Evening star., 1913-12-07

He is also a member OF the National
Press Club, having Joined some years
back. In his capacity as New jersey
author.
The University Club of the capital is q
comparatively young institution. having
been founded only about ten years aeo.
illiam Howard Taft was its first pres
dent Its object is to unite university
men and college graduates for the pro
motion of science literature ana ART
Theodore Roosevelt. Admiral Dewey,
William jennings Bryan. former Secre-
tary George r. CorteIyou, Champ Clark
and Charles w. Eliot. formerly of Har-
ward, are among its prominent members.
A special clause in its constitution pro-
vides that honorary membership be ex-
tended 10 the Pres dent Of the United
States. the Vice President, the members
OF the cabinet. the Speaker OF the House
OF Representatives. the justices OF the
Supreme Court. the chief OF stan Of
the army and navy and the Librarian or
Congress. Also the presidents OF all
universities and colleges of equal grade
are included.
The home of this club IS a handsome
building OF early Italian renaissance
architecture. II was erected at a cost or
S325. 600 and. unlike many clubs OF to-
day. IL includes a ladies' dining room and
reception room in its equipment. II has
carved on panels between the large win
dows OF the second story. while the names
Of colleges and universities adorn an eS-
terror frieze.
The interior assembly room and alum
nj room are paneled in chestnut. and a
beautiful mural painting REPRESENTING
Greek learning occupies almost the en-
tire wall space ut one end OF tne nlalI
lounge. The clubhouse is distinguished
as one Of the most handsomely appointeu
institutions In the country.
The Cosmos Club is worthy OF interest
from another angle. Organized IN isfs
II has grown in prestige until II now oc-
cupies an enviable place among ciuos o'
similar object. II IS one OF the Few. out-
side az university organizations. which
restrict their membership to men or Ger
tain distinction in education. It's pur-
pose is TO cultivate interest IN literature
the arts and sciences
The building occupied by the Cosmos
Club has figured prominently in the an
nails OF early American history Mrs.
.sDolly'' Madison lived in il from 1887 to
1s4a and Cen George 3. Mcclellan oc-
eupied IL as his quarters in 1861, after
the battle of Bull run.
The President is its list of active
members His name was proposed o.
~
canacity. The constitution OF this cluo
Includes no bylaw whereby the Presi-
dent of the United States Is extended hon
orary membership. So Mr.. Wilson Is
member entirely on his personal merits.
The Cosmos Club entertains manv
nrominent distinguished visitors to th-
city Privileges are extended TO foreign
ambassadors and ministers during the
period of their residence in Washington.
and also to strangers of distinction in
science, literature. the fine arts. the
learned professions or in the public
service
Mr. Wilson joined the National Press
Club a year before he was nominated az
President of the United States He was
proposed for membership by Thomas Mel
son Page, and was listed an author OF
Trenton. y. ]. Mr.. Page then merely a
brother author is now ambassador 70
Rome The President is still a dues-pay
ing member of the National Press Club,
as are the three editor members of hi
cabinet. JoSephus Daniels. Franklin Lane
:, and William Jennings Bryan
The National Press Club is about six
years old. and is one of the permanent
institutions of the capital. typical in its
membership of the cosmopolitan charac-
. ter of Washington's population. Its men,
bership includes newspaper correspond.
ents. writer's. editors and authors from
all over the country. and even abroad.
II is the only club in the city-perhaps in
the coPntry-having no honorary men,
bers. Its guests have included. besides
President Wilson, ex-Presidents Taft anG
Roosevelt. II. R H. the Duke of Con-
naught, H. r. III. the Prince of Monaco.
Count Togo, famous ambassadors, ex-
plorers editors, actors and statesmen
from all over the world. 1t is the only
press club in the country to which the
President belongs.
He is one of seven Presidents who have
been members of the American Philosoph-
ical Society. Washington. Adams JET
ferson, Madison, the second Adams Bu-
chanan and Grant all had their names
upon its roll before the popular vote had
inscribed them on the list of Presidents.
OF course, there are countless less inn
portant organizations all over the coun-
try which make the President of the
United States their honorary president
as soon as he comes into his office. This
is a Mere formaiity, and in ninety cases
out of a hundred he doubtless never
hears of all of these honors bestowed
upon him. They do not come in the con-
sideration OF his personal clubs. The
number of these is small, owing to his
peculiar tastes and the stress of present
affairs.
President Wilson contempates no op-
portcltty for a change in his attitude to-
ward clubs. If there ever comes the time
when he will not know what TO dc with
himself to keep occupied. then maybe tie
will learn to lounge, and even perhaps TO
smoke. that he may frequent his clubs
with the apathy of the typical metropoIi-
tan clubman.