Evening star., 1940-09-08

While none of the units OF the
National Guard of the District Of
Columbia were named in the or
ders of the President of the United
States calling the first of the mi
litia to the colors for a year of
raining, nevertheless the local troops
are making preparations for an ear
ly call. Brigade headquarters has
no definite information as to when
the local citizen soldiers will be
called upon to take to the training
camp, they have unoficial reports.
The dates of October IS and De-
cember IS have been tentatively
given.
Because of the fact that the first
troops came from so-called non-in-
dustrial areas so as not to disturb
the preparations In these sections
for handling the national defense
manufacturing processes. 1t was sug-
gested that the District may have
been left in q deferred status be-
cause of the fact that many Of its
members are in the Federal govern
mental agencies which are dealing
with national defense problems, and
a sudden call to the colors may
serve to disrupt some of these ac-
tivities. Some of the members Of
the Guard even work in the Wash
ington Navy Yard.
1t is likely that the local militia
officials will take steps during the
next few weeks to have their men,
berS who are employed in the Gov
ernment departments and agencies
here to ascertain their availability
for immediate service. 1t is known
that some of the positions held by
national guardsmen and reservists
have been designated as key posi-
tions, and in these cases the Judge
Advocate General of the Army has
held that these officers and men
may not even be called for the usual
two weeks of training. 1t was in
dicated that about so per cent of
the members of the local Guard are
employed by the Government.
But whenever the call is received
the local ofhcials say that it will be
for the 10Th National Guard Di-
vision as whole. This division in
cludes the militia in this city, as
we'll as in the States of MARYLAND
and Virginia and a portion of that
In Pennsylvania. However, the 260th
Coast Artillery, an anti-aircraft unit
commanded by Col. Walter w. Burns,
is not a part of the divisional Or
ganization. and Of course a division
al call would not include these
troops.
There is belief among the local
higher ranking officers that the To-
cal troops, together with others in
the division will be sent to Fort
Meade, Md. The Anti-Aircraft
Coast Artillery Regiment might be
sent to Fort Story. Va. where il
usually holds its annual two weeks
training encampment each summer
Oficials here expressed doubt that
Camp Albert c. Richie, at Cascade
Md, the State training camp OF the
Maryland National Gaurd, and
Camp Byrd. at Virginia Beach, Va,
were large enough to accommodate all
Of the troops of the division for
training purposes. Officials OF
brigade headquarters indicate the
troops favor being concentrated at
Fort George G. Meade, Md, which
is close to their home station.
While waiting for the call, the
troops are storing away their pro-
perty which was used on the maneu-
vers. All of 1t Is being closely in.
spected to ascertain whether it Is
in the best of condition to stand q
year of field service. That which
can be repaired is being set aside
for the work to be done, while that
on the borderline will be surveyed
to authorize its discard and re.
placement with new paraphenaia
The units of the local brigade also
must be ready to equip the large
number of recruits which they ex.
pect will be enlisted prior to the