Evening star., 1941-06-15
Work of Service Mems Club
Is Attested To by Its Fan Mail
Mrs. SchIey Heads
Army-Novy League
Recreation Project
BY JESSIE FAINT EVANS.

Every WIlcIe ulUGlltIS art WUIluCl-
ing under what conditions my boy''
is spending his leisure time away
from camp, whether he can find a
clean bed at price he can afford to
pay in a decent environment and
whether he has any place where he
can meet nice girls and have such
innocent fun as he might have with
his crowd at home.
The questions are well answered,
provided he finds his way to the
Soldiers, Sailors and Marines Club,
at 10I5 L street NV, which is owned
and operated by the Women's Army
and Navy League of Washington.
Mrs. Julien L. Schley, wife of Maj.
Gen. Schley, chief of Army En-
gineers, and its new president, says:
The average age of the service men
whom We welcome to this club is %
years and every day brings them in
increasing numbers. Often they are
homesick and lonely. Sometimes
they have scarcely two thin dimes to
rub together in their pockets. In
an atmosphere where they may be
proud to meet their fathers and
mothers, we are trying to anticipate
and meet their major needs.
Their appreciation and the fan
mail they write us from their Army
barracks, their airportS and their
naval bases are the richest thanks in
the world and intensely gratifying
and soul satisfying. Our only regret
is that because of lack of funds to
carry on as We would like to, we
must. to some extent, limit what we
can do ="
League Begun in 1872.
The beginnings of the Army and
Navy League actually 60 back TO
1872. It's present clubhouse was
purchased in 1923. Since then a
patriotic band of women from serv-
ice circles has labored year after
year to provide an increasingly ade-
quate clubhouse and recreational
center for enlisted men.
In no sense a temporary defense |
project, it is one of the few agencies
here able to meet in part the press
ing recreational problem for train
ees on leave in this overcrowded
city.
Both the Women's Democratic
Club and the Women's Republican
Club have put their shoulders to
the wheel in its behalf. The Demo-
cratic women have made possible
its attractive canteen which is never
closed. Here, service men have a
wide choice of food ranging from
sandwiches to full-course dinners
at moderate prices. The Republican
women have underwritten the crea-
ton of a garden adjoining the
cafeteria, planned by Miss Rose
Greeley as her contribution. Metal
tables with gayly striped umbrellas
make it most inviting.
Has 215 Beds and Cots.
A recent valued gift to its sleep
ing quarters consists of SO double
decker beds with innerspring mat
tresses. The club prides itself on
its adequate shower arrangements
and the comfort and cleanliness of
it's beds. For week ends 1t has
available 115 beds and 100 cots, and
if the evenings are warm, it can
accommodate additional numbers
on its sleeping porches.
When a company of British blue
jackets was here while its ship was
in dry dock for repairs, the Soldiers.
Sailors and Marines Club housed
and fed them free as its contribu-
ton to international goodwill.
There isn't a single posted rule
or regulation of dos or don'ts. "The
atmosphere is SUCH" Mrs. Schley
says. that I'VE do not any more need
them posted. than a family does
and our faith has never been mis-
placed. These service guests of ours
would make their mothers very
proud of their training. The only
printed matter we permit to be
circulated among our guests Is our
own little QUESTIONABLE asking for
suggestions as to how we may i'm
prove our service"
Open House Sundays.
Every Sunday afternoon the club
holds open house to which service
men are free to bring their guests
Tea, coffee, cake and sandwiches
are served free from buffet set up in
the parlors.
The club also plans high-class free
entertainments during its Sunday
"at homes" Mrs. Schley says
"public-spirited citizens who have
volunteered to fill up their cars with
service men for sightseeing trips
around Washington have made red
letter days of many Sunday morn
ings and afternoons for them"
Additional volunteers for this
e. AA.F~ E~-I-