Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-08-08
BACHELOR OFFICERS
PROVISIONS FOR THEIR COMFORT
MADE BY UNCLE SAM.
They Fare Quite as Well as the Bene-
dicts-Improvemen at Forts
Near Washington.

That Uncle Sam proposes to take good
care of such officers OF his army. are
not fortunate enough to be married is
shown by the fine buildings being erected
at army ports all over the country for quar-
tiers for the bachelor officers. Not that he
does not also take good care of the married
officers, too. At every army post are erect
ed numbers of handsome and conveniently
arranged dwellings for the use of officers
families. but it is the bachelor officers who
will fare best. perhaps. at the army posts
in this vicinity.
Within the past six .or, eight years Fort
Hunt, near Washington. on the Virginia
side of the Potomae,s has been evolved from
a cornfield and scrub pine forest, and hand
some and comfortable buildings for the use
of the bachelor officers have been erected
there. At old Fort Washington many
changes have been made, and while the Off
GERS quarters built over a century ago
within the Enclosure of the old stone fort
are still standing, rooms are provided in
new and modern buildings erected within
the last three four years. Here the
bachelor officers have comfortable quarters
which would have all the comforts of home
were the occupants of them not bachelors.
Uncle Sam now proposes to give the UNI
married officers attached to the cavalry
stationed at Fort Myer comfortab bic abiding
places, and the construction of the building
is going on. The work is being done by
contract. under the supervision of the con-
structing quartermasterS force of the
army. and when the building is completed.
at no army post in the country will the
bachelor officers be more comfortably
housed.
The new building stands on a slight emil
hence on the western side of the Fort Myer
grounds, and from it's windows beautiful
views of the surrounding country can be
had. In the distance the Potomac can be
1rcrb. vi.f1 dino
ward the sea. The domes, spires and
| monuments of the capital city are also
braced in the panorama spread out before
the officers seated on the broad verandas
that will skirt the front of the new build
ing
The building will be two stories In height,
with mansard roof, constructed OF brick and
stone. It's exterior will be quite ornament
al and a wide porch, two stories high, with
big white columns will run across the en-
tire front of the building.
Dimensions of Main Building.
The main building Will be 40 feet inches
long across the front and will have width
OF 81 feet 4 inches. From the center a
back building will run, giving a total depth
from front to rear of rs feet inches.
The building will have three entrances, or
IN fact. will be three separate buildings
under one roof and each set of quarters
Will be as private as if each were a de-
tached building
Entering the structure from the front
porch through the main central door
way, a large assembly room IS feet
inches by 80 feet s inches will be found
on the left hand. The room is to be used
for social gatherings 1t IS understood and
VIII be the center of gaieties at the post.
On the right side of the big central hall Is
a general paror and back of the parlor A
sitting room each IS feet inches wide
and IA feet 1 inch long The second story
is approached by wide stairway leading
up from this central hall.
On the right and left of this main en-
trance are two other entrances leading into
wide halls. three tfoorways dividing the
front of the building in four equal parts
From these side halls doors lead into the
quarters the bachelor officers will have for
living rooms.
Each set or quarters will consist of par
lof bed room and bath room. The parlors
are 1612 feet by II feet II inches in size
and the bedrooms Il feet . inches one way
by IA feet II inches the other The baths
are modern in plumbing and are up-to-date
in al! particulars. On the first floor will he
quarters for four officers.
In the back building on the first floor a
large and roomy dining room will be local
ed. and back of the dining room will be
the Kitchen, pantry and other culinary de-
partments.
The entire second floor is given I'D to
quarters for the officers. six sets of the d.
menSlons of the rooms the first floor
being located this floor The quarters
1 each side the center hall on the second
floor are slightly larger than those in the
other parts of the building.
The Sleeping Apartments.
Above the dining room and kitchen in the
back building are seven bedrooms, each II
feet inches long by feet inches wide.
fo' the use of the bachelor officers serv-
ants, and a bath room for the use of the
servants will also be found on this floor
The new building will provide quarters
Tor ten officers and besides will have a hig
assembly room general parlor and sitting
room for the use of all the officers
AS stated, the work on the new building
Will be pushed ahead as rapidly as possi
bic, but 1t Is understood 1t will be several
months before 1t Is ready for OCCUPANCY
Only the best of material Is being used in
its construction and when 1t Is compIeted
1t will be as fine building as can be found
at any army post In the country and the
officers will find themselves well provided
for. The building is to have electric light
irg throughout, and will be steam heated.
rooms and halls being kept at an even
temperature all winter. Hot and cold wa
ter will be found in the bath rooms. and
every convenience conducive to the COM
fort of those who fortunate enough
to secure quarters in the new building will
be found In 1t.
The decorative scheme calls for the use
of harmoniZing colors in all decorations
The building will cost the War Department
$33,6l9 for construction. 1886 for plumbing
1920 for heating apparatus, 1854 for cleo
trio wiring and $495 for gas piping In all
$40, 7o4.
1t is stated that plans are being prepared
for further improvements at Fort Myer,
but just now they are in embryo and can
not be given out.