The sun., 1918-10-17
WOUNDED FIGHTERS
IN THEIR OWN CLUB
Chateau Thiery Going Full
Blast Here With Billiards
Is ... and Tea.
CONvALEsCENTs ENJOY 1T
Mrs. w. X. Vanderbilt, Jr.,
Gave the House and Mrs. s.
X. de Forest Is Hostess.

Laughter ana singing anu the sount
Of a piano played enthusiastically IL no
| with great skill came yesterday from
| the open windows Of the pleasant hous,
| at FL Beekman place, at Fiftieth stree
! and the East River. Everywhere wer,
soldiers and sailors. most Of them walk,
ing with limp. or with their arms ban
Gagged. or with specialized eyes, showing
that they had been gassed.
Chateau Thierry tho club for wound
ed sailors and soldiers, was open ant
going full blast. Billiards. Afternoon
tea with absolutely unlimited sand
wiches and cake and cookies and dough
ruts, great comfortable sofas and
chairs, writing tables, books and news
ph pers--nothing was lacking for the de.
light OF tho uniformed guests not even
ambulances 10 carry them from the nos.
pitfalls. where they are being treated for
jolly hour at their club
Mrs, Shepherd X. do Forest, whose
official title Ia secretary of the execu-
tive committee but who is really the
big sister OF all the lads who come,
was there smiling. talking, seeing that
everything went smooth and right.
.@ A~V~A SAuuhouBcs
Twenty-one Beekman place is a
charming house, which Mrs William X.
Vanderbilt. Jr, handed over to the New
York county chapter OF the American
lied Cross for the use of soldiers and
sailors who are convalescing at our var
ious hospitals and have a few hours
leave each day. Few people know OF
this short street, whose houses hang
over the edge OF the blur. SO that one
can almost fish from the windows in TIE
waters OF the East River. Number q
Is on the corner, with rooms opening
10 the south. the east and the west.
WOODED with sunshine all day long. II
has back yard OF its own, and from
its windows an endless panorama is
visible OF the varied life of the river
canal boats tied up below, craft Of all
KINDS steaming up and down.
The house has three stories and base
ment' On the top floor is a louneing
room extending the length of the build
ing. with tables and lamps and sofas
cushioned in pretty cretonne: This IL
Tor the men who want to be quiet, though
as there is player piano and gramo-
phone up there the chance for noise IL
considerable. The writing room and
game room are on the second floor, and
on the street floor is another lounge with
a piano: and here tea Ia served without
charge. There Is no charge for any.
thing.
The billiard room Is below stairs
Above Is a smoking room
The club is based on the experience
OF Kitchener House in London" Shep-
herd X. de Forest said Mr.. and Mrs. de
Forest are giving their winter to the
management Of the club. "a great deal
has been done for soldiers who are we'll,
but little as yet for the wounded ones
There are many Of these in our hospitals
and will be more as the great base hos
pitfalls are opened. Many OF them are
able to so out each day. though still
under military rule. and time hangs
heavy on their hands during their hours
Of leave.
No FLUSHING Over Membership.
This club is meant to give them n
good time in those hours Men without
relatives in New York. men who wish
to rest in comfortable chair. men who
long for a little relaxation from neces-
sary hospital routine will find the warm
est welcome here. We have one am
bulance to convey them to and from
their hospitals, and expect to have sew
eral others. In the meantime Flower
Hospital sent an ambulance to-day with
a load of wounded men from there, and
probably other hospitals will do the
same.