Evening star., 1937-03-14

Nu Artillery OF the National
w Guard OF the District of Co
lumbia must forego their
planned road march Of 1000 miles
this year. The War Department has
decided that this is not the time for
the anti-aircraft gunners TO take their
equipment and go rumbling through |
the East Coast States to Fort Niagara,
N. Y.
Brigade headquarters here an
nounced last week it has been decided |
the Coast Artillery Regiment, COM |
manded by Lieut.. Col. Walter S. Burns, |
must go to Fort Story, Va. While |
these orders are likely to prove a
disappointment to the members of
this command, it is believed that, next !
to the road march, it should prove
attractive, as it will provide broader
training than they have been able
hailing distance Of one of Virginia's
largest Summer resorts.
For many years the Coast Artillery
men have been going, almost as a
matter OF routine, to Fort Monroe, Va.
They have camped with the Regulars
and have had the use of the more
modern equipment for training and
target practice. But the target prac-
tice has been limited to some extent
because of the location of the fort,
which makes it necessary many times
for long delays, because ships are
frequently crossing the line Of fire.
1t was pointed out by officers that,
as Fort Story is located on the At
lantic Coast just south of Cape Henry,
artillerymen would have more ad-
vantages in their target practice
They will have broader field of fire
and there is very little shipping in
the angle where their fire will be
directed. Also, after the arduous
duties are completed each day, it will
be only matter Of few minutes
transportation for the men from the
camp site to Virginia Beach, the pop
ular Summer resort
While the dates for the encampment
have not been set, it was pointed out,
1t will be held some time in July An
other matter that has not been set
tied is whether the Artillery men will
proceed to their camp site over the
road or by train. In the past it has
been the practice for the organization
to proceed overland in their own auto
motive equipment, taking two days in
the march. However, the War Depart
ment this year is discouraging road
marches and is making contracts with
the railroads for the transportation
by rail. 1t already has been announced
the l21st Regiment of Er 'neers Will
proceed to Camp Albert c. Ritchie at
Cascade, Md, by train instead of by
motor trucks.
1nadequacy of local Guard armory
facilities is being brought pointedly to
the attention Of Regular Army officers
who are here for the inspection of the
personnel and material of the local
troops. The Engineer units were put
through their various tests last week
to determine their military proficiency.
but the space available for maneuvers
Is so small only one company can be
assembled on each night for the tests.
This results in extending the inspec-
ton period over a period of a month.
AS for display of battalion and regi-
mental drill efficiency. that is beyond
the question. The only available space
in the armory for maneuvers is what
| was one time dining room and this is
small even when company attempts
10 execute the intricate movements
Officers Of the Guard are working in
a movement to develop plans to have
/ Congress provide funds with which an
armory can be constructed for the
Guard. However, the officers in charge
OF this project say they have not yet
developed plans which they are ready
to make public, but they hope to find
means of providing a program which
will not be downed by having the
Bureau of the Budget report that it is
in conflict with the Presidents finan-
cial program.
! The laxneSS on the part of Con-
gress and the Federal Government in
failing to provide building for the
training of the District of Columbia
troops is developing interest in many
parts OF the country, where there ap-
pears to be general feeling that the
National Capital troops should have
an armory which would be a model
! for the country.
| The local headquarters received a
letter during the week from Col Elgan
| c. Robertson, commanding the 206th
] fnoct Artt Not
Arkansas, which contained. it was
said, some suggestions which might
be helpful to the officers of the local
Guard who are planning the armory
! program.
| Col. Robertson, it was said, among
other things, pointed out in the letter
that other large cities in the country
have been provided with magnificent
armories, and that the troops of the
National Capital at least should have
an armory which would compare IA
vorably with any of these, Or even be
better. because Of the fact that the
District troops are federalized and are
located at the seat of Government
| OAASSao vi 1oSdl ktlS dp-
peared last week before the subcom-
mittee Of the House Appropriations
Committee having charge of the Dis
trict OF Columbia appropriation bill,
in which the money for the support
OF the Guard during the coming fiscal
year is carried. They explained the
estimates which had been made for
the support of the local militia dur
ing that period and they expressed
the hope their requests will be al
| lowed in full.
The attention Of all members of the
Guard has been invited to a letter
received last week from the National
Guard Bureau OF the War Depart
ment warning against the practice Of
members Of some militia units
throughout the country Of having their
congressman write to the War De-
partment for copies Of publications
used in the instruction Of the Guard
mi ~ ~