The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1914-01-12
MONTH NEEDED TO
COMPLETE ARMORY
Richmond Grays' Battalion Will
Occupy It's Handsome New
Home Early in February.
MAJOR PRICE is SATISFIED
Progress on Building Meets With
Approval Contractors Not
to Blame for Delay.

Owing to saveral unavoidable do
lays. for which the contractors were
not responsible. an extension of thirty
days will be granted to-day for the
completion of tho Richmond Grays
Battalion ArInory, at Seventh and Mar
shall Streets. The building should
have been turnct! over TO the city this
morning. but, rather than force the
progress on the structure. 1t was deem
ed advisable TO give the contractors
sufficient time to complete the details.
Major Lawrence I. Price. commander
of tho battalion. while disappointed a..
ttha delay. is gratifled with the progress
that has been made. The Building was
started less than year ago. and is
practically completed. All that re-
mains to DO dono Is to put in several
floors. install fixtures and finish the
painting
The armory, when completed, Will
DO tho largest and most up-to-d date
structure used for military purposes
south OF Baltimore. 1t will cost ap-
proximately s1s5.ooo. and will be used
exclusively ny tho GrRys and allied or
sanizations.
Accommodations Arc Ample.
Each of the four companies In the
rooms on the main floor. In addition
TO the Grays. Major Price has offered
the Field Hospital and Signal corps
rooms In the building. These organ
izations, both In process OF forrna ton.
Will have ample accommodations for
their purposes. and will be given the
free use OF tho entire building. includ :
ing drill floor, rine range and gymna-
sium
The drin floor will be on tho second
floor. IT will be the largest in the
State. and will be well lighted and
ventilated. A. balcony Will extend
around the entiro room for the use
Of visitors. and q band gallery has
been built IN the front end.
a -fo range and gymnasium occupy
the basement. Tho range is arly.
200 feet In length. and IS encased in
steel armor plate. The butts arc CON
structed after original designs made
ly Major Price
The gymnasium will have an outfit
Installed next week. which will cost
moro than $4,000. Connected with IL
will be the baths for the enlisted mon.
Steel lockers will be installed rs soon
as the city makes It's next annual APP
preparation. When the building is &C.
cupicd, the Grays will again take the
active part in athletics that II did sew
eral years ago.
New Life for Organizations.
II Is expected that the new armory
will put life into the organization.
which for several years has been
handicapped by lack OF proper fac!li-
ties y new full dress uniform has
been ordered for the command. and It
VIII be delivered before the formal
opening OF the structure
Major Price wen; before the Finance
committee of the City Council on Fri
day night and put In his claim for an
appropriation TO cover the cost of fur
nishing the company rooms. Installing
lockers for the companies and in the
gymnasium. and other needed details
This money Will be available before
me command occupies the new build
ing.
The hell recently removed from the
Diues Armory has been swung In tho
central tower. and as soon as clectri-
ca connections have been completed. IT
VIII be utilized for striking tho hours.
me cost OF moving the bell was $500.
1t weighs 1000 pounds. and Is the
most expensive bell in the city. as vel,
as tho largest.