The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1918-08-09

Of these will have these buildings when the plan
is completed. The approximate size of the larger
cantonment theaters is 179 by 120 feet with a
seating capacity of from 1900 to 5000. The
stages in those theaters 60 by 80 feet and the
floor of the house 132 by 12O feet The National
Guard camps theaters have a seating capacity
of 1000; the building is 60 by 100 feet and the
stage % by 40 feet. The house floors are APP
proximately 80 by 60 feet.
Each theater has five entrances and fifteen ex-
it's, and is so constructed as to be easily emptied
in case of fire. Much of the work of constructing
these theaters has been carried on by the many
electricians, scene painters and other expert
mechancians who discovered in the camps
Chautauqua tents are used for SHOWS" in the
smaller camps, where regular dramatic produc-
tons, vaudeville and movies are provided by the
government for the men.
The Hostess House is large brown bunga-
low-like building set near the entrance to the
camp, and stands out distinctly against the back
ground of implanted army buildings.
OF the $5,0O0,OO0 Y. w. G. A. war fund.- 81, $780,
900 was appropriated as an initial fund In start
ing the Hostess House work. Seventy of these
buildings are already in operation. Some Of the
larger environments have two, or even three where
the number of negro troops makes one seem adj
visable for colored women. Women architects
have had the entire charge of the plans for the
Hostess Houses While these houses vary some
what in size and detail, according to the demands
Of the situation, in general structure and style
they are similar. The utmost degree of attrac-
tiveness in keeping with camp life has been at
tanned both inside and outside of these buildings.
Each one has large chimney in the middle Of the
living room, rest room for women, out of which
opens fully-equipped nursery; and the back of
the building houses cafeteria, where attractive
meals are served. The buildings are electric light
ed and steam heated, are also the sun parlors
which usually extend across two sides of the
house. The second floor Of the larger buildings
contains not only the bedrooms of the resident
hostesses and staffs but emergency sleeping quar-
tiers for women stranded in camp.
The Y M. c. A. has been on the ground from
the first. Before the camps were entirely COM
pleted they had their headquarters established in
tents and were present with welcome to the in
coming recruits. They dispensed information and
good cheer. In fact one Of their representatives
accompanied each of the incoming troop trains,
going from car to car, addressing the men infor-
mally, telling them what the Y. M. G. A. stood for
in camp and preparing them for the sort of thing
that would greet them at camp The Y. M. @. A.
operates 17S army and navy stations at present.
At the largest of these there are IA buildings
with a large force of secretaries and other off,
Gals.
The standard service or so-called type So"
Y NJ @. building is an interesting architectural
achievement. 1t is the last word in utility COM
pactness, economy of space, material and money
efficiency and adaptabilfty to multitude of dis
similar uses. The problem to find buildings
that would be "all things to all men" in the can
comments. The demand was for some sort of
structure that would simultaneously be home,
club, church, schoolhouse and entertainment CEN
ter for the men in the ranks, place where the
whole varied army Y. M. G. A. program could be
going on at one time without any phase seriously
interfering with other phases of the work; where
there would be facilities for the movies the lee
lures, or the religious talks, and where at the
same time the man who wanted to write home,
buy stamp or money order, wrap up pack
age, borrow book or a magazine, play game