Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-02-27
WILSON BARS CLUB
Declines to Be an Honorary
Member at Chevy Chase.
ACTION CAUSES SURPRISE
President Elect "to Give All His
Time to Public Business
shall Accepts.
ACTION CAUSES SURPRISE

President-elect Wilson has declined to
accept position as honorary member Of
the Chevy Chase Club. which VIII be open
10 him by reason of the fact that he will
be the President of the United States.
The news of his action has caused no
little establishment in club circles IN
Washington. and il is felt that he has
misunderstood the invitation which was
extended to him under section IL of the
constitution of the club, which provides
that the board of governors may admit
by invitation as honorary members of the
club the President and Vice President of
the United States, the persons who have
held those offices. such distinguished visi-
tors and such masters of the hounds of
other hunting clubs as it may deem
proper
The only honorary members of the club
are President Taft, former President
Roosevelt and William Austin Wads-
worth. master of the hounds of the Cen
csee Hunt. Vice President Sherman was
an honorary member. Vice President
elect Marshall accepted the invitation of
the club.
To Devote Time to Public.
In declining to join the little group
composed of President Taft former Presi-
dent Roosevelt and Mr. Wadsworth, Gov
Wilson has informed the officers Of the
club that he expects to give all his time
in Washington to public business
Speaking a member of the board of
governors. and az the last former presi-
dent of the Chevy Chase Club, Gist Blair
today said to a Star reporter that he
feels sure that Gov. Wilson has misun-
derstood the purposes and character of
the club. as well as the hospitable in
tentions of it's officers In CARRYING out
the provision of the constitution of the
club which instructs the board to in
Nite Presidents of the United States to
become honorary members
the Chevy Chase Club is not an aristo-
cratic, exclusive club. in any sense of
the phrase We welcome people to Wash
tngton, in the hope of making them happy
here, and in the hope of giving them a
chance to get out into the country to
get some exercise and fresh air in pleas
ant surroundings. Great Institutions like
the Chevy Chase Club are devices and
means for aiding the development Of
Washington. by bringing people into close
contact with each other i'm moments Of
ease. We develop Washington. in some
sense, every time we bring the stranger
within our gates at the club.
Thinks He Will Change Mind.
CAS- member of the board of governors
l wanted to extend this courtesy of hon.
orary membership to the President elect,
as the first citizen in the land. / am sure
that when he understands our point of
view and that we are voluntarily opening
our doors to him to honor him. he will be
reciprocal in his attitude. as he is a very
charming gentleman in every way. He
has misunderstood the purposes OF the
club and the purpose Of the invitation to
him. that is all"
There is talk today of calling a meeting
of the board of the club for the purpose
of discussing the letter of the President
elect and the possibility of making a pub
lie statement in regard to It,
The bylaws of the University Club in
regard to making the President of the
United States honorary member are
similar to those of the Chevy Chase Club
No action has been taken by the Metro
politan Club in regard TO the possibility
of inviting the President ELECT to become
an honorary member.
AS an author. Gov. Wilson is an honor
AIRY member of the National Press Club,
distinction also shared by William Jen-
nings Bryan. III he joins none of the
clubs for the reason given the Chevy
Chase Club. that he desires to devote all
his time 10 public business the only club
in Washinton Of which he will be men,
Der will be the National Press Club