The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1915-10-19

In the acceptance by President Wilson
of SHADOW Lawn" as a summer home
for himself and his bride those who know
the Jersey coast look for something more
than the location of the summer capital
at Elberon. They look for a revival OF
the old days when Long Branch was
Long Branch and the rival OF Newport
as a social center, with a gayety that the
Rhode Island resort never knew.
In Shadow Lawn" there has been
tragedy, for Il was the conception OF
John A. Mccall. the poor Albany boy who
became a power in the insurance world
at the height of his affluence and power.
only to lose II in the days that followed
the Insurance scandal Mccall built II
when Elberon and Long Branch were at
the peak Of their glories. Upon II he Law
ished money. but he never got from II
fraction OF the pleasure he thought the
sl.oOoooo It cost him would bring. The
show place is a district devoted to show
places; 1t passed from his hands when
the insurance scandal broke and for sew
eral seasons lay idle. an item of expense
to those who owned II and a reminder to
others of what might have been.
It was in 1902 that Mccall, then presi-
dent OF the New York Life Insurance
Company, completed Shadow Lawn"
Four years later he was forced TO part
with II, the price mentioned at the time
being only $4,000. It was then planned
to use the mansion house as a club and
divide the spacious grounds into bunga-
low sites. but Myron II. Oppenheim. who
took the property over for that purpose.
could not put his scheme through. Then
II passed TO the bands Of Abraham White.
who gained fame and wealth on 2 cents
invested in a stamp by subscribing to
millions OF government bonds at a price
that induced bankers to take his alot-
ment of his hands at a big profit.
White paid even less than Oppenheim-
$500. 900 was the cost to him, but he could
not swing II. and two years later Joseph
B. Greenhut took Il over. That was IN
lgCa. Since then Capt Greenhut has used
the place. but he. too. has had his hnan-
cial reverses. and this year. when II was
known that the place was again likely
to be closed for the summer, a group o.
prominent property holders launched the
movement to tender its use TO the eresl-
dent.
Many Rooms mt "Shadow Lawn"
In the White House by the sea. as
Shadow Lawn" will now be known. the
President and his bride will find plenty
Of room. When Mccall built economy OF
space or money was the last thing
thought of. and the result was suite after
suite. each one seemingly larger than
the other To run II at least a score
OF house ser yants will be necessary
while as many more are needed TO keep
the fifty acres Of lawn and shrubs in
order, not to mention the work necessary
in the garage big enough TO accommodate
a score Of cars. Indeed. the garage build
ing itself is larger than the so-called
cottages of many weli-known New York
residents in that part of New Jersey In
the summer months.
Surrounded by fifty acres of lawns ana
nearly thirty other acres under cultiva-
ton or improved as a wooded park. tie
house itself Is not easily accessible from
the outside world. Broad drives wind out
to Norwood and Cedar avenues. which
bound the property on the east and
south. and a box hedge running along the
entire place discourages the over