Evening star., 1936-04-12
UT of the plans being for

mory construction program
~ officials of the Nationa
Guard Of the District of Columbis
are hoping that their quarter of a.
century old projcc. will bear fruit
The armory project was threshed out
in detail at the meeting of the Ad.
jutant Generals Association here
This association is made up Of ad.
jutants general from all of tht
States having National Guard units
| and it holds an annual meeting here
in conjunction with officers of the
War Department charged with the
duty of keping tine militia In a hign
state of efficiency.
During the course of the discussions
1t was disclosed that funds asked
for the construction of a building
here Is far in excess of the amounts
allotted to individual armories in the
States, but it was pointed out that
this was due to the fact that any
building here erected for this pur-
pose must conform to the archi-
tectural standards for buildings In
the National Capital. The District
authorities have asked for the allo-
cation of $2,250,oGO for the construc-
ton of building, the site to be pro-
vided by other means, either by as
Signment of land now owned by the
Government here or by the appro-
priation of funds for purchase from
private sources
Legislation proposed to provide a
site for the armcrv In the event that
the local officials are successful in
having their project included in the
national program has been submitted
to the President by Col. John w.
Oehmann. However, he has been in
formed that his letter containing the
proposal was referred by the Chief
Executive to the Budget Bureau, and
that the latter Office has sent the
matter TO the Commissioners for
comment So far as could be learned,
the Commissioners have not made a
reply to the Budget Bureau How
ever, some time ago they gave their
approval to the construction project
when they forwarded the recommen-
dation for the ALLEGATION of the ST.
250000 fund with which to construct
the building.
The national project for armories
calls for the ALLEGATION of 5000, 900
for construction purposes alone, and
in this fund IS included the District
Of Columbia's project. However, be-
cause of the large amount of the Dis
trict's request, it was indicated that,
If granted, there would have to be
some changes in the rules and reg
ulations governing Works Progress
Administration allotments. 1t was
pointed out at The local militia head
quarters that The present regula-
tions prohibit projects in excess of
S25,000 However it was pointed out
that this works very we'll with the
States where their units are scat
tered to all places. and usually only
one company of regiment in a
town. 1t was asserted that, taking
the number of units which are CEN
tered in Washington and multiply
ing by the amount allowed for a num-
Der Of armories IL the States, the
amount of the Districts request does
not appear excessive. Here the troops
are all centered III one area.
Despite the limitation of the works
progress regulations, it was said that
the armory plans discussed at the
meeting of the adjutants general
provided for armories costing from
$4,000 to $4,000 each. There are
said to be total of 745 armories in
the national plan to cost total of
s44, 900, 900. In addition to this prof.
ect. which is the small armory project,
it was indicated that there is another
program for armories which will house
more than one unit. and in this
group there are ITS projects, among
which is included the Disthict's prof.
ect. The total for this group is
estimated at S3l 100000.
1t was asserted that the District
of Columbia now has 20 units. and
with the additional units which have
been allocated to the District under
the Army tables of organization, it
was indicated that this amount will
be doubled, so that the Districts re-
quest for s2,250,00O does not appear
to be out of line with the. amounts
estimated for other buildings.
With the program laid down, the
association plans to keep a close
watch on its progress through the
Government mill, and has appointed
a special committee for this pur-
pose. OF course, the great problem
for the District in the event that
its proposal is allowed is the matter
of the site, as it is one of the pro-
visions Of works progress ALLEGATIONS
that the money must be used only
for labor and materials. The site
must be provided, and it was indi-
Gated that every effort will be made
to push this proposed legislation with
all the vigor possible.
It is the hope of National Guard
officials that the Federal recognition
will be extended to two units organ
lied out of the increase in enlisted
men allowed the District of Columbia
within a short time. Plans were
made a couple of weeks ago, when
authority was received. but the order
was subsequently rescinded, the ex-
cuSe being that the department was
awaiting the passage of the Army ap-
preparation bill by Congress before
authorizing the acceptance of the
new units into the Federal program.
The units have been called to forma-
tion several times, but as yet no action
has been taken.
Last week. however, word was again
received that the lid had been lifted
and that the units would be taken
into the Federal program, and it is
hoped that this can be brought about
Immediately SO that the units can
begin preparations for camp, which
this year takes the form Of a gigantic
divisional maneuver, the first in the
history Of the 29th National Guard
Division, which is composed of militia
units Of this city, those in the States
of Maryland and Virginia, and sec
ton Of Artillery from Pennsylvania.