The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1908-07-09
RULERS AID SEAMEN.
Tack-Ashore. The Sailors First Chance
At Decent Life In Port,

Nations And States Outfit Home For
Jack-Ashore. The Sailors First Chance
At Decent Life In Port.
NEW YORK, July 6. To decorate the
new institute Tor sailors which is just
being completed in this city, portraits
personally signed and sent by the ru-
lers of England, Germany, Italy and
Denmark have to-day been received by
the American Seamen's Friend Society.
Realizing that many thousands of their
subjects who follow the sea will soon
be harbored in the 1925, 900 building of
this American organization each year,
King Edward, Kaiser Wilhelm II, Vic
tor Emanuel III and Frederick VIII
have been quick to respond through
diplomatic channels to a request for
recognition of the international charac-
ern 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 represent
ed by some room, furnishing or decora-
ton in the big building.
Connecticut, Florida, Illinois, Mas
sachusetts, Maryland, Michigan, New
Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania
and Vermont have already claimed rep
resentation in the new sailors institute
by selecting some one of its two hum
dred rooms to furnish as memorial.
1t is believed that every State in the
Union will be as anxious to make its
seafaring sons feel at home here as ale
the outside nations. The Order of
Sons of st. George and the st. Andrews
Society and the StDavid's Society have
to-day secured memorial quarters, as
well as the Board of Pilot Commission
ers, the Pilots Association of New
jersey and the Masters Mates and Pi-
lots Association of New York.
Towering like fortress against the
army of crimps that swarms about its
doors, the big structure is today just
being finished on the waterfront in the
center of the Chelsea district, the great
est mile of shipping 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
content. He may patronlze a safe
bank, a 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 num-
beers may here spend his time in the
just as retired, decent and respectable
surroundings as any other Traveller.
"The chance to be as self-respecting
as any other class of men is all the
sailor wants." said G. Mcpherson
Hunter, secretary of the American
Seamen's Friend Society at its head
quarters, rs Wall Street, today. II
know the sailor and l am sure he will
rise to his first opportunity of living
like other men in port. 1t has taken
$3.50, 900 to build our institute and we
are still looking for $4,000 to finish it
properly. 1t will open a worldwide
benefit to the sailor man and every
State and nation should surely be rep
resented"