The Washington herald., 1908-04-21

Fully 1900 delegates attended the open
Ing OF the Seventeenth Continental Con-
gress Of the National Society Of the
Daughters of the American Revolution at
Continental Hall yesterday morning.
AS early as last Thursday members Of
the S36 chapters Of the society who were
selected to attend the seventeenth con-
gress began arriving IN the city On every
train. When the massive doors Of the
beautiful home of the largest woman's
society in the United States were opened
at 1910 O'Clock. the immense auditorium
and galleries were found much too small
to accommodate the attendance.
Easter Finery Plentiful.
Spring costumes and Easter bonnets
were plentiful. For more than two blocks
north Of the entrance TO Continental Hall
on Seventeenth street an Easter parade
vended its way 10 the hall.
The walls OF the hall were draped IN
green burlap. while circus-like canvas
canopied the dome. The stage was COW
cred with rich rugs, while tables. orna-
n1ented with vases filed with a variety
of cut flowers, were placed here and there
on the elevated platform.
A Hfe-size portrait Of Martha Wash
ington adorned the center wall immedi-'
ately in the rear Of the president gen
erals table
The closing hour OF the first days ses-
sion was even more brilliant than the
opening. \ grand reception was given
the president general, Mrs. Donald Nc
Lean. by Mrs. Charles II. Terry and
Mrs Henry Bowron, of New York. in
the ballroom Of the New Willard.
Reception to Mrs. Mclean.
More than LS00 people attended this
function. Women superbly gowned filled
the corridors of the fashionable hosiery.
On the stroke Of O'Clock the large pro-
cession wended its way TO the elevators
which were to carry the visitors to the
tenth floor. where the reception was held.
1t took one hour and a half 10 move the
crowd which paid respects to Ms. Nc
Lean. and by the time the last person
had been heartily grasped by the hand
OF the president general It was well on
toward midnight.
The ballroom was cleared Of every chair
and ornament, with the exception Of the
two wings and the south end. In the
wings the ladies deposited their wraps, in
the south end n small stand had been
erected and chairs placed upon it, for the
tired guests 10 rest themselves.
During the entire evening the immense
room was filled so that moving about was
almost impossible.
Dinner 10 Mrs. Roberts.
Following the reception the members OF
the New York State delegation gave a
dinner in honor of the retiring State
regent. Mrs Henry ". Roberts. Mrs.
was also presented with a cres-
cent brooch consisting OF diamonds and
pearls. by the Daughters Of the Empire
State.
At the afternoon session of the con-
gress. two reports were heard and a
roll call of the State regents and dele
gates was made. At the conclusion Of the
call. it was found that more than 1900
had reported
The reports read were the programme
and eredentiaI reports. The chairmen Of
each committee made the reading. The
president general put the report 10 a vote.
Both were adopted.
The programme report was embodied in
the Seventeenth Continental Congress
The CTedential report show
ed that there were SS1 chapters, two Of
which were not entitled to vote, forty-six
not represented, while nineteen have not
reported.
The membership OF the society has in.
creased in the past year from 60,69S 70