The Washington herald., 1908-03-17

Metropolitan Club.
On Monday the new club building at
Seventeenth and II streets was ready to
receive its members To be quite sure.
the board OF governors OF the club held a
dinner there. at which they tested the
service and found it good, examined the
rooms. and. finding everything in order,
gave word for the moving to take place.
And so the Arlington Hotel annex is ST.
lent and deserted. and the new Metropoli-
tan Club is gay.
In way the Metropolitan Club is one
OF Washington's honored institutions. II
was founded December .. 1872. Since that
time it has been an active and prominent
feature in the city's social life
First Organizers.
w. W. Corcoran. who was its first pres
dent. with ". p. Sherman its vice presi-
dent, organized the club Since that time
it has numbered many of the great men
Of the nation among its officers and
members. The most distinguished diplO-
mats of foreign lands have been its guests
Its members by courtesy-when they
held the rank Of minister.
At present it has on its roster about $50
resident members over 800 nonresident
members. over 200 members on the absent
list, and some forty or fifty on the diplo-
matte list
Looking down the roster Of officers who
have guided its affairs from the time Of
its foundation one will see how high is
the rank Of the club. Following the first
president, Mr.. COrcOrah. other presidents
have been admiral c. r. 2. Rodgers. Ad-
miral John L. Worden. Judge John Davis,
Admiral George Dewey. John a. Kasson.
Admiral john g. Walker. and the present
president Elhu Root. Secretary Of State.
Among the list Of vice presidents the
following names are to be found: Admit
raj d. d. Porter. Admiral Worden, Gen.
ID. r. Saekett Cen. Philip Sheridan.
Judge Davis. Gen Schoheld. Admiral
Walker Gen. Ruggles. John A. Kasson,
Admiral Van Reypen, J. K. McCammon,
Archibald Hopkins and Nathaniel Hop
kns
First Quarters of Club.
The first Metropolitan Club was quar-
tered in the old Senator Harris House.
where Columbia College now stands. at
Fifteenth and X streets. 1t remained here
for four or five years. and then moved TO
the old Morris House. Vermont avenue
and Il street
In 1852 the younger members absorbed
the notion that the club should be greatly
enlarged and the scope Of its usefulness
extended. There was a cOterie. however.
which thought it too ventUresome 20 move
into larger quarters. As outcome OF the
divergence of views. the charter of the
club was surrendered.
a reincorporation was effected by John
Davis. Judge James LOwndes and Archi-
bald Hopkins. The ''society''-for so il
was called in the act Of Incorporation
was Incorporated for a term of twenty
years. Under the provisions of an act
OF Congress Of April q, 1884, the existence
of the corporation was extended, how
ever. TO ninety-nine years, from the 30
of June. 1852
As soon as the reorganization Of the
Metropolitan Club was effected. the clul
made its home in a building on the site
Of the new home. Just erected.
Fire Destroyed Building.
From this place the club was driver
by fire. which quite destroyed the prop
erty. The club promptly moved TO that
part cf the Arlington Hotel which il ha.
occupied for three years and which &
evacuated yesterday.
The present building was begun as soor
after the fire as possible The architect,
selected were Helms & La Fargo. Of New
York, best known. perhaps. as designer!
Of the St. Johns Cathedral in New York
They have succeeded in erecting a build
ing that is ideal for its purpose. Ii Il
open on all four sides to the light an,
air. IS commodous and handsome with
out pretention 90 ornateuess.
The main entrance is in II street.
short flight OF steps leading 10 the frs
floor. on which are the billiard rooms an,
offices. The billiard room is the fines
in Washington. II is finished in dul
wood, and extends the fun length OF IN
building.
on the second floor is the principal liv
ing room. IL Is right above the billiar,
room, and is as large. Here, too, ar
the writing rooms and splendid loungin
room, fitted up in leather and rare wood
by Lars Anderson. as a memorial TO nj
father.
10000 Books in Library.
on the third floor is the library-con
tanning over 10000 volumes-and the car
looms On the fourth floor is the larg
dining room, some private dining rooms
and the pantries.
The basement half below the stree
contains bathrooms. the wine cellars. wit
a complete cold storage equipment, III
electric lighting machinery. and com
pressed air cleaning plant
in short. the new club is equipped /
every detail for comfort of member
That the aesthetic side OF the buildin
has not been neglected is amply testifie
10 by the magnificent mural decoration
that are part of the harmonious desig
OF the building.
Members Of the Metropolitan Club cor
slider that great credit for the successfl
issue of the building plans is due IN
board Of governors and the present pres
dent EHhu Root
The personnel Of the board Of governor
includes the president. Admiral Roger
Chief Justice Clabough, Admiral Ran
say, Gen. Buchanan, Mr.. Wiley, Nathani,
Wilson. H. Rozier Duaney. Reginal
Heidekoper Gen. Woodruff. Thoma
Chatard. Gen. Coppinger. and Corcora
Thorn, who is secretary Of the club
The Metropolitan is the most excIusiy
Of the social clubs of Washington. S
great has been the demand for member
ship-which is already heavy-that onl
recently the initiation fee has been raise
10 500 and the annual dues to SIS.
BainbridEe in Commission.
Admiral Hemphin. in command Of III
Asiatic squadron. notified the Navy D,