Rooms for General Conference by W. T. Knox

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Mar 27, 1913

Rooms for General Conference

By W. T. Knox

It is important that the matter of rooming facilities at the time of the coming General Conference be fully understood by those who may be planning on securing rooms.

The Conference will be held on the Seminary grounds. The location is about a mile from Takoma Park proper, and the neighborhood does not have many private homes near by. Available rooms in the immediate vicinity are very few.

The Washington Sanitarium is now using nearly all its rooms for patients, and anticipates a patronage through the Conference session that will make it impossible to use rooms for entertainment of visitors.

The Seminary buildings will be vacated by the students, and the rooms used for those of our foreign workers who, on account of climatic changes or other urgent necessity, must be indoors, and for aged workers and others in poor health. The demand for these rooms is such that the assignment of each one is made with careful consideration by our Committee on Location and Entertainment. The urgent demand for these rooms will far exceed our supply.

The church-school and General Conference buildings, located about a mile from the grounds, will be utilized for rooming purposes. A number of men, with two or more in a room, can be cared for here.

A limited number of rooms may be had in Takoma Park in private homes. Some of these are fully furnished, affording accommodations for one or two persons to a room at $2 to $4 a week for each person. Other rooms will be provided with cots for two to six persons to a room. The prices for these range from $1.50 a week for each individual, upward, according to accommodations.

We understand that some persons not of our faith who have rooms to let are planning to secure prices which to us seem exorbitant. The urgent demand for rooms at this time will give opportunity to those wishing to do so to take advantage of the occasion, and make it one of financial gain. We very much regret anything of this nature, and wish to do everything we can to prevent it. Our General Conference gatherings must not be occasions that in any degree savor of commercialism. Our General Conference Committee has studied carefully how to provide everything needed by our visitors at the lowest figures possible. Some of the prices quoted in our rates for tents and furnishings are below cost.

We would advise all who can possibly do so to occupy tents. All tents will be in first-class condition, most of them being new. They will be well floored, and located with a view to health and comfort. The grounds will be supplied with good walks, and everything possible will be done to make tenting pleasant and agreeable. We have secured good iron cots, made with springs, and comfortable mattresses. Two may be placed together to form a double bed. With an ample supply of bedding, which each should bring, most persons will find tenting comfortable.

Scores of requests are being received for a location "near the pavilion." While it will, of course, be impossible to have all tents located next to the large pavilion or in some other choice location, they will all occupy ground comparatively near by and with convenient access to all parts of the camp. The rates quoted are reasonable—from $3.50 to $5.50 an individual for the entire time of the meeting. The rate is determined by the number of persons occupying a tent, and covers tent rent, lumber, and furnishings.

Those who feel that they must have rooms, and are willing to take them at some distance and under conditions already mentioned, should write at once. The supply is nearly exhausted already. State if tents can be used if rooms are not to be had.

Address all requests for accommodations to L. A. Hansen, Takoma Park, Washington, D. C. Send your order as early and state requirements as plainly as possible. It is very important that every one coming, either as delegate or otherwise, give us formal notice. Do not take it for granted that we know it already and will make provision accordingly. We must know quite fully what the attendance will be, so that we may make proper provision for the dining and seating capacity required, the help needed in various departments, and many other demands. We wish to be fully prepared for all needs.

W. T. Knox.