Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-07-30
SOLDIERS EXCHANGE
Proposed New Building at
Fort Washington
WITH GYMN ASIUM
WILL BE WELL FITTED WITH
MODERN APPARATUS.
In Keeping With Plan Being Carried
Out at Many Other Army
Posts.

Posts.
Ground is now being prepared at Fort
| Washington, the heavy artillery station on
| the Potomac, about twelve miles below this
city, for the erection of a new Gymnasium
| and post exchange building" the contract
| for which was awarded 10 a local firm
| about three weeks ago.
| For several years past the men at the
| army posts throughout the country have
been encouraged to go in for athletic sports.
| the officers believing that the sports bene-
| fitted the men both physically and morally
! and added much to the esprit de corps of
| the commands. In order to encourage ath-
| letcs among the men fine modern gym
nastums being built at all the larger
| army posts. and now Fort Washington is
| to have one
The material for the construction of the
| new building is being delivered at the fort
and 1t is understood the construction work
| VIII be started at once in order to have the
| building ready for occupancy In the early
| spring. The bricks, stone. slate and all the
| other material will be delivered at the Fort
| Washington pier by vessel. and much of
| 1t will be shipped from this city.
A Two-Story Building.
The new building is to be a two-story
roof. 1t will occupy a commanding posi-
ton on the eastern side of the fort reser-
| walton. not far from the new general hos
! pital at the post. When completed it will
be handsome building, in keeping with
the numerous fine buildings that have been
| erected at Fort Washington during the past
| six years, and which make the fort one of
the most up-tO-date army posts In the east,
if not in the country.
| The specifications call for the of stone
| on the foundation of the building and for
| several feet above the ground, while the
| walls of the building will be of brick, con-
| siderable ornamental brick being used in
the front of the building.
The structure will be in the shape of the
| letter IT. the cross part being the front.
1t will be "a feet 10 inches across the front.
and each wing will be "a feet 10 inches deep.
The building will be 35 feet inches
| wide by 70 feet inches deep.
| On entering the first floor through wide
| central hall, billiard room twenty feet
| three inches each way will be found on the
left hand. This is to be fitted up with bill
| lard and pool tables and tables for domi-
! noes and checkers. On the right hand side
of the big entrance hall on this floor a lunch
room will be located. This will be about
| the size of the billiard room and here the
| soldiers will be able to obtain delicacies
that are not served in the port mess rooms.
| In the rear of the billiard and lunch room
| will be the kitchen, pantry and store rooms,
| and large toilet room.
| Inc gymnasium.
In the extreme rear of the first floor in
| the back building, will be located the big
| gymnasium. This will be 76 feet inches
| long, by 80 feet inches wide and will be
| about % feet high.
| In the second story of the building will
| be the post exchange"-that is. the Off
| cial store of the post. where the men obtain
| their tobacco, cigars. and in fact, every
| thing that they could wish to buy. These
| goods are sold at figure but slightly over
| cost, and the profit arising from the bust
| ness is used for the benefit of the men.
| The exchange will be located at the left
| side of the center hall and will be fitted
/ up like a store, with counter, cases and
| the like: In the rear of the exchange will
| be small office for the use of the ex-
| change sergeants.
| On the right side of the hall there will
| be a lecture room, 20 feet inches by 321s
! feet in size. At end of this room will
be a raised platform for use during enter
| tainments that may be gotten up by the
| men. The room will be used as a reading
| room ordinarily and will be be comfortably
fitted up with tables and chairs. At the
end of the hall on the second floor entrance
can be had into large gallery looking
down upon the floor of the gymnasium.
This is for the use of spectators who may
| wish to watch the soldiers engage in their
athletic work.
| room are also to be located on this floor
| AS stated. the gymnasium Is to be a
! large room, with wooden floor About
| 1t will be arranged all manner. of gymnastic
| apparatus calculated to benefit the physical
| man and increase muscle and strength.
| Apparatus of the Best.
| Around the walls of the room will be
| placed various kinds of weight machines,
| the use of which develops the muscles in
| specific parts of the body. There will also
| be horizontal and parallel bars climbing
| ropes. jumping horses. stand, vaultng
| bar. flying rings Indian clubs, dumb bells,
| rowing machines and all that go to make
| up well-appointed gymnasium. Another
! feature will be arrangements for the play
| ing of basket ball and other indoor games
| of like nature.
| When the building is completed the men
| stationed at Fort Washington will have it
| is said as fine gym" is to be found
| anywhere in the country, and they will be
| encouraged to use it.
| The ceilings in the building will be of
| ornamental steel work, and will add much
to the artistic finish. The building is to be
| steam heated, archaeological and the latest
| and most modern sanitary plumbing will be
| used. The contract price for the building
exclusive of the gymnasium apparatus or
| the furnishing of the rooms is $23,S44.
| Post exchange and gymnasium buildings
similar to the now being erected at
| Fort Washington are to be built or are
| building at Fort l.. H Roots, in Arkansas;
| Fort Ontario, New York; Fort Howard,
| Maryland; Fort Rosecrans, California:
| Missoula Montana; Fort Worden, Wash