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Assembly Rooms for Lake Seamen The first of the assembly rooms for. men aboard ship to tbe established 'under the provisions of the co-opera- tive plan of the Lake Carriers' Asso- ciation was opened in Cleveland on New Year's day. That the commit- tee has done well is abundantly proved by an inspection of 'the quarters. They are all that any one could require. The assembly rooms have been fitted up in conjunction with the shipping offices, which thave been greatly en- larged, to include the various' accom- modations offered to seamen under the new plan. The quarters occupy the second floor of a whole block on River street near the Main Street bridge. The main room is spacious, with an excellent south light, and is fitted up with all conveniences of club life, including built-in writing tables and library containing the latest mag- azines and periodicals. A number of tables are also provided for games. The decorative scheme is light and cheerful and the pictures on the walls are all excellent reproductions of standard works, A wide corridor, shut off iby portieres, leads from the main club room to the rear of the building. On one side of this corridor are quar- ters for wheelsmen and watchmen and on the other side for stewards and cooks. These are intended to be used iby them as business quarters during the season of navigation. In the rear are the offices of Assistant Shipping ASSISTANT SHIPPING COMMISSIONER W. F. WALL THE Marine REVIEW VIEW OF THE MAIN HALL OF THE ASSEMBLY ROOM IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE SHIPPING OFFICE AT CLEVELAND. Commissioner W. F. Wall and his as- sOciates, as well as a galley. While it is not the intention to serve meals at the assembly rooms, the installa- tion of the galley was prompted by the fact that it 1s sometimes neces- sary to serve a meal in an emergency case. The idea is that if a sailor lands in port without funds and without em- ployment, he can go to the assembly rooms and be provided with food to IN HIS OFFICE AT THE ASSEMBLY ROOMS. relieve any temporary distress, and this he can have as part of his right, A convenience which the men will doubtless appreciate is tthe baggage room. This is of generous dimensions and is intended to care for the effects of the men at all times. They may leave their effects there permanently and may have access to them at any moment. The baggage room 'adjoins the lavatory, so that the men thave every convenience to bathe and change their wearing apparel. The shipping commissioner's assis- tants will make a special point of seeing that all mail is properly for- warded. The assembly rooms are es- sentially clubs and the object is. 'to provide in them all the ordinary con- veniences of club life. ties are provided for 84 cents a month or $1 per year. It is quite gratifying to note that the rooms in Cleveland 'have been open only for a week, they are already well patronized and that at any time of the day from 40 to 50 men are to be found in them, either read- ing, writing or playing cards. Quite a number have already established it a practice to go there the first thing in the morning and shave and wash and prepare for the day, as the con- veniences of the are much greater than are to be found in the ordinary lodging house. Mr. J. H. Sheadle, vice president of the Lake Carriers' Association, has while rooms LEONA All these facili- - See apee tae SEL ETAT Ry, SI