Swing (Jan-Dec 1953)

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74 situated on the Virginia side of the Potomac River; and is only two miles from the cluster of federal buildings on Constitution Avenue in Washington. As a military headquarters, the Pentagon has no equal. It is home to the men who control military activi' ties in virtually every part of the world, from the fighting front in Korea to fleet units in the Mediterranean and other zones. Close contact is maintained with key personnel everywhere through the famous "telecons." Conferences can be held by telephone and teletype with participants in London, Tokyo and Berlin. Messages flow in and out between the Pentagon and its men on land, sea and air. Little facts about the noted center tickle the public palate. For example, there is the $4 million a year telephone bill; the 7,370 windows; 17 miles of corridors; 4,000 clocks; the 10 tons of waste paper collected each day; the 68,000 miles of trunk lines which makes the Pentagon's private branch telephone exchange the largest in the world; the four men whose only job is to replace the 600 light bulbs which burn out each day . With the exception of electric power, which it purchases, the Pentagon, with a population of 32,000, is as self-sufficient as any city. A visitor or employe may purchase anything from a button or a stamp to a suit of clothes or a television set, in the many stores lining the Concourse on the second floor. The Concourse, 680 feet long and 150 feet wide, is larger than that of the Pennsylvania station in New York City. in? The Pentagon "inhabitants" are fed at ten snack bars, six cafeterias or at the outdoor pavilion in the fiveacre central courtyard brightened by umbrellas of every color. A gymnasium, bowling alleys and handball courts provide for the recreational needs of officers and civilians. The stores and service centers were added to the Pentagon's facilities in order to lessen absenteeism resulting when employes wasted valuable time by shopping in downtown Washington during working hours. A person entering the Pentagon for the first time is struck by what appears to be one scene of confusion after another, with high-ranking officers and important-looking civilians hurrying back and forth in an endless stream. But in spite of its lack of apparent order, the Pentagon has come to be recognized as the most efficiently planned and operated office building anywhere. And that brings to mind another favorite story about the Pentagon. A new captain fresh from the field arrived to take up his duties in a Pentagon office. After a couple of weeks, he noticed that no matter how hard he worked, his desk always seemed to be stacked high, while that of an officer of similar rank was forever clear. "How do you manage?" the puzzled captain asked. "Simple," the other said, with a laugh. "I just mark everything, 'Captain Brown should see this.' " "You blankety-blank," the newcomer roared. "I'm Captain Brown!"