Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1936-04-26

active LIST Tor various pur-
~ poses and for which, under
ordinary circumstances, they are not
available for field training duty dur
ing the encampment period each Sum-
mer, are to be given an opportunity
to serve with the troops during the
coming Summer, it was announced at
local Guard headquarters.
The local Militia headquarters has
received a communication from the
National Guard Bureau of tie War
Department announcing that as many
as possible will be permitted to go to
the camp this year.
This year the National Guard Blu
reau." says communication from the
department, which was made public
here, desires to inaugurate field
training for inactive officers in as great
numbers as possible. There has been
prepared and will be sent out, as soon
as the current appropriations bill is
passed by the Congress. notification to
Ill Of the States that inactive officers
may be sent to field training in num-
bers not to exceed the authorized active
oficer strength of the State. This
means that an inactive officer can be
sent to camp in lieu of each absentee
oficer and also In each case where an
authorized vacancy exists.
There Is now in the inactive Ma
tional Guard a total Of $50 ofncers.
The bureau estimates that not more
than so per cent of these will be able
to attend on account Of business or
other reasons and probably not to ex-
coed so per cent of the remainder will
have met the qualifications required by
National Guard regulations. namely. 40
hours of military work per year; not
less than 20 hours of which shall have
been the completion Of appropriate ex-
tension courses. It is desired that
these lists be submitted by States as
early as possible and that the submis-
sion of requests containing one or only
Q few names be held to a minimum.
The memorandum to be sent out will
REQUIRE that these lists be submitted
not less than 80 days in advance OF the
field training period, but the bureau
will be prepared to take care OF emer-
gency requests between that time ana
the opening date of the camp. The
National Guard has gone to camp each
year with shortage of something near
1000 officers below the authorized
strength, so that the provisions that
have been outlined should take care OF
all inactive officers who are in posi-
ton to attend camp and who have
qualified themselves therefor.
The need of ! 900 armories in ap-
proximately 300 locations was pointed
out lin report prepared for the
Adjutants General Associations, as
one. of the important needs of the
National Guard from a training
standpoint.
More than year ago. the report
Gays, the National Guard Association
and the Adjutants General Associa-
ton Of the United States sponsored
program Of the construction of arm
cries for the National Guard Of each
State and the District Of Columbia.
At that time records Of the War De-
partment showed approximately 1000
armories owned either by the State or
the organization housed therein and
approximately 1000 armories that
were rented or donated for the use
of the National Guard Association.
"A preliminary survey" the report
continued. revealed the need Of
around 1000 armories in approx
nnately 900 locations. There was,
however, no standard thought or de-
sign as to plan. type and cost of such
armories. Practically all of the rented
or donated quarters were totally in
adequate for training purposes, care
and preservation of Federal property
stored therein. Many were physically
unsafe The records of the War De-
partment indicate that there is over
S150000,000 of Federal property now
the responsible charge of the National
Guard of the various States. Since
1880 there have been more than 1000
guns and more than 100000 rounds
Of ammunition stolen from armories.
This plan was brought to the at
tention Of the Military Affairs Com
mittee of the House and Senate. It
was felt that such program was ia
vored. The National Guard Associa-
ton and the adjutants general of each
State. after their several meetings and
hearings here in Washington, left with
the complete understanding that ap-
proximately S80,000,000 would be ear
marked for 100 per cent grant of the
cost of these armories. This was indi-
Gated by bill S. 1869 introduced by
Senator Sheppard, chairman of the
Committee on Military Affairs of the
Senate. recently passed by the Senate
and which is now before the House
committee.
Effort to ear-mark this sum of
money for the construction of
armories, however, was withdrawn
when it was learned that such action
was not in accordance with admins
tration desires. 1t was understood,
though, that some plan would be devel-
oped whereby this program could be &C
complished without such action. With
this understanding, the program was
discussed with Mr.. Harry L. Hopkins
for consideration by the Works Prog
ress Administration and an arrange
ment was made whereby it became the
purpose of the Works Progress Ad-
ministration to build National Guard
armories as part of the program Of
Public Works Construction for the
employment Of relief clients. A pro-
gram has now been developed which
includes the construction Of new
armories; alterations, additions and
modernization and repairs Of existing
state-owned armories; repairs and
construction Of camp and aviation
.acilities fo- the National Guard Of
the State. The officials and the
stan Of the Works Progress Admins
-tration In Washington and in most
States have co-operated to help de-
velop this program.
such . program Is In keeping
with the program of National De-
tense: provides for TIE care and pres
ervation of Fede property; also
furnishes adequat facilities. for the
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