Evening star., 1936-03-15
ROOSEVELT has
- before him a draft Of pro-
| posed bill authorizing the ap-


Il preparation Of 100000 for
the purchase Of sites for armories
needed here for the training Of the
National Guard of the District Of Co
lumbia. The paper was sent him dur
ing the week by Col. John w. Och
mann, commanding the local militia,
and asked for his approval. The re-
quest was sent direct to the President
because he is the commander in chief
of the local citizen soldiers.
The proposal for the sites bill is
a sequel to the submission to the
Works Progress Administration Of
request for the ALLEGATION of $2,250, 900
for the construction of armories here
to replace the present unsatisfactory
and more or less delapidated buildings
which the local troops now are re-
quired to use in taking their weekly
training courses.
While the local Guard officials have
not yet heard anything concerning
their Works Progress Administration
request, they nevertheless want to be
prepared In the event that that gov
ernmental agency approves the re-
quest. The funds If allotted from this
agency can only be used in the actual
construction, and 1t will be necessary
for sites to be provided with other
funds or the designation of land, at
present governmental owned, by Con-
gress.
If presidential approval is given to
the Oehmann measure it is under
stood that it will be sent to Congress
and steps taken to push its passage.
1t is possible that when the measure
comes up for consideration Congress
may elect to designate some Govern
ment land rather than appropriate
funds for the purchase of site from
private owners. Of course, private
sites for such a large project are
scarce, as the buildings would require
considerable land themselves, in ad-
dition to land for a parade ground
which could be used in good weather
during the Spring, Summer and Fall
months. Any site that is selected
also would have to have the approval
of the Fine Arts Commission and the
National Capital Park and Planning
Commission, which has tentatively
decided that the armory project
should be located in the eastern end
of the city on the Anacostia River.
However, its location there is not pos
sible until Congress officially desig-
mates the site, as the National Capital
Parks Office has ruled that it does not
have authority to designate sites for
structures.
1t is tentatively proposed to con-
struct two armories, one Of which
would house two regiments, the l2lst
Engineers and the 26oth Coast Artil-
lery, and the 29th Division headquar-
ters troops, and the other to house
the battalion of the 372d Infantry, the
colored troops. Plans giving general
idea of the design for the proposed
buildings were prepared some time
ago under the direction of Col. Och
vides for $50,000 to be used for the
preparation of the detailed plans in
the event that the Works Progress
Administration decides to grant the
request.
Tentative plans were developed dur
| ing the week for the use of the Ma
tional Guard rife range this Summer
by the regular organizations sta
toned in and around Washington, in
cluding the United States Army, r. o.
T. C. and c. M. T. C. camps, the Ma
rine Corps. Navy, District Police and
civilian rife clubs. Representatives OF
the regular units conferred with Col.
Oehmann, and it is expected that a
permanent schedule will be presented
in a short time.
1t was pointed out that the range
will not be available during daylight
working hours for civilian labor until
after June l. A number of changes
are being made in the target butts, in
cluding extension Of the 200-yaro
ranges. construction of a .22-callbeI
range and Improvements of the pistol
range. These are being made with
emergency funds, and while the work
was started during the Winter the
it has been retarded considerably
by the weather. 1t is hoped to have
the work finished by June /, it was
said, but this also will depend upon
weather conditions. However, 1t was
said that the ranges can be used in
the evening hours during the period
of construction.
Plans are being formulated by the
local militia to participate in the
Army day parade, to be held on the
afternoon of April 6. All units OF the
Guard, with appropriate motor and
other equipment, it was announced
will participate.
Officers of the Guard will hold q
"get together" at the Pennsylvania ave-
nue. armory on the evening OF March
81. This assembly is scheduled to pro-
mote better acquaintance, among the
officers of the Guard and to provide
opportunity for ''post-mortems" on the
inspections which now are being held
under the direction of officers Of the
Regular Army. There will not be any
formal program, but buffet supper
will be served.
All officers are expected to be pres
ent. The Committee on Mess Arrange
ments is composed of Maj. Clarence
S. Shields, 12lst Engineers, and Capt
Hugh Everett, jr, Special Troops, 29th
Division; Maj. Ralph S. Childs, 12lst
Engineers, and Capt. Leroy S. Mann
26oth Coast Artillery.
Sergt. Ellis H. Martin, Headquar-
ters and Service Company, l21st En-
gineers, having successfully passed all
competitive examinations, has been
placed on the eligible list from which
appointments in the grade of second
lieutenant in the National Guard will
be made. His grade was 82,l per cent
Sergt. Martin is a graduate of Prince
ton University.
Sergt. James M. Votava, Battery A.
260th Coast Artillery. has been ordered
transferred to the inactive National
Guard and assigned to war strength