The Washington herald., 1909-04-14

a 100000 building for the Cosmos Club
is the latest addition 10 the proposed club
houses Of the National Capital.
The controversy between the younger.
or radical. and the older. or conservative
elements Of the Cosmos Club ended on
Monday night. when at a special meet
ing the proposition TO spend $4,000 for a
new home was passed after a spirited
discussion. in which the older members
were openly pitted against the men OF
newer blood.
Tie new structure VIII stand on
property already owned by the Cosmos
Club IN Madison place beyond the en-
trance TO the present building.
steady Growth Policy.
The club. by policy OF steady growth,
now owns not only the property at Il
street and Madison place northwest. but
three adjoining lots in Madison place, one
Of which is occupied by a three-story
brick structure used as a club. and an
other by the establishment OF a fashion
able dressmaker.
The plan OF the Cosmos Club, as formed
on Monday night, is 70 erect a building
suited 10 the growing needs Of the organ
ization on the latter Of the two lots, and
% remodel the present rooms 20 serve IS
an adjunct 20 the new quarters
Nothing win be lacking to make the
new structure the equal Of any club build
ing in Washington. The latest ideas of
architects and designers ia that line of
structure VIII be called into service. and
the proposed new building of the Uni
versity Club VIII be made 20 look 20 its
laUrels for the position OF the finest club
building in the National Capital
The property Of the Cosmos Club has
been acquired gradually. The holding on
which the present building stands. In
which are the Office, reading. dining, and
lecture rooms. was bought IN 1851. This
was followed in 1890 by the purchase OF
adjoining property IN Madison place. The
two contiguous lots in Madison place
were bought in 1905 and 15o8. respectively.
The southernmost lot is adjacent 70 the
Don Cameron property
CuImination OF Controversy.
Monday nights special meeting was the
elimination of a controversy, which has
been going On for some time between the
younger and the older members. The lat
ter element was in favor Of improving the
present quarters. az a proposed cost of
$4,000 The younger element was strongly
in favor Of the proposition TO erect a new
building. When the question was pat %
a vote. the younger members carried the
day. and the new building became an as
cured fact
The structure, which win be relegated
TO q subordinate position. is OF historic
interest L is known as the Dolly Madi-
son House from the fact that Mrs
Dolly Payne Madison lived there from
1897 until 1S49 II was in that building
that Dolly Madison reigLed as the belle
Of Washington. after the administration
Of her uncle. James Madison, fourth
President Of the United States.
When the house was bought by the
Cosmos Club the exterior was changed
by giving it a pebble dash. which Il has
to-day.
Dues Are Increased.
To help raise money for the new build
ing the annual dues OF the club were
raised az Monday nights meeting from
S35 TO S45. This change still leaves the
dues Of the Cosmos Club considerably
lower than those Of the Metropolitan
Club, but the increase viii contribute
materially 10 the income Of the organiza-
ton, and Will be powerful factor when
the campaign 20 raise the building fund
IS definitely started
The architect or the new structure has
not yet been chosen, but IL is under
stood be will be q man of national nromi-