Evening star., 1937-04-04
D. c. GUARD OFFERS
ARMORY PROGRAM
Project Covering Ten Years
Sent to Presidents Build
ing Commission.

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With the hope the elimination Of a
25-year fight for an armory for the
National Guard of the District OF Co.
lumbia Is near, Col. John w. Oehmann,
commanding the local militia, last week
submitted to the Presidents Com
mission on Federal Building Program
in the District of Columbia q pro-
posed 10-year program for armory con-
struction. While details of the plan
as submitted were withheld, 1t was in
dicated 1t provides for the construc-
ton OF two armories and considerable
development on the target range at
Camp Simms, Congress Heights, d. G.
The program was submitted as a re-
suit of a request from the chairman
Of the commission, Harold L. Ickes. 1t
is understood it requests provision be
made for the construction Of two ar
mories here, one for the housing OF
the white troops and one for the
housing Of battalion Of colored
troops. It b also understood the
buildings, as proposed, would be large
enough to take care Of not only the
units as now organized, but for SUCH
expansions as are provided for in the
tables Of organization Of the Guard
for some future development as Con-
gress provides for an increase IN the
militia land forces. For instance, the
colored contingent consists now OF only
one company, but it is probable some
time in the future an entire battalion
will be organized At least a force
OF that size has been provided for IN
the tables Of organization and has been
allocated to the militia Of this city.
1t was explained one of the dlff1-
culties in drawing up definite pro-
gram for the consideration OF the
commission was the lack OF a dennlte
site for armories. The National Cap
ital Park and Planning Commission,
it was explained, has set up gen.
eral area in which is has decided the
armory should be built If one Is au-
thorized, but no definite site has
been selected or provided. This mat
ter must be decided by Congress, II
the Guard Is left to its own resources
in seeking building, or 1t must be
included in the recommendations OF
the building commission. Further
more. it was explained. definite ideas
of construction cannot be reached
until some information is obtained as
to a certain site, as land selected for
one type of building would require
H.. -
that selected for another type. Other
wise the Guard might end in its rec
concentrations for a particular type OF
building which it believes is needed to
best serve It's purposes and this might
not be suitable for the site which
might be selected by the commission.
Because OF the lack OF this informa.
ton. the Guard officers found it i'm
possible to include 4 recommendation
for site in the program as submitted.
Guard officers feel some agency OF
the Government should be definitely
ordered to select site for the pro-
posed armory, when steps could be
promptly taken to prepare the neces-
sary plans. There is hope the COM
mission will promptly act on the
Guard recommendations, as it is felt
nothing definite can be done now IN
the way OF seeking an armory by di-
rect appeal to Congress until 1t Is
known Just what the commission
has in mind. Oficers are fearful
| II they make such direct appeal At this
time they will be met with the ex-
PLANTATION nothing can be done while
the matter Is being studied by the
| commission.
Although the program, as sub
| mitted, calls for a l0-year program,
there Is hope some decision will be
made to provide an armory for the
large units promptly, as the buildings
which they now occupy are most un-
satisfactory for training purposes.
The Sixth street armory, hotel
building more than century old,
houses the largest body Of troops, and
there is a fear that almost weekly
the organization will find it neces-
sary to seek other quarters, as it is on
site purchased originally for the
construction and development Of the
proposed Municipal Center. Since 1t
was purchased the recommendation
has been put forth that that part OF
the site along Pennsylvania avenue be
sold and the funds used to construct
needed buildings on the north end OF
the site, in the vicinity Of the District
court buildings.
Guard officers are fearful their
plans will be delayed for another year
because OF being held up and consid-
cred in connection with gigantic
Federal building program here.
While q number Of the States con-
structed armories with funds OBJ
tanned from the Public Works Admin
istration, the District was unable to
get its program through there be-
cause Of the lack of site. There was
also an indication the District pro-
gram provided for buildings more Or
nate than is required for the training
Of troops. While it was explained the
States could adjust their building
programs to mere housing for the
troops, which could be built for COM
paratively small amount, the District
authorities, in their building pro-
grams, have to provide for a most
costly construction, because their
buildings have to conform to certain
definite esthetic ideas involved in the
construction OF Federal buildings
here.
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