The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1910-08-07
by ROBERT d. HEINL,


iltcilllLrl IuIn Leslie weekly
Every little while the Washington date
line is identified with the doings Of a
comparatively new and unique organiza-
ton. the National Press Club. II has be-
come a rendezvous for men OF public life.
After a trile more than two years Of
existence. the club is recognized as a
sort OF newspaper salon. IN the best sense
OF that term. II is not strait-laced,
neither is il Bohemian. The organization
is conducted on sane and sensible lines
and comprises a center for newspaper
workers and for those men who shape
the intellectual activities OF the continent
The President occasionally drops in. One
afternoon. following a long walk into the
country. Mr.. Taft came in rough attire
which Presidents affect when they tramp
into Maryland or Virginia for exercise
and forgetfulness Of Office cares. Speaker
Cannon. Champ Clark. DR.. Harvey W
Wiley. and clifford PinchOt were among
the speakers one night when each man
I0ld Of his hobby. Cabinet officials come
with tOlerable frequency. Secretaries
Meyer. Ballinger. and MacVeagh have
enjoyed the hospitality Of the club. Post
limited list OF associate members. Gov
Harmon, OF Ohio, IS always seen at the
club when he comes 70 the capital He
and Gov. Hadley. OF Missouri. were guests
at a governors night" during the winter
Ambassador Bryce is a most welcome
caller. He helped start the club on its
career. Oscar S. Straus, Ambassador TO.
Turkey and Baron Kogora Takahira,
former Ambassador from Japan. are
among the diplomats who have graced
informal gatherings there. DR.. Cook was
introduced 20 the newspaper men Of
Washington there not long after he had
been rendered the freedom Of New York
City. The explorer graciously signed a
north pole cartoon at the club. which
hangs with the most valuable collection
Of originals" in tits country. Com
mander Peary came at a subsequent date.
as did Sir Ernest Shackleton who made
one OF the most interesting talks heard
within the clubs walls. Col Henry
Watterson makes a tete-s.-tete with the
members a feature Of his annual visit 20
the Federal City.
Washington, as the home Of more than
400 writer's who make the local daIlies
and man the resident bureaus Of Aneri-
can and European newspapers. was long
without a press club. It houses more
newspaper writers Of fame, probably.
than any other city. but the press club
idea was long in taking root The Grid
iron Club, most famous OF dining clubs.
now in the very emilence Of its success.
grew up in that community The latter
club. however. is restricted in its men,
bership, has no clubhouse. and dimes but
twice or thrice a year. AS will be read
lily understood, the National Press Club
occupies altogether different field. II
Is in no sense a rival of the Gridiron.
The Gridiron men belong 10 the Press
Club, and are among those who have CO.
operated 10 establish it upon high
standards.
The membership OF the newer club is
comprehensive. There are no active mem
bers who are not bona-fide active news
paper men. Any newspaper worker Of
good character, whether he be reporter,
editor, or correspondent, living in WASH
ington, is eligible. Virtually all Of them
are on the clubs roster. These men gov
ern the club through a board on gov
ernors. They are the only men who have
a vote or direct voice in the clubs az
fairs. They make a list which represents
quite two hundred weekly and daily pub
locations. in a locality extending from
London. Paris. and Berlin. in the Occi-
dent. TO Toxic and Manila, in the Orient.
In the business management Of the in
stitution these newspaper workers have
scored a distinct success. The club has
been put on good financial basis, is
practically without debt, and while its
men are In the main men Of moderate
means. necessitating initiation fees and
dues of moderate proportions. the club
is actually conducted az q profit
There has never been a benefit or an
appeal OF any character whatsoever to
the outside world for support. 1t is the
fixed purpose Of the management that
there shall not be.
The considerable cOterie Of hangers on