The Washington herald., 1909-06-20

ganizatiOn. financially and socially, ev-
erybody will indulge in a good laugh at
the whole lurid tale. As a matter OF
fact, the Congressional Club is one OF
the things which is liable to go on for
ever by it's own volition. When Mrs.
James Breck Perkins first promoted tie
idea, she did It rather timidly. not just
knowing how the pulse Of Congressional
opinion would throb at her suggestion.
Her timidity soon took the form Of a
good stiff, hold-back attitude all on ac-
count Of the tremendous enthusiasm dis
played by everybody from the most rig
Orously exclusive hostess in the circle
down to the latest conner who, not know
Ing the ropes of social Washington. spent
much OF her time in seeing how the
''puleys'' worked.
The glad shout Of joy which went up
when the possibilities Of the club began
10 permeS;o the feminine brain. brought
everybody to attention at once and the
presiding officer at the earliest sessions
had all she could do TO keep the sug-
gestions down TO a basis limited enough
TO discuss logically. Scarcely had the
club received its name until II had its
home picked out for II, while gifts OF
furniture came faster than the secretary
pro tenn" could write the proper and
becoming thank you's. The regular
series OF weekly Friday afternoon al
homes, which were a feature Of the
clubs first season. brought almost the
entire Congressional representation TO the
pretty club rooms. and some OF the most
interesting teas OF the winter were given
by the several committees intrusted with
the duty Of looking out for the social
end Of things.
Meet on Neutral Ground.
As for the cf1ciaI personnel, beginning
with its founder, Mrs Perkins, and run
ming down the roster. any one acquainted
with the life Of the city can give judg-
ment as TO the matter OF social prestige.
However. as a matter Of fact. the clubs
one aim is TO give all women. whatever
their social aspirations. an opportunity
to meet on absolutely neutral ground. It's
promoters never had any idea OF having
II intervene between established friend
ships Once within the Congressional /
Club fold, everybody. from the most in /
consequent little woman in the official 4
encourage to the most dominant figure 4
in the city's Official and social life, met 4
on a perfectly free and equal basis. and 4
70 this fact more than any other Is the /
phenomenal success Of the club due out
side the clubhouse the members follow
up their individual preferences as to the /
cultivation Of friendships, Just as men /
and women in any club are accustomed /
10 Go. As for the list those who. from 4
time 20 time. during the past winter 4
found time TO enjoy an afternoon at the /
club. 1t reads like page from the bluest i
% blue books.
James B. Henderson, Mrs. Denby Wilkes
Mrs. Herbert Parsons. Mrs. Depew. Mrs.
Foraker, Mrs. Brodhead, Mrs Bourke
Cochran, Mrs. Swager Sherley. Miss 1
Kean, and Miss Foraker were among the
socially prominent who served as host
esses during the season. About the cozv
rooms are many evidences Of the gener-
Gus interest taken by women whose fame
as hosts is conceded on two continents
Mrs. Depew. Mrs. DENLY Wilkes. Mrs
Sherman Mrs. Perkins. Mrs Brodhead.
Mrs. Henderson, and a half score Of
others are among those who contributed
materially to the appointment Of the /
house, and Mrs. Lodge Mrs. Hale. and a
coterie OF other "old timers" whose long
residence IN Washington has turned the {
edge OF their enthusiasm a little bit. so ,
Tar from being Indifferent or antagonistie ,
went about themselves pretty consid- /
erably' 70 show their appreciation at the
inception Of the idea Later many little
unsolicited gifts and acts OF friendly in
terest demonstrated their continued good =
will.
Financial Outlook Good.
As for the financial outlook. that is
rosy enough to warrant the promoters in
considering the ultimate purchase Of the
old German house. which is at present
the clubs headquarters. Money in the
bank gives everybody a comfortable 3
sensation, no outstanding obligations
show that good management has gone z
hand in hand with good judgment, and a
constantly increasing membership is the
best refUtation of the clubs critics who 7
happily are all quite outside the clubs
membership.
AS for the president. Mrs. James Breek :
Perkins, she chances to be the woman
of the hour" In Congressional circles c
Gifted mentally beyond the average. t
shrewd. far-seeing, affable. kindly and ]
genuinely disinterested. she combined all {
the attributes necessary 70 set going har- Z
moniOusiy such a delicate and cOmplf- {
Gated mechanism as the Congressional h
contingent" q
Tact. diplomacy. insight, good nature, s
appreciation, and executive O
ability were just a few Of the traits nee 5
essary TO make the daringly original idea
take form and the fact that Mrs. Perkins q
was axle TO make success OF the under {
taking is all the encomium anybody re- e
Quires. To the last day Of the season. {
the Friday afternoon at-homes were popu- u
lous affairs and notwithstanding Mrs. a
Tafts series os garden parties also set a
for Friday afternoon. II was found nee a
essary 20 serve tea informally to satisfy
the desires OF those who did not have u
cards for the White House fetes. Mrs. L
Taft as Is well known, having discreetlv n
divided her guest list according to the u
alphabet s.
II Mrs. Oscar Straus. wife Of the newly n
appointed American Ambassador. TO T1lr- k
Key, keeps up the constant fire Of enter a
tanning she maintained while she occu-
pied the pink palace" up IN Sixteenth
street, her coming viii be heralded with F
lcclaims Of joy by the coterie Of diplo-
mats who find the city by the Bosphorus 2,
III right from the standpoint of dipIo- :
matte importance. but all wrong from the :,
standpoint Of social good times Con- =
is looked upon as the dead ~
lest dullest Of the capitals. and the q
number Of those who are willing to rally II
around the standard Of a good jolly. live Y,
Y parsonage simply includes all the men .,
" importance in the diplomatic colony. n
Where in Washington the pampered s.
5esux weigh with much particularly b,
ust which invitation they win accept. II is
my. in Constantinople the cIeverest men m