The Washington times., 1917-12-14
OFFICERS
ORGANIZE CLUB IN
OLD BLAINE HOME

President, Maj Gen. John Biddle.
acting chief OF staT, L. S. Advice
presidents. Lieut.. Comdr. s. r. Fuller.
: L. S. N: Maj. Richard c. Marshall and
Maj. l. c. Heckner; secretary, Capt
Thomas II. Messer: treasurer. Capt.
1 Benjamin Harrison. Namm. Namm is
Experienced in business and finance.
Board OF governors: Chairman, Ad-
miral Samuel McGowan: Lieut.. l. c.
lrion; Capt. l.. II. Ellison; Maj. w. c.
Whitson: Capt. Winthrop McCane:
Major Roy d. Adams, Major w. Bev-
an, Lieut.. +. L. Run, Major Edward
+ StOckdale, Major T. Carlton Henry,
! Major y. Atwood. Major n. Monroe
Hopkins, Lieut.. \. Robert Elmore,
Major r. S. A. Dougherty, Lieut.
Lewis =. Clephane.
The United Service Club has the
good wishes OF Secretary Baker, Mrs
Baker, Miss Mabel Boardmsn, Larz
; Anderson and several others OF promI
nence and influence. Secretary Baker
has given the club an official in.
dorsement as a home for officers in
Washington and those passing
through the. city. Those who have
already made 1t their home have
found the ew clubhouse fitted with
priceless furniture and appointments,
many rare and wonderful rugs, a
: splendid library of historic value and
the most comfortable Of furniture.
Admiral MeGouan Organizer.
At the first meeting. held a few
days ago. Admiral MCGOWAN, who has
been a foremost organizer. announced
the birth OF the club in this character
istic manner:
Without anything personal. with
out anything except in the army and
navy spirit OF 1T cannot be done. but
here IL is this club has been organ
lied"
After that, a nominating commit
tee was organized. which has result
ed in the present officers and COVER
| nors. The nominating committee was
composed OF Lieut. Comdr. s. r. Full
er, Major John r. Simpson. Lieut.. J.
=. Connor. ST., Major Howard z. As
bury. Lieut.. z. c. Irion, Major Evans
Shelby. Admiral Samuel MCGOWAN,
Lieutenant Commander Sandoz. Major
Junkersfield. Major General Biddle
was elected temporary president and
Capt. 3. II. Namm temporary treas
urer because OF their expefince in
finance and business, and Capt. T. II.
messer, secretary, because he was the
man who played so great q part in
the organization.
Rank Suspended in Club.
Lieut.. Edwin C. Irion presided as
temporary chairman at the meeting
last night until the election Of the
officers. In turning over the chair
to the president, Lieutenant Irion
said:
We feel We are here on a serious
business pertaining to the service.
We are going to do the work we ac-
cepted TO do and do IL as men-red-
I blooded men, two-hsted men-so that
the world may be made safe for de-
mocracy. In turning over the chair
, and the organization to the officers Sc
| lected, do SO with profound gratihca-
/ ton. It IL seldom a lieutenant can
stand before his supsriors and con-
duct q meeting to go successful an
end az this meeting and this oTganiza-
ton have been conducted
Lieutenant Irion then reminded the
members that within the club all idea
Of rank would be dropped, and that
members would meet one another on
the same footing.
Foreign Ofaeer Welcome.
, All foreign officers OF all Of our
allies are welcomed in the club at all
times with no other recognition than
the uniform they wear. At the meet
ing last night 800 officers represent
ing the various branches met inform
ally. without regard to rank, "all in
the interest OF their commRnder-In-
chief" They spent much OF the even
ing inspecting their new club, after
which they perfected their orEaniza-
tion- The charter membership has
grown in one week from seventy-six
to 200. At the meeting last night the
report OF the committee on bylaws
was deferred to the next meeting. The
new board of governors VIII meet to-
night to take up the formation OF the
necessary club committees.
A circular outlining the scope of
the United Service Club has been laid
before practically every officer In
Washington and in the neighboring
cantonments.