Evening star., 1937-06-27
ARMORY PROJECT
STUDY ORDERED
President Directs Commits
sioner Sultan to Include Es-
innate in Next Budget.

For the first time in nearly quar-
ter OF century the District National
Guard appears heading in the direc-
ton OF getting something done in the
matter OF an armory
The committee appointed by the
Adjutants Generals Association at its
recent convention here to take the
matter up directly with President
Roosevelt made a contact with the
White House. according to Maj Gen.
National Guard of Maryland as well
as the 29th National Guard Division,
Of which the District troops are
part AS result of the conference.
it was said, President Roosevelt issued
instruction to direct Col. Sultan, U.
S. Army. to study the armory stu
alton and determine what is needed
and include a recommendation for
the necessary funds for construction
in the estimates for the next fiscal
year
In the meantime plans are being
formulated for getting an appropri-
alton in the supplementary War De-
partment appropriation bill with
which to purchase site for the
building and for the preparation Of
the plans and specifications. 1t is
proposed to ask, it was said, s250,00O
for the site and $50, 900 for the prepa-
ration OF the plans and specifications.
The Importance OF getting the
S250,000 for the site Immediately is
being stressed by the Guard oficers,
as the land outlined by the Park and
Planning Commission for the armory
Is at the eastern terminus OF East
Capitol street, and this land now is
being divided for buildings, and un-
less action Is prompt it will be neces-
sary to buy the new buildings. II
the buildings get up there is a fear
Congress would frown on the project
because OF the fact that it would have
to buy new dwellings. Prompt action,
it was said will save the Govern
ment hundreds of thousands Of dol
lars
Because OF the instructions issued
to Col. Sultan by the President. it is
hoped and believed that the Budget
Bureau will not rule it out as not
being in conformity with the Presi-
dents financial program.
1t Is understood oflcials Of the local
engineer department office are work
Ing strenuously on the matter and
that Col. Sultan will have enough
information to make . recommended
tion at the time the Districts budget
for next year is prepared.
1t was pointed out the great DIM
Guilty which has faced the Guard
In its efforts to get permanent
home is because it has not been able
to get political and official backing.
Col. John w. Oehmann. command
building inspector. which comes under
the engineer ofncer of the District.
He is in a position to keep close
contact with the Army officer and
Commissioner and give information
first hand of the District problems
and its needs as to armory facilities
1t was his close contact with the
local situation which brought out the
fact that the land proposed for an
armory site was about to be cut up
for residences.
With the committee from the adju-
tants general group. coming as they
do from States where they can WELD
tremendous amount of influence
prepared to follow up the Districts
problems. officers feel certain some
thing definite will be done by Con-
gress and that next year the build
ing funds will come forth.