convinced of the need than by
mere talk or testimony at hearing.
They could be shown the thousands
Of dollars worth of Federal Govern
ment property which would be needed
In time Of war subjected constantly to
storm and water damage because of
the leaks in the building now occupied
as the central armory at Sixth street
and Pennsylvania avenue. Further
more. they would find that the District
units are scattered throughout the
city, which is considered detrimental
to efficient military management.
Tentative plans have been made for
mobilization of the 29th National
Guard Division Staff at Richmond,
Va, about the middle of next month,
it was announced at the division head
quarters here. Maj Gen. Milton A
Reckoro, commanding this division, as
well as the National Guard Of Mary
land, has been in conference with Col
John A. Cutchins. chief of staff of
The division, at Richmond, Va, regard
ing the proposed mobilization.
1t is expected that by the time the
officers meet for the conference, Gen.
Reckord will have some definite word
from the War Department as to the
time and place for the camps next
year. 1t is the hope of the general,
and he has made the recommendation,
that the division, which Is composed
Of the militiamen in this city and the
States of Maryland and Virginia, be
mobilized as unit next year. Such
plan was developed last year, but the
infantiIe paralysis epidemic wrecked
the plans in q few weeks and the units
merely assembled in their respective
State camps.
In view of the fact that this division
has never held q complete mobiliza-
ton, it is known that Gen. Reckord
would like to see the plans repeated
this year so as to test the plans which
have been worked out on paper. No
definite time or place have been