Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1918-05-12
FAIR GROUNDS IS MADE
into TRAINING SCHOOL
Special Instruction in Auto
Mechanics.
LOCAL AUTOMOBILE MEN ASSIST
Each Shop Furnishes Expert Repair
Men to Act as Glass Instructors.
Glasses to Attend High School and
Mechanics Institute.

Work OF Transforming the state Fair
Grounds into a training school for the
contingent OF 500 West Virginia troops
due to arrive in Richmond. WAS yester-
day rapidly nearing completion. W. II.
Magee, director or the school. stated
that everything would he in readiness
for the opening Wednesday morning
at o'clock.
All Of the transformation is taking
place in the vicinity OF the industrial
building. on the northern side of the
grounds. This building itself will he
used as dining hall, and will afford
sleeping quarters for the soldiers. The
tables wee receiving finishing touches
yesterday, and the cots are expected
10 be put in upon the arrival OF the
men, Practically all of the booths in
this building have been moved and
.,.saccd together to allow more space
Aor the equipment. They Will not he
taken out however. MIR. MaEcc said.
since they will be needed this fall when
the fair is on.
KITCHEN AND sTonERoOM
HAS nEEN ERECTED
Just out from the Industrial build
ing a kitchen and stcreroom has been
erected. which is considered ideal from
cae standpoint of sanitary arrange
n,ents Besides being we'll ventilated
and lighted, ii is protected from flicS
by screens. thereby insurins tho boys
against contaminated food.
y short distance from this building
are buildings where instruction Will
take place, and where the necessary
repairs to automobile trucks will he
made. Two buildings formerly used as
cattle stalls, but now dry, clean and in
first class shape, will be ucd for truck
repairing and instruction In the rari-
Gus parts OF the truck mechanism. AL
together. eighteen benches have hecn
installed for the workmcn, and others
will he finished 10 make a total OF
twenty-thrce before the opening day.
At each bench II is planned to have
ono skilled instructor. a foreman from
local garages and automobile dealers,
who viii have charge OF twenty sol
diers from S o'clock in tho morning un-
til o'clock in the afternoon.
GLASSES IN MACHINERY
AND IN CARPENTRY
Grouped ncans. rho buildings mem
toned are oil-1r buildings, which will
he devoted 10 carpentry instruction and
bencn and mill instruction. The ma
Chin cry. benches and charts for bench
and. mill instruction have been OBJ
AIMED from the Binford Junior High
aSgfool and Mechanics Institute. and
will be laid down in the same manner
as in the school. There will DO three
classes in this department and FIVE In
carpentry.
been fastened TO practically all OF the
work benches and tools will be pur-
chased by the School Board by order
Of the War department. Some tools.
however. will be furnished by the city
schools Automobile dealers and re-
pair men who arc giving their fore
men to this project are expecting TO do
their share toward Offering the use OF
their tools and equipment where
needed.
Immediately beyond these buildings
is the bath house that IS just in the last
stages OF completion. Other sanitary
arrangements have also been provided
for. The bath house was built entirely
new and work on 1t was begun about
two weeks ago involving the laying OF
concrete floors and installing plumbing
and electric lighting fixtures. There
are forty showers. The room Is about
300 feet long by about fifteen feet
wide. The womcn's rest room has also
been converted 10 use in connection
with the bath house
OFFICERS QUARTERS
ARE TO BE PROVIDED
aAr Ofcers quarters, 1t is understood,
will be arranged for upon the arrival
OF the commander OF the troops, which
ID being expected al any moment by
School Board officials. There arc
plenty OF buildings suitable for This
purpose with some slight, alterations,
as laying new floors and putting in
screens. The grounds cover a space
OF about twenty or more acres and az
ford ample room for recreation TO the
soldiers after their days work Is over
while eight hours viii be devoted each
day TO work IN the training school!
part OF the day viii he taken UP win
Instructions in military discipline prob.
\ ably an hour or two before the begin.
ming of work each morning.
~ The automobile section VIII lie the
Il largest class III the training school. I,
GwiI comprise 464 men who vii! he ,n.
der twenty-thrce skilled mechanic.
furnished By automobile dealers and
repair men OF Richmond. Each me.
'chaDic Will take charge OF twenty mcr
and drill into them the principles Of
driving and the vital parts q,
& the truck. Dealers VIII cooperate witt
sthe school and vii! send machines In
eFspeed OF repair out TO the Fair Ground.
and have them put in good shape
sj.by the pupils. No charge Will be made
Asfor their labor. hut II is understood
ssthat only those having a spccia! order
So