The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1908-06-30

NEW YORK. June 2o.-!ro deco
rate the new institute for sailors
which is just being completed in this
city portraits personally signed and
sent by the rulers Of England, Ger.
many. Italy and Denmark have 10.
day been received by the American
Seamen'y Friend Society Realizing
that many thousands OF their subjects
who follow the sea will soon be har-
bored in the $52s0O0 building Of this
, American organization each year,
King Edward, Kaiser Wilhelm II,
Victor Emanuel III and Frederik
VIII have been quick 70 respond
through diplomatic channels to a re-
quest for recognition OF the interna.
tional character Of this enterprise.
When the modern hotel and club
quarters is thrown open in August
to the seven thousand sailors who
arrive each day in this port. twelve
nations OF the world and many states
in this country will be represented
by some room, furnishing or dccora-
iion In the building
Ranged along beside the picture OF
Theodore Roosevelt, which the Presi-
dent personally presented to the So
ciety last month with hear,icst good
wishes, portraits Of royalty will be
hung where every sailor may read the
autographed inscription OF his own
sovereign. The bold handwriting of
Kaiser Wilhelm himself is affixed in
good English 70 his latest portrait,
while the King OF England has traced
Edward r and |" beneath his pict-
ure with his own hand. The same
rare attention has been paid by the
rulers Of Italy and Denmark. This
unusual courtesy is believed by the
diplomats here to be recognition
OF the service OF eighty years which
the society has performed for mil
lions OF British, German, Italian and
Danish seamen all over the world
Connecticut, Florida, Illinois, Mas.
sachusetts, Maryland, Michigan, New
Jersey, New York. Ohio, Pennsyi-
vania and Vermont have already
claimed representation in the new
sailors institute by selecting some
one Of its two hundred rooms to fur
nish as memorial. II is believed
that every state in the union will be
as anxious 10 make its seafaring sons
feel at home here as are the outside
nations The Order OF Sons OF St.
George and the St. Andrew Society
and the ST. Davids Society have to-
day secured memorial quarters, as
we'll as the Board OF Pilot Commits
sioners, the Pilots Association of
New Jersey and the Masters Mates
and Pilots Association of New York.
\ Towering like a fortress against
the army of crimps that swarms
about its doors, the big structure is
to-day just being finished on the
waterfront in the center OF the Chel-
sea district, the greatest mile OF ship
ping stretch in the world. Within
the next two months the interior of |
this ornate sky scraper will be open
to every officer, sailor, steward and
stoker who is looking for a snug
berth out OF reach OF the land sharks.
a swimming pool showers, billiards,
music, writing and reading rooms
are some Of the things which Jack
ashore may enjoy to his hearts con.
tent. He may patronize a safe bank,
modern restaurant, an honest "slop
shop" to replenish his kit or ship
through special free bureau For
the first time in the history Of the
world the merchant sailor man in
great numbers may here spend his
time in port in just as retired, decent
respectable surroundings as any
other traveller,
The chance to be as self-respcct-
ing as any other class of men is all
the sailor wants, said G. McPher-
son Hunter, secretary OF the Ameri-
can Seamen's Friend Society at its
headquarters, 76 Wall Street, to-day
Il know the sailor and am sure he
will rise to his first opportunity Of
living like other men in port, 1t has
taken $250,00 to build our institute
and we are still looking for $4,000
TO furnish it properly 1t will open
a worldwide benefit to the sailor
D1an and every state and nation
should surely be represented"
TIT G cATTRD NExy = Tnra