Evening star., 1947-09-05
Showdown Seen
Custodia|
Move al Armorv
Commissioners Plan
To Put Own Force
On Maintenance Job

nc iON UcGWccl Tile CITY IaClSrS
and the District National Guard
over control of the Guards Armory
may be headed for a quick show
down, with the District Commits
sioners planning on October / to
send custodial and maintenance
force to care for the structure.
Eventually the force will be built
up to so men, 1t was said.
Congress, in the current District
Appropriation Act, authorized $209,-
600 for armory maintenance, to be
spent by the superintendent Of Dis
trict buildings.
Howard o. Akers, assistant super
intendent Of District buildings, said
the Civil Service Commission has
Just approved the papers setting up
these new jobs. The District gov
eminent is recruiting the new force.
The Public Buildings Administration
now is operating the building op
funds transferred from the District
government recently, Mr.. Akers ex-
planned.
: Mr.. Akers was unable to say how
contracts for public exhibitions, al
ready entered into by the Guard, will
be handled after the city fathers
send in the operating force.
New Problems in Prospect
The latest development in the
fight between the District Commis-
soiners and the Guard over control
of the Armory will bring new prob
lens. The question may arise over
whether the force of the supertn-
tendent will take orders from the
Guards commanding general, Brig.
Gen. Albert L. Cox, a Washington
lawyer. The attitude Of the Com
missioners over contracts already
entered into with outsiders by the
Guard for use of the Armory Is also
q factor.
Among the events now scheduled
by the Guard are: A meeting, Spon-
sored by the Junior Board of Com
merce at 8 pm. Tuesday to aid
Guard recruiting. which the Vet
erans of Foreign Wars is spear
heading; the annual Home Show
Exposition of the Home Builders
Association of Metropolitan Wash
ington, October 11-19; the George
Washington University homecoming
dance, November l, and a Thanks
giving Victory Carnival, November
%, to entertain champion Guard
recruiters from all over the country
Advisory Group Set Up.
Gen. Cox disclosed he has set up
an advisory group to aid him in
matters of public interest concerning
use of the Armory. Members include
Robert v. Fleming, chairman of the
group and president of the Riggs
National Bank; Carter T. Barron,
division manager of Loew's Inc;
Charles H. Hiflegeist, president OF
the Washington Real Estate Board;
Gardner Moore, president of the
Washington Hotel Association; Edgar
Morris, director of the United States
Chamber of Commerce and former
chairman of the Greater National
Capital Committee of the Washing
ton Board of Trade; Joseph c. Nc
Garraghy, past president OF the
trade board and chairman Of the
Greater National Capital Com
mittee; Alfred G. Neal, president of
the Potomac Electric Power Co., and
Clifford H. Newell, president Of the
Federation of Citizens Associations.
That the District Commissioners
realize the Guard controls the
Armory is shown by the fact that,
on the last day of Congress, they
introduced a bill asking they be
given control of the building, Gen.
Cox contended. He said the Com
missioners never have consulted him
about the money to be realized
from the public events.
Earmarks Money for Facilities.
Gen. Cox said he expects to use
the money realized from public use
of the Armory to provide facilities
there. He said lockers for the en-
listed men are needed, as well as
desks, chairs, public address
system, seating for the drill hall
and other necessities.
After these facilities are provided,
Gen. Cox said the Guard will use
the money for maintenance of the
Army. At present, he said, the
Guard has funds for these purposes.
When not needed for military train
ing, the public may use the Armory,
Gen. Cox said. He said he wants
to show Congress the Armory can
be used for other than military
affairs to care for maintenance costs.
Col. Peyton G. NeWtt, adjutant
general Of the Guard, explained the
Guard moved into the Armory in
June, with the PBA furnishing GUS
todial service, reimbursed by the
District Government.
Tn addition to the Arlnory. Col.