The Republican., 1947-09-18
TEMPORARY site
FOR GUARD UNIT
SELECTED
Episcopal Vestrymen Offer Par
ish Householder Progress Re-
ported at Meeting Tuesday

ported DIT meeting tuesday
Procurement of suitable temporary
quarters for the proposed national
guard unit here, and definite progress
toward actual organization were two
of the things disclosed at a public
meeting held Tuesday evening in the
Court House, called to learn more of
the details about formation of a local
military branch in the nationwide
drive.
1t was announced by Lieut.. Col. C.
L. Claypoole that the official vestry
of the Episcopal church here had
given its consent at the luncheon
meeting on Monday for the use of the
Parish House as temporary quarters
for the proposed unit, free of charge,
which was one of the requirements in
the establishment of a guard in Oak
land
Decision to form a combat engi-
neer company, as was recommended
| by National Guard headquarters,
was also made at the meeting by a
unanimous vote of those present.
There was a choice of either a COM
bat engineer company or an artillery
battery. With the acceptance of the
| former the Oakland unit will be part
of an engineer battalion which also
includes companies at Leonardtown,
LaPlata, Prince Frederick and Oak
land.
| Only one thing now needs to be ac-
complished before actual recruiting
of men would begin, according to
Col. Claypoole, and that is the selec-
ton of an officer for company COM
mander. The local committee had
several names of persons who had
served as officers in World War II,
and one from among those available
will be recommended in the near
future it was stated.
Upon commissioning of the COM
pany commander Col. Claypoole said
he would return to Oakland to assist
in recruiting men for the company.
Two officers and II men are needed
to get the unit under way, after
which the state guard will ask for
federal recognition; then it will be
necessary to add II men every 90
days until the pcacetime strength of
134 men is reached, it was explained
In pointing out the policy of the
national guard, Col. Claypoole said
Tuesday night that at the outset this
country stood for a small standing
army plus a number of reserve units,
otherwise it was feared this country
would turn to an aggressor nation.
Prior to the last war the Maryland
Guard numbered $500, but in the
drive to get 622, 800 National guards
men throughout the United States
Maryland has been assigned total of
$500.
The age limit is II to 35 unless the
person interested has had previous
military service Then the age limit
is extended. He said joining the
guard would require physical eXami-
nation, two hours Of drill each week
for which there would be regular pay,
and a camp period during the sum-
mer. He also pointed out that per-
sons II to 20 joining the national
guard would not be called for uni
versal training if the latter was en-
acted into law.
1t was also pointed out that the
formation of unit, in addition to
bringing an armory here, would
Imean from $4,000 to $4,000 addi-
tional revenue to the people of Oak
land. The National Guard plans to
spend $4,000 to $4,000 to put the
Parish House in proper condition for
a temporary armory, and if at the
end of a year it is demonstrated that
the organization is growing and is
successful, it will be recommended
that the armory be built This will be
a structure costing in the neighbor-
hood of $4,000, and the money is
already provided, it was stated. The
permanent site 200 by 300 feet, has
already been offered by the American
Legion post here, adjoining the Le-
gion Home on Fourth street.
Tuesdays meeting was in charge
Stuart F. Hamill, Jr, chairman of the
| local committee. Officers here for the
discussion on Monday besides General
Reckord, included Maj. Gen Washing
ton Bowie and Brig. Gen. Harry C.
Ruhl, but they continued to Cincin-
natl for another meeting while Col.
Claypoole remained here for the pub
! lie meeting.
| Members Of the committee ex-
pressed the opinion at the conclusion
of the meeting that the actual organ
izaton would get under way before
long and that there would be no diff
ficulty in getting the necessary num-
! Der of men when the time came.