Evening star., 1941-05-25
Modernistic Design
To Feature Clubs
For Servicemen
Up-to-Dute Recreation
Rooms Will Replace
World War 'Huts'

World War veterans who have oc-
casion to visit Army camps and
Navy shore establishments few
months from now will look in vain
for the slapped-together "huts" re-
membered as the recreation centerS
of their 1918 service days. They
probably will view with Wonderment
centain rambling one-story buildings
of strikingly modern design and eX-
press amaZement when told these
are the l94l successors to the drab
clubhouses they knew.
A Federal construction program
and cooperative effort by six
Nation wide welfare organizations
are being combined to provide
wholesome leisure time centers for
men of the armed forces and work
ers in defense industries. A typical
building design, made public by the
United Service Organizations which
will manage the clubs, reveals a
functional structure with a large
amount of window space.
Men entering this type of building
will find themselves in a lounge
measuring IS feet by so feet. Walls
will be of wood paneling in soft COL
ors. OFF this room will be a snack
bar" and a covered. screened porch
provided with tables and chairs. In
the rear, large social hall, ranging
up to As feet by 70 feet, depending
on the needs of the community. will
be located Here games, dances and
special entertainment programs will
be presented. There will be folding
chairs to permit maximum utiiza-
ton of the available space.
Powder Rooms, Too.
Small group meetings and enter
talnment of friends and relatives are
to be carried on in two smaller
rooms, about 20 feet by 80 feet. A
powder room is to be included for
the convenience of mothers, wives
and girl friends.
Appointments will include large
fireplace in the lounge in locations
where winters are cold. Venetian
blinds before the windows, pictures
on the walls and modern furniture
U. S. o. officials explain every eff
fort will be made to create and
maintain a homelike atmosphere.
Each building will have office
space for the participa ting agencies.
and cots will be included in the
equipment where weekend accom-
modations are found necessary.
From some of those approached
as contributors the U. S. o. expects
to hear the objection:
But why do we have to pamper
these boys? Aren't they supposed
to be toughened up in the Army?"
Need Relaxation.
The answer will be an explana-
tion that the morale needs of
peacetime Army and Navy are
much greater than those of forces
preparing for early battle, that they
do not have the sustaining incent-
i've Of meeting an enemy. There
fore, the welfare combine contends,
they must be given attractive places
in which to relax, write letters and
engage in social activity when off
duty.
Because it is recognized that the
men want to get away from re-
stricted areas during leisure time,
the clubhouses are being built near,
but not within, military and naval
reservations.
Each OF the six cooperating or
ganizations will present its own pro-
grams of entertainment or spiritual
guidance and will seek to take ad-
vantage of existing community set
ups. Defense workers, both men
and women, will serve in towns
where the emergency production
program has rendered community
facilities for recreation inadequate.
Religious Service Included.
A summary of the program states,
In part:
The activities will include
religious services. personal counsel
and guidance, social events and en-
tertainment, group activities in
dramatics, music and crafts; dis
tribution of literature, information
facilities, transportation and other
aid to service men on leave and
other workers in transit
The Nation wide campaign for
funds with which to operate the
clubs will begin June and last
three weeks. A fund of $10765, 900
will be sought.
Preliminary solicitation already is
IN progress here by special gifts
unit. The local goal is s250000, of
which sl45,000 will go to the ma
tional organization, the remainder
being retained for moral needs in
the Capital.
Rear Admiral Chester w. Nimitz,
chief Of the Navy Bureau of Navi-
cation, will be guest speaker at the
first report luncheon of the special