The Washington herald., 1909-05-11

II lle most Warmly contested meeting
the Cosmos Club has held in years. fnal
steps were taken last night 20 insure the
speedy erection Of The new home decided
upon al a meeting on April 12. The last
defense Of the opposition. representing
the anuprogressive element Of the mem
bership. was beaten down. and in spite
Of amendments offered in rapid succession
tending 10 cloud the issue. a vote vas
finally put through raising the annual
dues from s. 10 So
Plans FOR the new structure. which wiH
occupy the two lots south Of the present
clubhouse. at 23 and . Madison place
northwest, are already being drawn Up
b the architect T. j. u. Fuller. He is
making rapid progress with The drawings.
and It is expected bids VIII be called for
about July Is
LeESehOIder Notified.
Notice has been served on Miss Mary
+ B5ke-. who for years has conducted
fashionable dresS-laking establishment
at 3 Madison place. Just south Of the
club. that her lease VII not be continued
through the coming fiscal year. She has
5een instructed 20 vacate Immediately
after that date Unless an unexpecred
delay occurs IN the work OF the archi-
tect o. il the raising Of the necessary
Sl9c9oo. the members Of The cIgb look
% see men az work tearing down the old
structure as soon as Miss Baker moves
Out
The situation at the call 10 order last
night was both definite znd indefinite
Il had been finally decided al the meeting
OF April p 20 build a new home. rather
taen remodel the old property. Il money
could be raised % do IL The question
1f The collection - tze necessary funds
was placed in the hands Of the board n
management, who were 10 report AZ the
meeting last night in anticipation az
5n issue over the Increasing Of the dves
2 ia-ge attendance vas on hand. lined
lE emqhatically OF one side or the other
cs the fence
accordingly. when the matter Of dues
vas brought up 2 parliamentary struggle
ensued The younger. or progressive eIe-
-lenI backed by the previous decision OF
the club 10 build. contended thar the
ia-S-ng of The dues was necessary 20 the
collection OF money. 20 defray expenses.
Annual Dues Increased.
The opposition Immediately Injected a
number Of amendments designed 10
change or vitiate the main issue. The
amendments and cries for the floor came
n such rapid succession that for mo-
menr small stampede ensued. and yot-
Ing vas done, more Of less. at random.
When the smoke cleared. the progres-
sives had won. and the annual due. had
gone Up from 50 10 50 This change stu
leaves the dues OF me Cosmos Club con
siderably lower than those Of the Metro
politan Club, but the increase viii be q
potent factor In the campaigning TO raise
the building fund.
Other matters were brought IN in re-
gard 10 the arrangement Of the new
quarters. such as the proposed installa- /
ton Of ladies' dining-room. : commit /
tee TO consider these subordinate cues
lions vas appointed. including in its 4
membership the president Of the club. 4
DR. Howard. the secretary. Herbert Put 4
nam. librarian Of Congress: A. :
WoTthington. and Justice Anderson. OF I
the District Supreme Court
a strong sentiment il favor OF retain /
Ing the building al II street and Madison /
place. now occupied by the Office. read /
Ing. dining. and lecture rooms. has pre- |
vailed throughout the discussion. L was
t5c first property acquired by the Cosmos !
Club, in 1881 and Is Of historic interest. !
through the fact that IT is the old Dolly ]
Madison house. Mrs Dolly PAYNE Afadi- /
son lived III il during the years
of her reign 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 club the exterior was I
changed hy giving Il a pebble-dssh. which 4
o has to-day.
The Adjoining Property.
In 1890 the purchase OF the adjoining I
property in Madison place was made /
followed in 1908 and 1908. respectively. bv
the purchase Of the Two adjoining lots 10 (:
The south, extending the holdings Of the
club 70 the northern boundary lire Of the
Don Cameron property.
The plan Of the club IS 10 relezate the
Dolly Madison house 10 a s1,bor5inara
position, and 10 make the new structure
Tie center Of activity II is understood
elaborate plans are CONTEMPLATED en-
oodyina lhe latest and most artistic ideas
n club architectures