The Springdale news., 1908-08-21
WASHINGTON LETTER
EspeclaI Carrespoadenee.l ]

WASHING ON Lk l F. K
 Special Carrespondenee.l
 One Of the most attractive exhibits in the state, war and navy building consists of three groups Of lay figures representing actual uniforms and ideal life in the army These groups were prepared by direction of the quarter master general as object lessons and are favorably displayed on the third floor of the west wing.
 Pictures of Army Life.
 Group No. consists of two pri- yates, eayalryman and infantry man in dress uniform, seated at a table engaged in game of checkers. On the walls Of the case are several large photographs One shows bar rack dormitory. one soldiers recrea- tion room, one a soldiers dining room showing the tables spread for dinner and one the same dining room. show Ing the men seated at the tables.
 The pictures and the occupation of the men are intended to give visitors to the war department some idea of the life of the American soldier, show ing exactly how he lives and one of the many forms of innocent amuse- ment which are provided for him.
 Lay Figures h Uniform.
 Group No. 2 consists of two non commissioned officers and two pri- .vates two in olive drab service uni form and two in khaki uniform. They are represented as standing listening to a letter from home which is read by the first sergeant It Is designed to represent group of soldiers in for eign service, all from the same village in the States" who would naturally be greatly interested in any news from nome"
 Group No. 3 consists of first ser geant of field artillery, sergeant of cavalry and a corporal of infantry, all in full dress uniform.
 The actual work of getting up these groups was in charge of Majors John T. Knight and William F. Horton, quartermaster's department, |. s. A.
 Preparing the Exhibit.
 The first step was 10 send special agent to New York city to consult with the artist who makes q speciality of lay figures to decide upon the posi- lions for the head, hands and body of each figure Then rough sketches, showing the position, in black and white, were made and brought back to Washington and submitted for ap- proval
 The order for the manufacture of the figures in accordance with the sketches was then given. The work of manufacture took about three weeks When the department was in formed that the work had been com pleted the special agent was again sent 10 New York city to make the final in spectfon before acceptance and to su- perintend the packing for shipment to Washington.
 On the arrival of the lay figures in Washington the different uniforms were fitted on them That was q most difficult job. owing to the great diff ference between i've person and one made of papier mache. The tailor had to devise many schemes before be could do the work properly.
 Keen Eyed Gun Pointers.
 As il is important that no men he employed as gun pointers who are ma terially deficient in eSesight the sec retary of the navy has directed that hereafter no men shall be trained as tor hf. V,-i.I f IA right eye tor the left eye, if used in aiming at twenty feet the line on Snellen's test card, which is normally seen at fifteen feet-that is, 20-15 vi sion-and q minimum of 20-20 shall be required with the eye not used in aim ing. This degree of visual acuity in gun pointers is deemed necessary in order to eliminate those men having ocular defects which would tend to prevent continuous accurate aiming during a considerable period of time
 Statue of koseusko.
 The erection of a great pedestal for the heroic statue of koseiusko. the Polish patriot, will be commenced in a short time It will be located In the northeast corner of Lafayette park
 The committee representing the Pol ish National Alliance Of Chicago. which has charge of the erection of the monument, has contracted for the pedestal. It will be the largest of any portrait statue pedestals in Washing ton, being % feet l inch long. 20 feet inches wide and r. feet high. weigh ing 1l5 tons, the principal die stone weighing 15 tons. The material is to be the best Vermont granite.
 Description Of Monument
 The model of the monument repre- sents koseiusko as hero of both hemispheres, as he is usually called by the Poles. At the front of the ped estal Is hemisphere showing the map of America, with the American eagle guarding its liberty In the rear the