The Portland daily press., 1898-04-16

| President futile of b. and M, PRESIDENT
Wilson of Maine Central and Other
Prominent Railroad Men Were Present
| and Made Brief Addresses,
| The new quarters in the Railway
Branch of the Young Men Christian
Association were formally opened yester-
day, and the railway men are to be con-
graduated on the convenience and even
elegance of their surroundings. AS is
we'll known the building was formerly a
hotel, known as the Walker House, and
has also served as offices for the Boston &
Maine and Maine Central roads, 1t is
| spacious three.story building, and it has
| been rettted Throughout for the purposes
| TO which it is to be devoted. Mr.. Hoyt
is the superintendent of the Branch, and
Mr. i. @. Martin assistant. and has
charge OF the building. Entering from
Commercial street through a spacious
vesltbule, the visitor en- tiers a SPACIOUS
reading room, with vanished hard wood
loor' and handsome gas fixtures, fronting
on tne street. OF of this room is the
large lecture room that will comfort ably
seat 206 people, furnished with folding
chairs, and SO arranged that by throwing
open double doors, and opening large win
dows the whole lower floor can be thrown
into tho lecture room and at least 600 peo-
pie can be accommodated. One of the
rooms that can be thrown into the lecture
room is that on the left which will be
used generally as smoking and game
rooms. These rooms are decorated with
handsomely framed pictures of mountain
scenery and railroad paraphernalia.
On the left of the main entrance is a
good size room used at present for the
Secretary room, but which it is intend
ed to turn into q restaurant later, as
there is excellent accommodation for a
kitchen in the cellar underneath
In the second story are several large
rooms used as bedrooms, and they are
well patronized by members They are
furnished with nice iron bedsteads. with
brass molntings, comfortable beds and
bedding and straw mating At present
there are accommodations for eight lodg-
ers Later these rooms will be used for
other purposes, and the rooms in the
third story, used for chambers Then
there will be accom- modal ons for six.
teen. The west room on the second story
will be ultimately devoted to hospital
purposes in case anyone needs medical or
surgical attendance.
Off of the main floor are convenient
bath rooms, water closets and urinals,
with set bow Is for toilet purposes, anda
very large and handsome miro or, ,rThe
building is thoroughly heated by steam.
From 10 a. m. until 4 p. m. mum
Der of ladies and gentlemen, notwith-
standing the disagreeable weather, took
occasion to visit the premises, and were
much pleased with the building and gen
eral arrangement for the comfort OF the
members.
At O'Clock in the evening the pleasant
rooms of the new railroad branch. bril-
liantly Illuminated and handsomely deco
rated with potted plants and palms, were
well filled by about two hundred of the
employees of railroads centering in Port
land. On the stage were seated many dis
tinguished railroad officials, men who hold
the management Of the big trunk lines
in their hands and whose energy ann
business ability have placed these roads
in an enviable financial condition and
made them famous all over the country.
Some Of those on the platform and pres
ent at the dedicatory exercises were: Presi-
dent Lucius Tuttle of the Boston &
Maine; Vice President and General Man
ager McKinnon, Claim Agent Il. M
Grover. Assistant General Barr Of the
Boston & Maine; President F. A. Wilson
of the Maine Central General Passenger
Agent F. e. Boothby, General Manager
George +. Evans, Auditor George S.
Hobbs, all of the Maine Central; Presi-
dent Geo. p. Wescott of the Portland &
Rochester and several other railroad off
Gals and men prominent in the Y. M. G.
A.. work.
Auditor George S. Hobbs of the Maine
Central called the meeting to order and
Mr.. Samuel Hadlock offered PRAYER
President F.. A. Wilson of the Maine
Central was the first speaker and he
warmly congratulated the railroad mon in
having such pleasant home opened for
them lie expressed himself as being
heartily in favor of the work of the rail
road branch of the Y. NJ. C. A. and
hoped it would succeed here in Portland.
General Passenger Agent f. e. Rooth-
by then addressed the asselnblage briefly
and in very pleasant manner, telling
several very good stories and making a
very graceful speech.
Claim Agent f. NJ. Grover of the Bos-