Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1918-08-16
WASHINGTON INN,
U.S.0FF|CERS' HOME
London Hostel Delightful Place,
With Trees Growing
Through Roof.

Washington Inn. the hostel for officers
of the United States Army and Navy and
a limited number of others which has
been Quilt by the American Y M c. A. in
St James Square, London, is the last
word at present in hostels American
officers who are likely to pass through Lon
don on their way to their sphere of activi-
ty the inn docs not accept visitors who
are to he permanently in London
should realize that at Washington Inn
they will find what amounts to very
artistic home, with the conveniences of
the most up-to-date hotel Although
within n stones throw of one of the bust
est parts of London, it is so quiet and
peaceful under the shade OF its overhang
ing green trees that il might well be on
the very outskirts of the capital instead
of at its center.
I'VE were born, not for ourselves, but
to help others. Let us initiate the virtues OF
our predecessors TO be worthily their
successors These famous words by
Capt John Smith the founder Of Virginia,
who left England in 1907 are written in
beautiful gold lettering across the very
large irick open fireplace in the lounge
and constitute stimulating reminder to
the inns temporary residents of the spirit
III WHICH ltltN tbOk litl ijit'if Sifstt thrsk.
The first few words also sum up the
spirit Of the American Y NJ. G. A. in
founding the inn With its equipment il
has cost them about ft0,OO0 and is n
very strongly built construction Of brick.
wood and ironwork There is nothing
shoddv to bc found anywhere. either IN
the construction or the fittings. and the
architect. T Phillips Dale. who also built
the Eagle Hut in the Strand, the con-
tractor MIR Nacmanus and others are
To he congratulated on their work.
There is very large staff Of voluntary
lady workers under Lady Ward, Lady
Essex. and Lady Alistair Inncs-kcr and
Lady Evelyn Ward 50 that American
officers passing through London will be
cared for bv the wives. mothers. and
sisters Of their fellow officers in the
British Army. who have preceded them
eastward on the great adventure.
The general plan Of the inn IS Of
series Of buildings radiating like the
spokcs Of 4 wheel from n hub. represented
by tho grass plot a the middle Of the
square on which stands the statue Of
King William Ill These buildings are
connected by n covered way. which en-
circles the grass plot and the statue
The entrance faces Charles street on
the east Slac ot tbC square, ara ON passing
through its SWING doors, ono is Immediate
" in a large and beautifully furnished
lounge equipped with Turkey carpets
scttccs. Zig >addle-nackcd armchaIrS and
= grand piano In tic lounge arc to he
found the latest American papers. The
decoration of this room has been most
artistically done Passing through the
doorway at the further end Of the lounge
one comes to the writing room and library
the dining room and other quarters, all Of
them marked by the same exquisite taste
in decoration The chicf note in the color
scheme of the lounge is red, in the dining
room. blue and IN the library green and
white The inn has hundred bedrooms,
and If necessary. more can hc built
Each bedroom. though small IS well ard