The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1910-08-07
THE NATIONAL PRESS CLUB
Peep Behind the Doors of an Institution UNIQUE
Among Writers.

TO be found in every large city. anxious
for afhiiation in some way with "Jhe
press Is conspicuous in the National
Press Club by its absence The associate
members in large part are former news
paper men. these Senators and Represen-
tatives in Congress who own newspapers.
or once earned their living in the bust
ness. and a few Federal officials who
come within the prescribed qualification.
Applications for associate membership are
carefully culled and the list is not al
lowed 10 be completely hlled by elections.
The nonresident members are a feature
or the club and contribute 10 its national
character. II comprises a considerable
number OF men who make an occasional
journey 20 Washington, especially in the
winter season. These visitors. ike the
associate members. enjoy all the club
privileges except the right to vote. They
add materially 10 the cosmopolitan news
paper atmosphere. Among the associates
and non-residents are such men as Charles
d. Norton. Senator William Alden smith
who himself owns a newspaper, and who
started life as a newsboy: Finley Peter
Dunno, Homer Davenport. Alfred Henry
Lewis, William Allen White, and MANY
others equally prominent.
The equipment. extending over several
floors. comprises the standard couveD-
fences Of modern clubs The assembly
room is much commended as being ar
ustically furnished The chief decora-
tons Of the lower portion OF the walls
are the front page matrices Of news
papers in the leading cities, put up as
dadoes and done in becoming colors.
The billiard and pool room Is adorned
with scores OF original cartoons gathered
from many quarters. These include some
raro pieces. One Of them is the Berry
man cartoon from which the first Teddy
bear came. There is a comfortable IL
brary and reading room. 1t is adorned
with portraits OF great American editors.
The bookshelves carry the beginning OF
a good reference library. The collection
OF etchings and paintings. contributed
by members OF the club. is noteworthy
There IS a battery Of typewriters for
correspondents who desire TO get out
bulletins while waiting for dinner to be
served.
A guest committee OF representative
correspondents looks after visitors Of
prominence who are invited 70 the club.
Any man with a new idea, any one who
Is standing forth in an Intellectual role.
be he author. politician. or quickener OF
the public conscience, Is welcome inside
the club portals The members viii
spare a few minutes from any busy dav
TO turn out and greet him. The clubs
invitation TO such men is not declined
There are entertainments during the
cooler months. These are clean and
vivacious, never riotOus- TIE stunts
could hardly be duplicated any other
place. Associate Member Nick Long
worth sometimes brings his violin. AS
ISOLATE Member Richard Bartholdt stops
at his game OF billiards, conducted in a
Volapuk conversation, long enough to
accompany Mr.. Longworth on the piano
Both these Congressman are excellent
musicians.
The chaps who clutter up your morn
ing paper with long Washington dis
patches must be an influential lot say
you, to have the big performers on the
WVElu stage dl lleL DECK ana Cdll anu
applying for membership in their social
organization 1t may be so. None OF
the correspondents shows that he real
lies it. Public men yearn TO strike the
publicity current. The newspaper men
desire TO make friends. The National
Press Club appears to have furnished
wonderful clearing house in these re-
spects. where relaxation and sociabiiity
relieve the unceaslng workaday grind.