Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-04-22
PROPOSED NEW CLUB
PLANS BEING DISCUSSED FOR So
CIAL ORGANIZATION HERE.
Broader Lines Contemplated by the
Gentlemen Interested Recent
Metropolitan Affairs Factor.

Tentative plans for the formation of
new social club in this city are being dis
cussed among men prominent in official and
social circles of Washington. Secretary
Hay and. Secretary Root are deeply inter-
ested in the suggestion and have conferred
with others about 1t, the idea thus far
meeting with approval. 1t is said that
some of the most enthusiastic supporters
of the suggestion are at present members
Of the Metropolitan Club.
Up to this time the plans have not taken
definite shape. 1t is believed, however.
that there is little doubt. with the distin-
guished sponsorship supporting the PROPOSE
ton, new club will be organized. If
so it will be along broader lines than
any similar institution now existing here,
although not calculated to contain a MEM
bership less distinguished, but quite the
contrary The basis of qualification will,
1T is asserted, be such, however that
man of mark will not be debarred from
membership because some person objects
to the color of his hair or the width of the
toe of his boot.
Secretary Root and Secretary Hay have
definite ideas concerning the scope of the
suggested new organization. These gentle
men have had wide experience in club life,
Secretary Root having been president of
the Union League and both having been
long time members of the Metropolitan
Club of this city. Secretary Root a
nonresident member of the Metropolitan
for fifteen years before coming to Wash
ington.
The suggestion of these gentlemen, in the
conversations which have been held con-
cerning the project has been that the club
should be organized along patriotic lines
rather than distinctly social-an elabora-
ton. of the famous Union League. In the
new club a man as distinguished as F'itZ-
hugh Lee would not be debarred because
fact of another candidate having been d
lifelong republican be counted as a neces-
sary qualification. In those respects the
new club would differ from the Union
League.
The argument in favor of the club is that
Washington is the proper place for broad
gauge organization, taking in the distin-
guished men of all sections and of all par
ties. This city is the center of political
life of the nation, and here every noted
man comes, one time or another. The club
would be the rendezvous of men prominent
in political. official literary, professional
and business walks of the nation.
Andrew Carnegie would not be debarred
from membership because he had made
money selling steel and iron; there would
have to be substantial objection The
commercial life of the nation would be
recognized as existing.
The new club would have well defined
bases of qualification for membership, SO
that it could not be made the vehicle for
the mere social ambitions of persons who
In some way or other had come to financial
affiuence without corresponding social rank.
But there would also be exact bases of
disqualification of membership, so that men
who possessed qualifications could not be
kept out by whim or malice
Recent Events.
1t is said the movement for the new club
has been stimulated. If not suggested, by
the recent occurrence in the Metropolitan
111b ia said hat
Secretary Hay and Secretary Root felt that
If a club nodded on broad and patriotic
lines should be formed. care should be
taken to make 1t impossible to bar a dis
tinguished candidate except for a reason
stronger than mere personal dislike.
The incident referred to has also renewed
the irritation of local clubmen, it is said,
over the narrow Interpretation of rules
which are held to be vexatious rather than
salutary. In club circles the belief is ex-
pressed that the aim of the suggested new
institution will be heartily approved by
prominent men who now are bound by al
legiance to clubs dominated by such rules.
1T perhaps may we'll be urged" said one
of the advocates Of the new club, that in
a distinctively social club any kind of rule
may prevail, restricting admission or limit
ing the exercise of privileges of the club
after admission. But it is contended that
there is room in Washington for q club
built on broader foundation, and my
opinion is that the suggestion which has
the Endorsement of Secretary Hay and Sec
retary Root for a club on wide patriotic
lines, will be encouraged by many proni-
nent club men of this and other cities"
Continuing. this gentleman recalled the
incident of last winter when the Speaker
Of the House Of Representatives, who is a
nonresident member Of prominent local
club, gave dinner party to which he in
v1ted among others a distinguished Wash
ingtonian. Speaker Henderson was re-
DuKed 1or the presence of that guest. which
1nfrlnged rule of the club that no citizen
or washington can be entertained in the
club. General Henderson was highly in
censed and resented the rebuke with bit
terress.
Now. such rule as that is poppycock.'
said The Stars informant, land certainly
VIII have no place in club organized
along the line we contemplate If that
guest had lived at Takoma Park or Alex
andria or Upper Marlboro he would have
been without the letter of the rule. and no
objection would have been raised / sim
ply cite this to show the necessity for the
organization in this city of a club which
VIII get together men of distinction and NOT
hamper their assembling by narrow and
nab r,,la >~AN~