Evening star., 1947-10-16
Arnory
Continued From First Page

Mayhew, jr.. 703 Wesicott street,
Falls Church, Va, president of the
Headquarters Detachment AsSocia-
ton" an enlisted mans benefit
organization which was founded on
orders of Gen. Cox. month ago.
There are II members.
Mr.. Mayhem said the contract
was brought to him by two other
members of the group, who told him
he was supposed to sign the con-
tract" The young man finally was
brought from his job by National
Guard staff car to the Armory on
October 7. where he signed the con-
tract
Asked how the Headquarters De-
tachment Association came to be
negotiating for lease of the Armory
drill hall and to accept money for
its use. Guard members explained
that the association functions as did
wartime company funds" for en-
listed men. Gen. Cox said there are
20 similar organizations either in
existence or being formed within
the District Guard.
Gen. Cox, whose signature appears
on the bottom of the $500 contract
with the Homebuilders approving
the contract, said all the benefit or
ganizations will get turn at "spoll-
soring" events in the Districts S
Armory. The associations were Or
dered into being by Gen. Cox for
the mutual benefit of enlisted pr
sonnel of the Guard.
Each organizat ton will keep only
the small amount of $40 per mem
Der from any funds obtained through
events they sponsor, Gen. Cox said.
The remainder will be used to pro-
vide athletic equipment and for
maintenance of the vast edifice,
Gen. Cox said.
Lease Signed Voluntarily.
Gen Cox said the headquarters
detachment signed the lease volun-
tarily and not under a military order
to do so. Mr.. Mayhem, however,
said his Executive Committee never
saw the contract although the by
laws provide that the committee must
approve all such deals. NH. Mayhem
told The Star he felt the Executive
Committee had been "by-pasSed'
by the higher-ups in the $685. con-
tracts.
The money was paid over to the
Headquarters Detachment Associa-
tion on the same day the contract
was signed.
Mr.. Mayhem frankly stated his
part in the arrangement between
the home builders and the detach-
ment association. He said the by
laws were sent to him by Col. Pey-
ton G. hewitt, adjutant general OF
the District Guard, shortly after the
organization was formed.
That was the last I heard of the
whole thing until the home builders
contract came up" Mr.. Mayhem de-
clared.
No Part in Negotiations.
He said he had no part in the
negotiations with the home builders
for use of the hall. A spokesman
for the home builders, however, said
the, negotiations were handled by
Col. Nevitt. Mr.. Mayhem said the
lease was brought to him by two
enlisted men who are officers of the
detachment association.
After being advised that he was
supposed" to sign the lease, Mr.
MAYHEM said. Il signed it and went
back to work"
He said J. K. Varella. treasurer
of the Headquarters Detachment
Association, telephoned him the
night before the contract was
brought to him and said Gen. Cox
had the contract in his office and
wanted it signed between 8 and 8
am" the following day.
Went to Commissioners.
The HomebuilderS came on the
scene several weeks ago when they
decided to negotiate for use of the
armory in connection with the show.
Not knowing with whom to place
the request for use of the hall rep
resentativeS of the association went
to the Commissioners.
The Commissioners said it was
all right with theu, but were un-
able to give definite assurance that
the National Guard would not be
using the hall for military purposes
on the dates sought by the Home
builders.
Under the law, the Guard has pri.
ority to use the drill hall, but the
armory may be used for other pur.
poses if the Guard has not scheduled
an event.
Asked what suitable price woule
be for rental of the hall, it is under.
stood. the Commissioners suggested
$4,000.
The Homebuilders then went t
Gen. Cox and requested permission
to occupy the drill hall for the dura
ton of their show. Gen. Cox vel.
coined the Homebuilders, accordins
to reports, but stipulated a rental O.
$500.
Col. hewitt at first wanted 1t stated