The Washington times. (Washington [D.C.]) 1901-1902, 1901-08-26
AN ATTRACTIVE CLUBHOUSE
A Home for Young Soldiers, Sail
Ors, and Marines.
The Good Work Being Done by the
Womnn's Army and navy League
The "Boysn in the Government
Service to BE Well Provided For.

The rich man, the professional man,
the fat man, the Dutchman, and the
Irishman has his club in this city, where
he can go after the days work is done
and spend an hour or so in the midst
of pleasant surroundings and with his
friends. In like manner, the soldier Of
Uncle Sam, the marine. and the sailor
has his well appointed clubhouse, where
he has all the Accommodations of a first
class club, and where he is welcome at
any time and may enjoy himself to his
hearts content.
The Woman's Army and Navy League
takes the lveliest interest in the well
fare of the organization, which is known
aas the Soldiers, Sailors, and Marines
Club, and tries to assist it in every
manner possible. The club is man
aged under the auspices of the League,
and what is more, the league has bought
the commodious, four-story brick build
ing at 3l7 Street northwest, and fitted
1t up as a first-class clubhouse and has
given it over to the boys of Uncle Sam.
The house is fitted up with library.
bathroom, reception room, playroom, din
ing room, bedrooms. kitchen, etc.
The club was organized November Il,
1898, and first met at IS l Street north
TO swell to such an extent that more COM
modious quarters had to be engaged 1t
was then that the Womans Army and
Navy League bought the present quar-
tiers OF the ciub and fixed them up in the
most approved manner The membership
roll shows the names of about 5Oo SOL
diers, sailors, and marines, some of
whom are still stationed in this city,
while others are away on duty in the
Philippines, in Cuba, in Porto Rico, and
on men-of-war, cruising the waters of
eli lands. The first year of its existence
the club .egister showed the names of
200 visitor, while the second year more
than doubled that number, and in the
month Of July the number of callers at
the clubhouse amounted to over 500.
Among the many rooms in the large
building there is one which was com
pletely furnished for a double bedroom
as memorial room to her brother, Lieu
tenant Commander Il. B. NJ. Mason, U.
g. N, by his sister Mrs. Julian James. 1t
Is further the intention to furnish a room
for the hospital corps. the decorations
and hangings Of which Will be in green
and white. Another idea which Will soon
be put into reality is the furnishing of
q room for soldiers sailors, and marines
who may be found on the streets late at
night. They will be taken care OF by
members of the club and the moral infiu-
ence brought to bear upon them Will
considerably help to bring them to a re-
aiization OF their duty as decent men and
citizens.
There is a large barn in the rear of the
building which 1t is the intention of the
league and the club to turn into a first
class gymnasium at an early date, fitted
up with the latest and most improved APP
paratus.
The spiritual wants of the members are
looked after by the holding of Sunday
evening services, which are conducted on
the first Sunday of the month by the
Lutheran Union; the second Sunday by
the Epworth League; the third Sunday by
the Christian Endeavor Society of Cal
vary Baptist Church; and the fourth
Sunday by members Of St. Andrews
Brotherhood. After services the inner
man also receives due consideration, and
the ladies Of the League serve tea, coffee,
and cakes and other dainties in the large
dining room. AS an evidence that those
members whose duties call them away
from the city do not so easily forget the
pleasant hours they spent in their club
home while in this city, is the fact that
every Sunday evening after the services,
the secretary Of the club reads n large
number OF letters which have been received
during the week from members far away.
In lands across the sea. These letters
are always listened 10 with rapt attention
by the members, who usually personally
know the writer of the message. Many
of these messages are in a humorous vein,
while others show a trace of homesick-
ness. and others again depict life In foreign
countries.