Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-10-16
CLUB HOUSE OCCUPIED
Commercial Clubs Home In
formally. Opened
IN OLD CAMERON MANSION
Historic Building in Lafayette
Square Remodeled.
MEMBERS CROWD LARGE ROOMS
All Highly Pleased With Arrange.
ments for Comfort and
Convenience.

Members Of the Commercial Club OF
Washington began the use Of their club
house-the Cameron home-at - Lafa
yette square last night, and this organiZa
tion of prominent business men of the
National capital now takes its place
among the leading clubs of the city.
The opening of the clubhouse was en-
tirely without Formally or ceremony. For
many weeks the officers and especially
the members of the house committee have
been busy in directing the remodeling ant
decoration of the mansion that has bee2
the scene of many a brilliant gathering in
the past. a few days ago 1t was deter
mined that the work was so near COM
pletion that the members could enjoy the
comforts therein provided. Last night
was fixed as the opening time, the mem
bers were notified and they fiocked to the
clubhouse in goodly numbers. despite the
unpropitious weather.
From basement to garnet the rooms
were made brilliant by the light from
many electric bulbs and candlelike gas
jets. reflected by the highly polished hard
wood floor and wall. Big logs were blaz-
ing in several of the many huge fireplaces
In the mansion, each seeming to dedicate
the house as truly club home. The
magnetic attraction OF the taStefuily deco
rated rooms, the brilliant lights and the
biazlng nres was increased by the easy
chairs scattered throughout the house.
Early in the evening members OF the
club began to arrive in twos ana threes,
and their rapid-fire remarks as they
passed from one room to another and
noted the thoughtful comforts provided
throughout was enough to amply repay all
those in charge of the redecorating for
their weeks of labor for the club, and
even make them call for enlarged hats
today. To say that the members are
p.sased with their quarters is putting 1t
mildly, according to an impartial OBJ
s,.ver. And ii was predicted that this
mansion. long prominent in the past an
nais OF the National Capital for its bril-
liant social gatherings, will continue in
ta+ future, as the home of the CONNER
to be conspicuous in the life of
the city. -
is Make Inspection Tour.
In keeping with the informality of the
opening Of the clubhouse. the members
sauntered through its rooms as if they
had been in possession of the home for
years Thomas w. Smith and D. i.
Porter found some chairs that just suited
them in front Of the beautiful onyx fire.
place in the lounging room on the second
moor, and 1t was predicted last night that
they will be seen many times in the
future In those same chairs. John l..
Weaver. whose high appreciation of all
kinds OF property has been attested by
his testimony In behalf of owners be-
many of the upholstered pieces properly
classed as easy chairs, but his duties
as chairman of the house committee pre-
vented him from enjoying any one of
them Tor many minutes. William D.
Hoover, whose duties as a member of
the board of education have enabled him
10 enjoy anything comfortable, investi-
gated some Of the comforts Of the club.
And many others, too numerous to men,
ton by name. attested by staying late
the clubhouse.
Upon striving at the clubhouse the
members found themselves in a white
walled hallway. Leaving their coats
and hats with a hallboy they strolled
into the spacious library extending
along the front Of the house and be-
yond into the smaller and coy writing
room II bent on investigating the re-
sources Of the home. they peeked into
the cioakroom In the rear and into the
kitchen they more than peel1ed. for it's
new equipment Of latest pattern de-
manded careful scrutiny
On the Second Floor.
Mounting to the second floor from
the hallway by a broad fight Of steps
that turns In a circular bay window,
embeliished with palms and autumn
leaves in an attractive design, the
members found entrance to the general
lOunging and reception rooms extending
along the front Of the house. The high
and wide windows insure an inviting
appearance during the day, and the
blazing fire in the fireplace and the
electric lights promise an 0en greater
attractiveness in the evening. These
rooms proved popular gathering place
last night. Back of these front rooms
are the double dining rooms. with pam
tries adjoining and dumb-waiter
from the kitchen below. Here are large
and small tables, sideboards in the bay
windows that overlook the rear yard
rooms were dedicated last night by the
serving Of refreshments.
On the third floor are several bedrooms.
with baths adjoining. and a room where
the meetings of the board of governors
can be held. Looking out of the rear
were shown another building, which will
be remodeled and decorated for billiard
and pool rooms and other features as
the needs of the club are developed.
Last nights housewarming, it Is ex1
blamed was not the formal opening OF
the club. That will take place in two or
three weeks. after the decorators have
finished their work. and all the new fur
niture mas Oeen lnSJaIle0. mat Is oX-
pected to be the occasion for a large gath
ering Of the members and their friends
among the prominent business men Of the
city. The initial meeting for the for
mr. ton Of the club was held February
l6 Of the present year, and the club
was incorporated April q.
0@cers Of the Club.
The officers are: President. T.. C.
Graham: first vice president, CunO II.
Rudolph: second vice president, William
A. Mearns: secretary, d. J. Callahan
treasurer, William d. Hoover. The man.
agement of the club Is In the hands OF
the president and secretary and nine d.
reetOrs-Ralph W. Lee. Chaplin Brown, d.
j. Kaufman. John l.. Weaver, T. w.
Smith. George Truesdell. d. S. Porter
Arthur G. Moses and A. NJ. Lothrop On
the executive committee are Messrs. Lee
Brown. Moses. Lothrop and Weaver.
The house committee, which has direct
supervision of the redecorating OF the
mansion for the club. Is composed OF
John l.. Weaver, Arthur c. Moses. Otto
Luebkert, George f. Schutt and w. II
Rapley.
The membership committee includes
Thomas c. Moves. chairman: Milton h.
Allies, w. 8. Corby, X. Golden Donald.
son. E. S. NARROW. Thomas p. Morgan
James F. Oyster, Myron M. Parker and
W. III. Rapley.
The members, who are business men OF
the National Capital. number about 12J
and there are about 100 applications pend
ing.