Evening star., 1938-09-11
Coast Artiuerymen Prepare
For annual Property Check
National Guard Bandsn,en Concerned
Ouer Plan to Cut Extra Pay Section
From Old Lu,v.

Coast Artillery ofncers Of the Dis
trict National Guard are being warned
that the annual day Of reckoning on
property Is fast approaching, although
there is no date set as yet when the
Federal Army inspectors will check up
on the hundreds Of thousands Of dol
lars worth Of Army property loaned
to the local outfit for training pur-
poses. But they have been informed
that every bit of property must be
physically present, so that the inspec-
tor can see 1t before he will be given
credit. Otherwise. 1t will be charged
to him.
Col. Walter w. Burns, commanding
the Artillery unit, informed his officers
that during the inventory last year
there was much confusion and delay,
caused by property not being physic-
ally present in the armory for the
count.
The count will be held, some time,
he said, prior to December 81, and the
officers have been instructed that the
first drills Of the current armory period
should be devoted to the work of get
ting into the armory all property out
standing. The only excuse for prop
erty not being present will be the one
that 1t has been turned over to the
United States property and disbursing
ofncer for renovation and repair. How
ever, this excuse will have to be
backed up by a receipt signed by the
ofhcer in whose custody 1t might be.
Members of the band of the 12lst
Regiment Of Engineers are much con-
cerned over the proposal by the Com
missioners to have repealed a section
Of the organic act of the local militia
which authorizes payment Of addi-
tional compensation to bandsmen
when on duty for training or partici-
pating in parades.
1t was pointed out the section was
put into the law at the time for the
purpose Of having organized here a
band which would be a credit to the
local militia. 1t was added that II
an attempt is made to form a band of
naen from the ranks, who do not make
1t their business Of playing music that
the result might not be so attractive
when the organization is out before the
public. Professional musicians, 1t was
indicated, would not be attracted by
the mere pay Of an enlisted man in
the ranks and bandsmen point out
that their duty requires more training,
much Of which they must get at their
own expense.
Although the law is still IN effect,
there has not been in an appropriation
bill for several years the funds ear
marked to pay these men when or
dered out for duty. The result has
been that they have been required
to comply with the orders without
compensation. Many of the bands
men, in the belief that they were
entitled to the additional compensa-
ton, filed suits in the local courts.
which held that they were entitled to
all Of the pay, aggregating for all
approximately $4,000. OF course, the
District government will have to pay
this amount, but Congress will have
to be informed of the judgment in
the courts SO that the necessary money
may be appropriated.
Members see in the proposal Of the
Commissioners the beginning Of dis
integration Of the present band. They
point out that even though some of
them might like to stay in the Guard
service because they like it, there are
many others who would go out at
the end of their enlistments, and even
those professional musicians who like
the work would not want to play
with amateurs from which a new band
might be formed. However, those now
in the outfit would be required to
perform their duty until their enlist
ments expire, but doubt was expressed
as to whether there would be many re-
enlistments If there is possibility
that the section providing them with
the additional pay is repealed.
Capt. Hugh Everett, jr.. Headquar-
tiers Detachment, 29th Division, has
been transferred to the State staff.
Capt. Louis M. Gosorn. Infantry, State
Staff. has been transferred to the
Headquarters Detachment, 29th Divi-
sion, for duty.
Coincident with the return from the
annual training camps, SO enlisted
men have received transfers from
their active units to the inactive lists
on account of business interference.