The Washington times., 1922-12-03

Washington is certainly on
the road to become a great
winter capital. Rich people
from other cities are coming in
great numbers each year to
spend at least part of each
winter here. And there is so
much to attract them. Not
only is this an unusually beau
tiful city, the seat of the gov
srnment of the greatest nation
on earth, but because practic-
ally everyone of Importance
from every corner Of the globe
comes here sooner or later.
Society in Washington is unique
In many ways. In the first place
It is easy to break into the most
Exclusive" circles If one has
money enough and entertains
enough: much easier than in most
cities. Then, Of course. the diplo-
matte corps is here and in every
capital society pivots around the
diplomats. But most of the other
capitals furnish better facilities
for winter residents than we do.
We need more handsome homes,
which residents of other cities
could lease for the winter season,
and II Washington did have such
residences 1t would soon be a more
brilliant city In a social way. We
need at least fifty fine homes
available for leasing" to have a
regular season" as London does.
for example.
MANY of the most active par
ticipants in London's season,
for example. live on country es-
tates, but go into London, rent
fine homes there and help in max
ing the social season truly bril-.
liant. We have many fine homes
here but the owners occupy them
themselves usually or else close
them up. So people from Chicago,
Boston. San Francisco, New Or
leans, Cleveland and other places
can't find any place here to live
suitable for entertaining IL they
want to come.
Some come any way. however,
witness the Cornelius Vanderbilts
who spent most of last winter in
Washington. 1 think 1t is gener-
ally conceded that Gen. and Mrs.
Cornelius Vanderbilt are leaders
Of the very smartest set in New
York. They always entertain the
real notables that come to this
part Of the country-I recall they
gave a party for the Prince of
Wales, for Lord and Lady Mount.
batten and several others Of equal
Importance. And yet they spent
much Of last winter here, as did
also the Generals mother, MRS.
Vanderbilt" who had an apart.
ment at 1915 Sixteenth street,
which the young Cornelius Wander
bilts are occupying now. Gen.
and Mrs. Vanderbilt have been
here q good bit already this sea-
son, stopping out at Wardman
Park Hotel, and 1 will be sur
prised II they are not back shortly.
Many Of our largest houses here
are occupied by people who really
claim some other city for home.
but who built houses here 80 that
they would have them when they
wanted them. There's the big
Edison Bradley mansion. for ex-
ample. on Dupont Circle, which is
TO be soon torn down to make
room for an office building. The
Bradleys bought that house and
rcmodeled II. spending all sorts of
money on 1t and even building a
private theater. but were seldom
IN It. They spent most Of the time
in New York or Newport or Flori-
ida or some other place. But they
usually came here part of each
season and entertained some at
their mansion.
The Larz Andersons have a mag.
nfficent house here. but they also
are seldom In Il; preferably hold"
their home In Brookline, Mass,
for most of each year. The city is
full Of such houses and such peo-
pie. Washington certainly is be.
coming more brilliant every season
and has a great future. believe.
nR. NICHOLAS MURRAY
BUTLER, President Of Colum.