The Washington herald., 1914-05-22
CORNERSTONEOF
CLUB IS PLACED
Speaker Clark Assists at
Ceremolies Of Gonsres-
sionaI Women.
SILVER TR0wEL IS USED
Rev. Henry N. couden ofsrs Prayer
at Opening Of the Exercises at New
Hampshire Avenue and U Street.

In the presence Of gathering of dis
t,nguished Washington women, win
Speaker Champ Clark as the princlpai
speaker the cornerstone OF the new ciuo-
house of the he-Congressionai Club. At New
Hampshire avenue and u street, was
formally laid yesterday afternoon
The Marine Band started the cere-
monies with a short concert and Rev.
Henry N. Couden. Chaplain OF the House.
offered a PRAYER. Mrs. Duncan U.
Fletcher, wife of the Senator from
Florida and president Of the club. then
introduced Speaker Clark, who said. In
part:
when the Congressional Club was
first proposed several years ago. opinion
In regard to 1t among Senators and
Representatives was organized into three
groups. The first was that 1t should not
be started. The second waDathat 1t would
soon run its course and die natural
death. The third was that it would
prove to be a good institution. and a
permanent one.
given the club such announcement as
have been able to give. and am glad
to participate today in these proceedings
which prove that the club Ii to be a
permanent institution. The most valuable
part of public life in Washington Is
the formation of new and priced friend
ships These last through ones lifetime.
The tenure of office, in politics, Ia un-
certain, and, of course, IL the men serve
long here the women must have served
long. 1t is. therefore. fit that you should
have a permanent home in which to
gather. Women sometimes talk politics
of course, you falkland 1t Is highly
suitable that you should have a place
tch this clubhnnSa IN he in whirh
to gather and do So"
Following Speaker. Clark's address. II
had been the intention for EACH former
president of the club, as well as the
present president. Mrs. Fletcher, to de-
liver a short address. but these were
dispensed with. Instead, these women
each placed a bit of mortar on top OF
the cornerstone. The place Of Mrs. Per-
kins, who could not be present. was
taken by Mrs John B. Henderson. Mrs.
Perkins, who is the wife of Senator
George C. Perkins, Of California, was
the first president of the club. Mrs. Hen
derson. who Is the widow Of Senator
John B. Henderson, OF Missouri, and
who donated the site for the club. was
warmly praised for her generosity by
SpeakersClark, who also lauded the men,
ory Of her dead husband.
Mrs. A. W. Gregg, wife Of Representa-
tive Gregg, of Texas, the second presi-
dent of the club, then added her bit of
mortar, and was followed in a similar
task by Mrs. Ernest W. Roberts. wife of
Representative Roberts. of Massachu-
setts, the third president and Mrs.
Fletcher. the present president silver
trowel. designed under the supervision OF
Mrs. Thomas P. Gore, wife of the Sen
ator from Oklahoma. was used. and will
be suitably engraved and preserved by
the club Mrs John E. Raker, Of Cali
fornia, wife of Representative Raker. had
charge Of preparing the box placed in the
cornerstone.
In addition TO Mrs. Fletcher, the other
officers of the club are as follows: Vice
presidents, Mrs. Frank H. Briggs, Mrs.
Thomas P Gore, Mrs. renry Allen
Cooper, Mrs. James T. Lloyd. and Mrs.
Lemuel P. Padgett: recording secretary.
Mrs. Horace NJ. Towner; corresponding
secretary, Mrs. John E. Raker; treasurer,
Mrs. Fred bennett.