Atlanta Georgian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1912-1939, 1913-07-06
SOUTHERN SOCIETY TAKES A
Squirt IN CAPITAL; MANY
NOTABLES BECOME MEMBERS
Records Smashed by Organization
Since Claude N. Bennett
Became President.
BY HUGH 5. MILLER.

WASHINGTON, July 5--For rapid
ity OF growth and fog activity in de-
veloping the spirit OF the South At
the National Capital the Southern
Society Of Washington has set a new
record since the Democratic party
came into power.
Less than a month after the cleo
ton Of officers, which placed Claude
n. Bennett, Of Georgia in the presi-
dents chair, the society took in $50
new members from the leading South
erners in private, Congressional and
other official life They Included such
new members as Senator and Mrs,
Hoke Smith. Of Georgia Senator and
Mrs Bryan. Of Florida. Senator and
Mrs. Robinson. Of Arkansas; Senators
Swanson, Of Virginia. and Vardamen
Of Mississippi, representatives Coz
don Lee, William Schley Howard and
Hughes Of Georgia. Burnett and
Hefin. Of Alabama; Small, OF North
Carolina. and man. other Southern
Representative and their wives.
Georei ans Who Join.
Among the prominent Georgians
who have joined are Justice and Mrs.
William Bailey Lamar Paymaster
and Mrs William c. Ffte, Mr.. and
Mrs James J. hampton, Mr. and Mrs
Harry +. Cary. Mr.. and Mrs Sledge
Tatum, Colonel Neyle Colquitt. Ma
Ron c. Howard, D. l. Hartsill Miss
Minnie f. Carroll, Miss Helen II. Har
din. Colonel John T. Boifeuillet and
Mr.. and Mrs. J. 3. Lamkin. From
other Southern States there are gem
erals admirals and others OF note.
The Southern Society Is now en-
ioying a success that II never before
attained. II stands at the very top NJ
the social organizations In the Ma
tional Capital. Strangely enough
while the impetus which has made
the society what It Is came in part
from the Georgian who is its new
president. it Is TO be attributed mainly
to a lively fight which developed In
the society just previous 10 the last
election.
The Southern Society had been run
ming along for several years az quiet
Is as a meadow stream, Its first presi-
dent was Jacob NJ. Dickinson, Secre-
tary OF War IN the Taft Cabinet. He
was succeeded as president by Soma
tor Thornton. OF Louisiana, and he
in turn was followed by Representa-
tive Richmond Pearson Hobson. of
Alabama Lack Of time had made II
difficult for any OF these executives to
give the society much personal atten-
ton
Hobson Started Fight.
II was President Hobson who un-
Intentionally precipitated the fight
which eliminated in the unprecedent-
cd expansion OF the society. He pro-
posed an amendment which would ex-
pand the eligibility clause of the So
ciety so as 10 take IN people from
every section OF the country, provided
they felt an interest In the South and
the general objects Of the organiza
ton His amendment was seconded
and ably advocated by Thomas Nell
son Page. OF Virginia the author and
recent appointee OF President Wilson
as Amba ssadoT 10 Italy MIR Page
was a member OF the executive com
mittee Of the society. He and Cap
tain Hobson argued very ably and
eloquently for broadening the scope
OF the society, particularly with ref
erence to Its membership. They EN-
phasized the need Of doing away with
sectionalism and giving the society a
national character.
Some OF the members OF the society
gathered from their remarks an intl-
nation that the society amounted TO
very little and would never amount to
much so long as It was run under ex-
clusively Southern direction. How
ever justified they were in getting
this impression. the effect was electri-
cal They communicated their
thoughts TO others. and quickly the
whole society was aroused The more
II was thought about and discussed
the greater the opposition It created
The rank and file Of the society de-