impression to the public that little or nothing is being done, which as you can readily see is not the case. Very sincerely yours, WAR HOSPITALITY COMMITTEE, Weekly Saturday night lodging report Organization Cots avail- Cots occu- pied Accommodated in other ways, chairs, floors, etc. Referred elsewhere J. S. Bennett Memorial Club 1. Lisner Home. Memorial Bridge recreation area 1. All Souls Church. Christ Church. Salvation Army, United Services Organization 1. Young Men's Christian Association, 12th St. MINUTES OF THE SERVICEMEN'S LODGING COMMITTEE OF THE WAR HOSPITALITY COMMITTEE, METROPOLITAN CIVILIAN DEFENSE, TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 1943 Present: Winfree E. Johnson, chairman, Servicemen's Lodging Committee. Harold Buckles, secretary of Congressman Tolan. Floyd D. Akers, chairman, War Hospitality Committee. Capt. John H. Simpson, United States Army, Military District of Washington. Lt. A. A. Tillmann, United States Marine Corps. Lt. Comdr. W. D. Thompson, United States Naval Reserve, welfare and recreation officer. D. C. Malcolm, inspector, District of Columbia Health Department. Guy P. Webb, reporter for Washington News. William Flythe, reporter for Times Herald. Commander William A. Corley, retired. David Whatley, United Service Organizations attorney. John Luther, Evening Star reporter. Vesper Smith, Young Men's Christian Association, United Service Organizations representative. Clarence Arata, executive secretary, Washington Board of Trade. Miss Clara Hjerpe, secretary to Senator William Langer. Mrs. Laura Barney, information desk representative. Mrs. Kathryn Godwin, administrative assistant, War Hospitality Committee. Arnold L. Lovejoy, club director, Service Club No. 1. Mrs. Ellen Bidstrup, public relations, War Hospitality Committee. Miss Dorothy Bradshaw, representative, Twelfth Street United Service Mrs. William Galvin, executive secretary, War Hospitality Committee. Capt. Alfred Osborne, United Service Organizations, Salvation Army. Minutes of September 21, 1943: Motion by Mr. Bautz, seconded by Commander Corley, that the minutes of September 21, 1943, be approved as read. Passed unanimously. Lodging report for Saturday night, September 25, 1943: 1,095 of the 1,149 cots for white servicemen in the District of Columbia, and 180 of the 352 cots available for Negro servicemen in the District were occupied on Saturday night; 1,014 of the 1,165 cots available at the Memorial Bridge recreation area, and 2 of the 42 cots available at the United Service Organizations Club for Negro servicemen in Alexandria, Va., were occupied by servicemen on Saturday night, September 25. Centers with overflows: All Souls' Church.. St. Margaret's Church. Young Mens' Christian Association, G St. Covenant Church. Salvation Army U. S. O.. Volunteers of America.. The trucking service report of Saturday night indicated that a total of 833 men were taken to the Memorial Bridge recreation area by this service; 17 trips were made between the hours of 11:15 and 5:05 a. m., 7 stops were made at Service Club No. 1 and a total of 173 men picked up; 8 stops were made at Soldiers, Sailors and Marines Club, picking up 146 men; 8 stops at G Street Young Mens' Christian Association totaling 48 men; 7 stops were made at the United Service Organization Salvation Army and 182 men picked up; and 8 trips to Union Station lounge picked up a total of 284 men. In all, 38 stops were made during the night. OLD BUSINESS Emergency lodging for wives of servicemen: Last Saturday night the secretary obtained from War Housing an up-to-date listing of inspected rooms available for that particular night which was submitted to the Travelers' Aid desk at Union Station. This list proved to be of great help. Another list was made available of tourist homes in or near the center of the city. This list was used by the volunteers who operate the centralized calling system between 6 to 12 at night at Service Club No. 1. Additional lodging facilities: Mr. Bautz reported that the Church of the Covenant will be opened full-time throughout the week as soon as they have sufficient help to staff the operation. Approximately 40 to 68 cots, free of charge, will be made available. The chairman stated that he had heard nothing further as to the possibility of finding additional lodging quarters; however, the presence of Monsignor Shehan at next week's meeting may alter the situation, as there is a possibility of establishing lodging in the Catholic Churches. Additional equipment: Motion by Commander Corley, seconded by Mr. Bautz, that an additional 200 steel cots be purchased. Passed unanimously. An additional motion by Commander Corley, seconded by Mr. Bautz, that efforts be made to purchase sheets, pillows, pillow cases, and blankets as necessary for the 200 cots just authorized. Passed unanimously. Regarding the Federal Works Agency equipment, Mr. Miller stated that the final report as to the equipment needed will now be turned over to Mr. Kappler of the Federal Works Agency for approval. Mr. Akers explained that under the present budget (Community War Fund moneys) several thousand dollars are still available for the purchase of additional equipment; provided, of course, we get the necessary priorities as well as the additional space to make use of the extra equipment. NEW BUSINESS Open discussion: Mr. Arata, executive secretary of the board of trade, gave an account of the lodging services offered to enlisted men and officers through their agency. It was his desire to assist us in every possible way by furnishing us additional listings of rooms for Saturday nights. He was of the opinion that the congestion at Union Station was due to the fact that in the majority of cases, the men in question have only a 2- or 3-hour stay-over in Washington, and rather than look elsewhere for a place to sleep, try to make themselves as comfortable as possible at the station. Regarding potential lodging of servicemen in the Senate Office Building, Captain Simpson issued the following report: In the fall of 1942, several efforts were made by himself and other members of the Servicemen's Lodging Committee to obtain lodging facilities at the Senate Building garage, but were unsuccessful. Mr. Lynn at that time stated that the matter was in the hands of Senator Byrd, then chairman of the committee which handles such matters. The request was denied by Senator Byrd, and Captain Simpson and Mr. Schoolcraft were told by the Senator that Vice President Wallace would not permit its use for sanitary reasons. The chairman, speaking in behalf of the committee, expressed his appreciation of Representative Tolan's interest in trying to help us solve the problem at Union Station. Representative Tolan assured the committee that he is tremendously interested in what we are doing. He further stated that at the time he introduced this resolution the thought furthest from his mind was to criticize, and he still feels the same about it. He introduced this bill after his inspection of Union Station at 4 o'clock one Sunday morning when he found to his amazement several hundred men sleeping in telephone booths, on benches, and outside on the grass. However, looking into the matter further he realized that similar conditions prevail in other railroad stations throughout the country. He stated further that "he was not married to the proposition of the Senate garage"; all he is interested in is a lodging place in the near vicinity of the railroad station in order to alleviate the congestion at Union Station. If necessary, he went on to say, "we will amend the resolution." However, he confirmed Captain Simpson's previous statement that "we don't know as to the future situation." Commander Corley explained that a great number of men hesitate leaving the station due to the irregularity of the trains. Representative Tolan, questioning as to whether or not additional facilities are needed, received a positive reply from Mr. Akers that they are needed. The Representative remarked that it is a cumbersome set-up at the present time, and asked Mr. Akers whether he preferred the garage to the barracks: whereupon Mr. Akers replied: "We cannot choose; we will take whatever we can get." Representative Tolan, speaking in regard to the new United Nations Service Center, asked if it could be possible for officers to take over the entire hotel, but Mrs. Galvin assured him that that could not happen under the present plan, answering that question as follows: The top floor is assigned to service women; the next two floors to officers and their wives. The fourth floor for enlisted men who want hotel accommodations in order to get away from the barracks. The entire third floor is designated for cot accommodations-inexpensive dormitories. Lounging facilities are available on the second floor for enlisted personnel who want to sit up for a period of 3 or 4 hours, while the lower floors are equipped with canteens, showers, and telephones. There is also a nursery for the care of infants. She further remarked that the purpose of this service club is to provide decencies and comforts for our troops in transit, and that it was not planned primarily for lodging. The chairman reported that, while visiting Union Station last Saturday night between the hours of 2 and 3 in the morning, he aroused at least a dozen men and questioned them as to the reason for their sleeping at the station at that hour. In every instance, he stated, these men were either waiting for a train or for someone to pick them up. They showed no desire to go to bed. Mr. Arata confirmed this report and regretted the somewhat unfortunate publicity. The chairman reported further that when this committee was first organized, the gymnasium at Union Station was brought to their attention. It was inspected at that time and found to be a fire trap and would have required too much capital to renovate it in order that it might pass inspection by the Health Department. "To the best of my knowledge," he went on, "nothing further had been done about this." Mr. Malcolm was of the opinion that lodging of servicemen in this gymnasium was "out of the question" due to the fire hazards. Mr. Akers questioned Captain Simpson as to whether or not we can count on the normal fall of traffic during the winter months. Captain Simpson pointed out that, according to charts and figures since October 1942, he doubts very much that we can count on the diminishing of traffic. In regard to the gymnasium, Captain Simpson confirmed the statement of Mr. Johnson, and further maintained that the records of the inspection tours made by the committee were open to everyone. The chairman explained that the committee realized long ago the problem at the Union Station, and in order to solve it, lodging at the junior high school, two blocks from Union Station, was established. It was his desire at the time that this lodging center be made available only for last minute emergency accommodations, which would be just before midnight; but due to the popularity of this center, this late schedule could not be maintained for long. Under the present plan, the slogan is "first come, first served." At that time, he stated further, investigation had already been made in regard to the Senate Office Building. Miss Hjerpe, secretary to Senator Langer, assured the committee that Senator Langer "is not trying to criticize what everyone else is doing." She questioned as to what attempt had been made to measure the need for additional lodging, and whether it would be possible to make a systematic survey of the Union Station as to what percentage of the men are waiting for trains, and what percentage can get beds but are not interested. Such information, she remarked, would be of value. Miss Hjerpe explained that the Senator is not concerned as to who furnishes accommodations for these men, but rather, that they should have these accommodations if they want them. Mr. Akers suggested that Miss Hjerpe show the Senator one of our information pamphlets which covers recreation as well as lodging facilities. In answer to the question raised by Miss Hjerpe in regard to a possible survey, Captain Simpson reported that such a report has already been made but has as yet not been turned over to the lodging committee, and assured her that everyone appreciates Senator Langer's humanitarian impulse and remarked further that it would have been more satisfactory if this committee had been consulted as to what had been done and what is being done before the introduction of the resolution. Miss Hjerpe continued further that it is not necessarily important as to how the approach was made as this is a democracy, and she was of the opinion that, in the eyes of the people, the purchase of the Capitol Park Hotel was a poor decision and as far as she was concerned, questionable. In reply to Miss Hjerpe's statement, Mr. Akers recounted the reasons for taking over the Capitol Park Hotel. He pointed out that we are doubling our facilities over the two stories originally planned which would have cost approximately $350,000 and would have proved disappointing after the war, while under the present plan, involving approximately $400,000, the building can be used to advantage after the war for office space or other purposes. He said that he thought the decision was a very good one and had the endorsement of the Army, Navy, as well as other Government agencies. Miss Hjerpe was of the opinion that a concise but comprehensive statement should be made and Mr. Akers assured her that such a statement would be made. He said that since these plans were made during the early part of September when Congress was not in session, the preliminary plans may not have come to their attention. The chairman concluded the meeting by thanking Representative Tolan, Miss Hjerpe, and Mr. Buckles for their presence at this meeting and expressed his desire to have them work with the committee when the new center is completed, and assured everyone that the taking over of the Capitol Park Hotel would without a doubt improve the situation at Union Station. The meeting was adjourned at 3:20 p. m. Respectfully submitted. CHARLOTTE ROBINSON, Secretary. SURVEY FOR NEED FOR ADDITIONAL FACILITIES FOR SERVICEMEN IN OR NEAR UNION STATION, WASHINGTON, D. C. The presence of many servicemen napping or lounging in the waiting room at the Union Station, Washington, D. C., at all hours of the day or night has raised the question in the minds of many persons interested in the welfare of these men as to whether facilities provided for them are adequate. Unquestionably there are sufficient sleeping facilities in the Washington area available to them. The question raised, however, was whether servicemen using the station waiting room and United Service Organizations lounge were unable to make use of these facilities because their stay was too short to permit their traveling the distance necessary, or whether there were other conditions which made it impossible for them to use existing facilities. If this should prove to be the case, a further question was raised as to whether some additional facility for sleeping and napping was needed in or near the Union Station. In order to secure as accurate information as possible on this latter question the United Service Organizations in collaboration with the Federal Security Agency and the Red Cross made a survey of actual conditions in the station during the period March 16 to March 23, 1943. The survey was made in two parts: 1. A count of servicemen in the station proper and in the United Service Organizations lounge at designated intervals, showing the total servicemen present, and the number napping or sleeping. 2. An opinion survey of a selected number of these men in which they were asked reasons for their being in the station, how long they had been there, whether they were aware of available facilities, and whether they would use sleeping or napping facilities if these were provided in or near the station. SURVEY METHOD The station counts and the interviews with servicemen were made by social workers furnished by the Red Cross, who worked in teams of two. The week was divided into 22 periods. A count of the servicemen in the station, and a number of interviews, were made at each of these periods. The hours selected varied with the day of the week, as follows: 2-4 a. m. and p. m. on Tuesday, 4-6 a. m. and p. m. on Wednesday, 6-8 a. m. and p. m. on Thursday, and 8-10 a. m. on Friday. From 8 p. m. on Friday to 8 p. m. on Monday the interviewers worked continuously in 4-hour shifts. At the beginning of each weekday shift, and every 2 hours during the week end, two counts were made: (1) The number of servicemen awake in the station, and (2) the number of servicemen asleep at that particular hour. The results of these counts are shown in tables I to IV in the appendix. After each count was made the interviewers then talked with approximately 50 men in the following 2-hour periods. Each interviewer followed a simple questionnaire, a copy of which is also to be found in the appendix. In addition, the interviewers asked the men suggestions on improving the services available to servicemen. SAMPLE COMMENTS OR SUGGESTIONS In order to indicate the nature of the comments and suggestions made by servicemen to the interviewers a sample of 400 out of a total 1,340 questionnaires was selected, 100 of which were taken in the United Service Organizations lounge and 300 in the waiting room. Out of the 400 questionnaires selected, 131 contained no suggestions or comments, while 269 contained one or more suggestions or comments. Of the 300 men interviewed in the waiting room, 126 men indicated their preference for the waiting room rather than for the lounge for the following reasons: 1. Found the lounge too crowded.... 35 2. Waiting with friends or meeting people 3. Had only short wait between trains.. 4. Wanted to obtain information. 5. Wanted change from lounge__ 6. Enjoyed activity in station.. 7. Miscellaneous: (a) Marine did not want to sit with Army men. (b) Wanted to read.. (c) Did not find lounge cozy. (d) Expected to go to lounge later. (e) Was afraid of missing train... (f) Wanted to stay awake__ (g) Found station quieter than lounge.. 3 3 18181116 |