Evening star., 1937-12-19
GENERAL DESIRED
BY LOCAL MILITIA
High Command Has Been
Vacant for Nearly
Three Years.

With the substantial increase dur
ing the past year in the size and num-
Der Of organizations forming the Dis
trict National Guerd. those familiar
with the military activities here ex-
pressed the hope that the War De-
partment will present to President
Roosevelt a recommendation that he
appoint commanding general for
this organization. For nearly three
years the National Capital militia has
been going along with q vacancy in
It's high command, created by the
death Of Maj. Gen. Anton Stephan.
Little has been said in official mill
tary circles during the past several
months concerning the appointment,
although there is an undercurrent of
discussion seeking to ferret out the
reasons for the War Departments
failure to name some one to fill the
position. But there has been no off,
cial announcement since the death of
Gen. Stephan why an appointment
was not made.
The President Of the United States,
under the organic act OF the local
militia, Is required to name a COM
manding general for the local troops.
The act says that he shall" name a
commanding general But, obviously
the President is not expected to be
cognizant of such details, it was ex-
planned, but the officers of the War
Department have full knowledge of
the military conditions here through
their contact by way Of the National
Guard Bureau, and, officers explained,
1t Is plainly up to them to point out
to the President the mandatory fea-
lures OF the law and make recon-
mendation for the appointment.
Since the death of Gen. Stephan
there have been several candidates for
the appointment, both within and
without the Guard Some of them
have the backing of high regular and
militia officers and have pointed out
that the Guard should not be allowed
to proceed further without having an
officer Of general rank.
While the District does not have
a brigade OF troops Of a particular
arm of the service, such as Infantry,
Cavalry. Field Artillery, ETC.. which
ordinarily is the command of briga-
dier general, nevertheless it was
pointed out at various times the Army
forms composite brigade made up
Of various branches for a special
service or duty, ana puts it in COM
mand OF a general officer. Such has
been the case right here in Wash
ington. There is not a brigade of
troops in the. district of Washington
area, formed from any particular arm,
but there are some of practically all
branches. However, in order to give
the District the prestige and dignity
1t ranks by virtue of being the head
quarters Of the Army, brigadier gen.
eral was named from the Regular
establishment to direct military af-
fairs here.
The same condition prevails in the
militia field here. it was explained.
More and more the local militia Is
participating not only in military
functions here, but in civic affairs.
1t was pointed out that to give the
prestige which Is due the Guard it
should have brigadier general to
represent 1t in such functions, and
he should have a staff of outstanding
aides to assist in this work. As briga-
dier general, his duties would not be
confined to the details of drills and
exercises and he would be free to
get the larger aspect of the local
military situation and give substan-
tial aid in the formation of policies
which would bring about improve
ment in the service and get for it
the necessary equipment and build
ings which are needed to properly
train the force
Since the death of Gen. Stephan
the commanding has been directed
by the next senior officer. However,
this officer is also commander of the
largest unit here, and besides he has
important divisional duties which re-
quire considerable amount of his
attention.