The Washington times., 1902-05-27
-are for Comfort and
Welfare of Enlisted Sol
dlerS and Sailors.
LAWN FETE AT BARRACKS
From II to 3 O'clock Today-Proceeds
Will Be Devoted to Lifting Debt on
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Are on a
Very Large Scale.

Seventeen years ago patriotic women
Of America conceived the idea of caring
for the comfort and convenience of en-
listed men in the Army, Navy. and Ma
ciety, under the name OF the Woman S
Army and Navy League, had its birth
here in the historic capital of America.
and now registers membership OF 700.
peculiar significance relative to the
organization is that 1t is composed al
most exclusively of the women whose
husbands. brothers. and fathers were. or
are, officers in some branch Of the ser
vice, and who have known all the COM
fort and ease that is possible in that
nomadic life.
Deserve High Praise.
That they have seen fit TO appreciate
and strive to better the lot of those men
whom circumstance has not placed
within the pale of the military 400 is not
only worthy of high praise. but deserves
to rank with the many other notable
achievements accredited TO the generous
hearted women of America.
Another point in favor of the leagues
methods is the quiet, unostentatious
manner in which the separate members
work. There is no blare of trumpets
to attract public attention. except when.
as in the present case, aid is needed to
further some laudable enterprise in be-
half Of the good cause.
The object Of the society is to promote
Christian knowledge. and to encourage
the holding of religious services at army
posts and navy yards; to furnish organs
to warships. hospitals. army transports,
and post chapels; also TO aid clubs for
soldiers, sailors, and marines, and to
forward suitable books, games, and IL
Illustrated papers for the amusement OF
the men. The society is strictly nom
sectarian, and to be enrolled in its mem
bership it is not necessary to have any
connection with any branch OF the ser
vice.
II means simply the furtherance of the
enlisted mans happiness, in so far as
it lies in the power of such an organi-
cation. and in order to accomplish this |
the support OF od-hearted. sy,npa
thetic, patriotic women is solicited.
Many washingtonians.
There are over three hundred mem
bers of the womans Army and Navy
League resident in Washington, through
whose efforts the Soldiers, Sailors. and
Club has been established.
The club was founded in 1898 and now
occupies the premises at 81 C Street
noi kv-es..
In nearly every city of prominence
there is a commodious club for officers
Of the Army, Navy and Marine Corps,
which, like any other mems club. is
supported by the members themselves.
They have all the accommodations
necessary to the enjoyment Of life. They
have their library. their poolroom. and
perhaps their ping-pong table. not to
add the services OF corps OF attend
ants whose only duty is TO supply the
wants and demands of each visitor.
When an officer. therefore. lie on leave
be drops into his club. enjoys all its
and is not compelled TO
contend with the publicity Of a hotel.
To Have Club.
Realizing the almost incalculable
comfort of the officers club, the women
II the Army and Navy League of Wash
ngton determined to give the enlisted c
men similar institution. though prob a
lbly. owing TO the means by which 1t
Tould be established, its privileges would :
70 extensive
The club was established in 1898 and v
q 1901 II was moved from the temporary
uarters which 1t then occupied to its !,
ornament home on c Street. visit
o the clubhouse will excite the most
rdent admiration fer thase who have =
een the direct movers i'' giving to the !,
len the privileges WI. they have so =
ong regarded as belorg'?s exclusively
o their superior officers :,
The house is one of those old fashion :
d structures with halls branching OF :
{ unexpected intervals and with queer =
title groups Of steps in the doorways
hat lead up 10 a little platform and
own on the other side with no appar-
Mt purpose other than TO act as a re-
hinder of the days when English base
tents were not in vogue and the recep- u
on hall thing unheard OF.
Throughout the house a feminine
uch is evident. in the parlor there
a piano which is at the unrestricted m
10 OF visitors every week day. A pic IL
re OF Admiral Dewey looks down from -
e wall, and along the mantlepiece pho :,
graphs OF some Of the visitors who u
I'VE enjoyed the hospitality OF the club to
eet one sm!lincly. q,
Neat Dining Room. III
the parlor is room in ~
hich the Sunday services are held. and "
yond that is the dining room. a neat,
sll-appoinied little apartment. The N
seping rooms upstairs are marvels Of tt
iat good will and little money can sc
Each has been newly papered and ~
ted up. Five of them have been -,
med after those at whose expense they M,
We been furnished or in memorium.
e Mason room. named for Lieutenant
mmandor Theodore Bailey Myers Ma
n, is q large, airy apartment. with
rec snowy white beds and dainty and M
ractiye accessories. thi
rhe Mckinley room is done in mink n ,
IN large green rug over the floor n n
white furniture. large and OK ma
,dingly iife-likc picture Of the late no
psiaent hangs on the wall The Chaplin or,