Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1936-11-08
GUARD IS WORKING
ON ARM0RY PLAN
Officials Seeking to Pave
Way to Get Congress
Aid.

way TO Get Congress
Aid.
In an effort to grease the ways for
the provision Of an armory for the
National Guard Of the District Of
Columbia, ofiicials Of the local Guard
are seeking to have the President Of
the United States inform the Bureau
Of the Budget that such q project Is
not in conflict with the economy pro-
gram. The officers also are taking the
matter up with the Fiscal Relations
Committee to point out the difhculties
which have confronted the Guard for
more than a quarter Of century In its
efforts to provide adequate housing and
training facilities for the personnel
and equipment Of the local militia.
Oficials also are looking forward
to aid from the National Guard As
ISOLATION of the United States, which
passed . strong resolution directing
its officers to aid the voteless District
in its efforts to acquire funds for the
construction of building BETTING the
dignity Of the local militia as the only
Federalized militia in the country.
Although the National Guard As
ISOLATION last year moved that its
Executive Committee aid the District
Of Columbia authorities in obtaining
funds for an armory, no direct efforts
were made to obtain funds from
Congress. 1t was pointed out by the
local officials that the local armory
project was included in the general
armory program for all the States. and
many of which were provided. but the
District was lost in the shufle. This
was so. it was said. because there was
no site available, and the public works
funds were to be used only for the
payment for labor and materials.
1t was asserted that If the Guard
officials are successful in having the
armory project approved by the White
House and the Bureau Of the Budget,
then earnest efforts will be made
to have Congress provide the funds
and in this matter the active aid OF
the National Guard Association ON
Gals will be sought. It was pointed
out that many of the States have gone
ahead with their armory projects with
public works grants. because State
aid was provided, and particularly sites
were available.
In order to get this matter properly
before the authorities, the attention
of the Fiscal Relations Committee now
investigating District affairs will b
called to the fact that the District
Guard has no funds with which Il
meet grants Of the Federal Govern.
ment, and it must depend on District
authorities approval of its recommen-
dations. although the local militia i.
Federal project. Because of thi.
fact, they point out, it has become
more or less Of an orphan, so far a.
the matter Of an armory is concerned
The District authorities have felt thai
the Federal Government should beal
the expense Of erecting armory facil-
tiles here without calling on the Dis.
trict taxpayers, and the Federal Gov.
eminent has looked to the District
because in the States the militia are
State organizations. In the meantime
the Guard carries on its more than q
quarter Of q century fight to obtain
. building.
Local Guard of1cials hope that by
the time Congress convenes the mat.
ter Of who should properly bear the
construction expense for an armory
here will be settled, and that they will
be free to go to Congress to make an
earnest appeal for funds, as the pres
ent buildings are deteriorating SC
rapidly it is q question of how long a
roof can be kept over the heads of the
citizen troops.
The sheds which house the expensive
anti-aircraft searchlights and guns OF
the 260th Coast Artillery are literally
full OF holes, permitting water to flow
over the apparatus during heavy rains
and SHOWS. The main armory building
at Sixth street and Pennsylvania ave-
nue.. which houses the divisional troops
and the 121st Regiment of Engineers,
is hotel building more than 100 years
old, and in time of heavy rainst the
custodians Of the armory have to
spend much time hauling out heavy
tarpaulins to protect the expensive
field equipment loaned the Guard by
the War Department for training pur-
poses.
It was asserted that II the Guard
ofncialS can convince the Fiscal Rela.
lions Investigation Committee Of the
desirability Of recommending that .
portion Of the funds be provided by
the District, that part of the battle Will
be won, o the various States are max
ing sixable contributions to the Fed
eral allotments for the construction
Of their armories.