The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1904-03-02
Uncle Sam Provides Literally for
the Boys In Blue at Fort
Stevens.
PLACE FOR RECREATION
Proposed Post Exchange Win
Reduce Visits to Ncighbor.
ing Towns, Making Home
Mere Inviting.

Uncle Sam is good to his soldier
boys, and with customary liherality is
now preparing to build for those sta
toned at Fort Stevens first class SOL
diers' home. Captain Goodale. con-
structing Quartermaster U, s. A.. has
just advertised for proposals for this
new home for the men at the fort, and.
while II is officially known as the post
exchange building. 1t win be in reality
a soldiers club. The building viii cost
between $4,000 and $1,000. and II satIs-
factory bids are received work on the
structure viii shortly be commenced
The building viii be located just to the
northwest OF the railroad depot. and
viii be built according to plans from the
Office OF the Quartermaster- general at
Washington. The building Is to be OF
one story and a basement and win be
of 81 feet 10 inches front and 20 feet 10
inches depth
The post exchange building viii be
substantial addition to the post. II Is
to be fitted up for the especial benefit
of the men of the two companies sta
toned there, and win be place of rec
reation for them which will doubtless
have the effect OF curtailing their Wis
its TO Astoria and west side towns. and
result in a greater number OF re-enlist-
ments at the Columbia post Recently
congress made an appropriation Of
100000 for the purpose OF building
post exchange buildings. and the new
structure at Stevens will be paid for
out Of this fund Bids will be opened
March 2s The post exchange will be
conducted by the two companies, into
the fund Of which the profits OF the es-
will go. These funds are
handled by what Is known as the post
council. The post exchange
officer is to be appointed by the COM
officer and there viii be
steward under him. Such fixtures as
billiard and pool tables will be paid for
out Of the company fund, but the gov
,rnment makes an annual allowance OF /
s25 per company for magazines and
1t Is always the aim to Sc
,dre for the exchange library local
from all parts Of the coun-
ry that all of the men may be kept
informed as to the progress
If events in those parts Of the United
States from which they come. The s25
allowance is made for the first COM
Dany, and an additional allowance OF
lis yearly for each additional company
located at a post. Under this arrange
nent the Stevens exchange will be en-
titled to $40 annually
Captain Goodale yesterday explained
o a press representative the plans OF
he proposed new building. The base
nent will be entered from cement
platform 10 feet in length and 3 feet
inches in width. This entrance will lead
nto a hallway 10 feet 10 inches wide,
rom which stairs win lead up to the
irst floor. On the, left of the hall in
he basement is to be located the bill
lard room, which is to be 90 feet 10
inches by Is feet inches. On The right
will be the lunch room, with The lunch
counter. This lunch room will prove OF
particular convenience TO sightseers at
he post, who may leave Astoria too
.arly for dinner and be unable to re-
urn to the city before the afternoon.
1t the rear of the lunch room v III be
commodious kitchen, about 16x1O.
With cement floor. cooking range, sink,
helving and serving window connected
With the lunch counter. At the rear Of
he kitchen will be an area % feet 10
inches by Z feet inches for storage
nd other purposes. Adjoining the
,itchen will be the pantry, with cement
oor, shelving and pantry closets. A
oilet room will be provided at the rear
( the hall, while the boiler room and
oal bins are to be located just back of j
he billiard room. Back Of the boiler
Dom will be an area about 15xS.
The first story will be reached from {
he grounds by a cement porch 19x9
aet IL inches, leading to a platform
0 feet 10 inches by feet inches i
,hich gives entrance into the hall, on
he right Of which is to be the lecture !
nd reading room. This room, which
I'll probably press the billiard hall for
rst place in the matter of popularity,
to be 2S feet in length and feet .
lehes in width. At one end will be
ortable platform, to be used for enter
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