The Evening statesman. [volume] (Walla Walla, Wash.) 1903-1910, 1903-07-14
TO BUILD ARMORY.
rams Are Under Way for Biu struct.
ure in Spokane,

rs, opohane:-Adjt. Gen. James A.
80 an mas peen IN Spokane for several
I"yS' coh1errlng with officers OF the
ohdlhoer OF Commerce, property own
CHS ana others with reference to the
9lectIon or new armOry here. to he
useu primarily for National Guard
purposes, but also in a large measure
dS convention hall and place for
PUBIC gatherings. Tentative sketches
u such an armory have been made
oy Albert Held, Spokane architect
ana he has estimated the cost of such
structure as it is hoped to build at
ABOUT $4,000. Several sites have
oeen offered and are being discussed
and there will be no difficulty in Sc
curing suitable ground. The site most
favorable considered is owned Jointly
by the HypOtheekbank and J. !
browne, and lies within a block of the
site OF the new federal building and
WlInlh a very short distance of all
important downtown points, depots
and car lines.
Inc plans outlined by Gen.
Drain call for a building approximate
~ lOoX20OO feet, to be built of brick
with a steel trusssed roof If a large
site can be secured the size of the
building may be slightly increased
but in any event it will not be less
than indicated. The narrow dimen
alons Will face towards the street
giving a frontage of 100 feet. At the
front end will be placed a commodious
entrance and vestibule and four
rooms, each 20 feet square, to be used
by the militia. This viii leave a
clear hall 1O0X1S0 feet in size
Around this hall wifi be built a gal
lery, suspended from the roof. and
probably about 10 feet in width for
the accommodation OF Spectators at
drills and for use on other occasions
When the seating capacity Of the room
IS taxed. For seating accommodations
the equipment of the building will
include portable chairs. which can
be placed in position quickly and re-
moved 10 the basement when not in
Hse. A suitable sectional stage or
platform will also be included. These
articles are included within the esti-
mated cost.
The main portion Of the building
will be of the height Of two ordinary
stories to give ample room for the
galleries and an upper tier of company
rooms, which will be placed over
those on the first floor at the front Of
the building. There VIII be a base
ment under the entire structure. Here
will be placed the steam heating
plant, store rooms for supplies and an
indoor target range of the length of
the building. The light will be cleo
tricity, and it is understood that the
local power company will make a
very substantial reduction in install
ling its work. owing to the character
Of the budding.
Upon thecOmple ton of the building
another company of militia will be
raised and stationed here. At pres
ent there are Accommodations for only
one, and they are not of the best char
acter
The city and county of Spokane will
be asked TO make substantial apprOpri-
lions in aid Of the $4,000 state funds
available. 1t is probable that spe-
Cial bond issue will be authorized. and
the adjutant general. local officers of
the militia and the members of the
armOry committee appOintd by the
Chamber of Commerce are making
every effort to get things to moving.
so that work may be commenced as
soon as possible and rushed through
0 completion. The committee Of the
chamber of commerce is taking hold