Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1883-07-21


AND RIFLE RANGE IN THE BAsEHESr-HAND-
soNE DANCING AND MUSIC HALL-SoNKTHING OF
TIE HISTORY OF THE COMPANY.
When the National Rifles return from their trip
% Cape May on Tues lay night, instead of march
ing to their old arfnOry on street, near 9Th. they
Will continue two blocks further and on the south
side OF g street, near 9Th, they viii find stately
new building flying their coiors. cheer
full light OF welcome pouring through
the ample entrances, and with proud
hearts they VIII enter IN and take
formal possession or their new armory. The
pleasure OF coming home viii thus be emphasized.
and this VIII be the eliminating event OF the en-
joynent of their holiday trip the delights of
Cape May with its round of festivities the tender
longingS and sweet regrets for certain fair ones
left behind, VIII be oyershadOwea and forgotten
in the exultant pride over the glory and beauty of
their neI home.
1t Is beautiful building. Any one Win .eIl you
That Even the Casual passer by ordinarily OBJ
enthusiasm OF member OF the corps, or the in
teTest OF friend OF the company, TO convince
squsre. sturdy tops; the turretted
towers pointing to the sky imparts something of
the rrowning. stern appearance OF military for
teSS, and this press on is enhanced by the lines
OF black mortar accentuating the martial gloom.
In the center, between the main entrances. Is
large plate, ON which Will be inscribed the words,
"NATr0SAL RIFLES ARMoaY."
The keystone OF the arches over the entrances
bears the carved monogram OF the company Two
wide GoorwayS, beneath the east and west projec-
tions give entrance on the ground floor into large
halls Ineach hall there are broad starcaSes lead
Ing upstairs. Between the entrance Railways are
three commOdiCus rooms occupying the front of the
building. with large windows looking into the
street. The center room4S the library and read
Ing room, which Will have an open crate fire and
will be handsomely furnished The rooms On each
SIDE are Tor the IS or the commissioned and nom
commissioned officers These roonis VIII be
there will be bells connecting them. By this
means the comfnis Toned officers inform the
non-c0mmiSsloned officers 10 prepare the men TO
fall In for drill The room OF the nen-eomins-
stoned officers will communicate with the privateS
room In the OF the building in the same way.
FINE DRILL ROOM.
The drill room occupies the entire center OF the
ground floor, and is 81 by 50 feet in the clear.
There are large windows on each side giving
plenty of light and air. The flooring of North
Carolina pine Is laid osts which are Embedded in
solid concrete anGrding firm and unyielding sur
face. admirably adapted for drilling purposes. In
the rear Is spacious locker room for the use OF
the privateS, with bath and wash rooms connect
ing. There will be 100 lockers with sufficient room
for every portion OF the uniform. The men will
not be allowed to take their uniforms home and
Tor this reason the accommodations have been
made unusually ample. To the right Is a room
which Will be used by the 1snitOr as his bed room,
and there is also room for the quarterrnaster.
ON the other side OF the locker room IS stair case
basement
BASEMENT KITCHEN
This basement, under the locker room, extends
the entire width OF the building. It IS IL feet
deep, 25 feet wide and 81 feet long, and has con-
crete floor. In the main part OF the basement
there viii be Kitchen with splendid range, hot
and cold water, and all the modern improvements
one or Tie four furnaces which viii heat the
building IS placed at one end, the other three
being IA the front basement which Is Of the same
size dumb waiter Will connect with the upper
noor.
THE ARSENAL ROOM
The farther end OF the basement has been par
ttioned Off by brick walls, making good-siZed
room. and this will be called the arsenal room.
Here all the ammunition will be stored. novel
feature IS the rifle range. which Is terra Gotta
pipe 10 inches In diameter running to an iron tar
get which is placed In the front basement This
rife range IS 10 feet long, ana will afford unusual
advantages for rifle practices. Here In the future
the crack shots OF the company will receive the
training which Will enable them to add to the
aurel5 which the corps have already earned in
this direction.
THE GRAND HALL
IL must not be supposed that the Rifles In erect
sng this fine building and in providing such ele-
giant quarters for themselves have forgotten their
friends, and especially their lady friends. The
TACT is that the part OF the building upon which
they have bestowed the greatest care and which,
after all Is said and done, is really the apple of
their eyes. 80 TO speak. is the reception room or
hall up stairs Here they expect to en-
terrain their many friends with a hospi-
tality which viii not be hampered by
Is D. Oy S5 feet, with lofty ceiling OF oval shape
rendering the acoustic properties admirable It
Is lighted from the top and special provision has
Deen made for full and free ventilation from all
the sides and from the top. At the south end a
graceful arch forms an alcove. where when needed
right furnishes dressing facilities for the actors.
Around the upper part Of the wall runs polished
.Tan weh and g every
constructed with the especial view OF using 1t for
dancing purposes When used for entertainments
OF 1.o4a Three wide doorways gives entrance TO
The hall from a hallway into which the stair
cases on each Side lead.
DRESSING ROOMS
for ladies and gentlemen, handsomely lifted up.
with all the necessary appointments, are on each
Side As there are wide windows In each OF these
rooms. opening directly into the air, the discou-
forts arising from heat and bad yentila
ton will be avoided. The dressing rooms are sep.
arafed by passage way. where the gentlemen
stair case leads UP into balcony witch will be
used is music stand. This balcony is unusually
means of fs spaces doors. on e each es side 5
into rooms. They have open nreplaces and are Io
De elegantly furni ,hed. These rooms can be used
10y spectators or those desiring to retreat from the
fatigue Of the ballroom. As a place for q nuIet
teie-a-tste, the upper stair on q staircase in a
private house paless INTO inslgnifcance
The balcony Tor the musicians VIII accommodate
lco The distance between the roof and the ceiling
Oh the hal Is ~ feet, and good ventilation is thus
secured.
The woodwork Of the interior Of the entire
Du!iding Is grained oak. and the light color adds
10 the ettractyeneSS- The arrangement OF the
building Is admirably suited for the purposes for
winch IL Is intended, and the solid character OF the
WORK Is manifest n all the details
The feature, which Is very highly commended
Is the ample provision for exits, that the hall
can Dc emptied N a very few minutes
OTHER FACTS ABOUT THE BUILDING
The architect OF the building was Mr. John B.
Brady. and The contractor Mr.. George b. Turton.
The plumbing and gas fitting was done by E. r.
Brooks * Co. ard the heating apparatu us was put
In by Hayward Hutchinson. The entire cost of
the building complete Will be $4,000 The build
Ing committee for the corps. consisting OF James
r oyster, chairman; j. U. Manson and J. H. Raj
sion nave had the entire supervision OF the work
ana their uniting energy IS highly appreciated
by their fellow members Mr.. n. q. Corria nd has
presented the corps handsome garrison nag for
the armory.
SKETCH OF TIE CORPS.
30 much has been said about the building that
aword about the company which has erected II
for Its home would not be out OF place. A few
days earlier they would have had the house warm
Ing and the celebration of their third birthday at
the same time For the National Rifles was or
mo