Evening star., 1922-11-19

gifts into government publications.
Washington has never had a large
writer's guild, but from time to time
there have been concerted efforts to
corral the literary people into organiza-
tons or clubs with gratifying and bene-
cial rebults.
From a few Of the members Of such
organizations who keep their mental
fingers upon the pulse Of the creative as
well as the reading public. the writer
sought Information concerning the ad-
vancement of Washington as lit
erary center through these channels.
George Franklin Bowerman, librarian
Of the Public Library, the best informed
man upon such matters, attacked the
subject with a broadside Of his excep-
his experience, and gave a version OF
his appreciation and understanding Of
the literary development in this city.
that would thrill every native with civic
pride.
Mr.. Bowertnan declared that in the
eighteen years Of his residence here he
had been intensely interested in watch
ing Washington change from a wholly
political capital to a diplomatic capital,
social capital, scientific capital. COM
mercial capital, and now it has become
a cultural capital.
ut is now the center Of the cultural
thought Of the country" said Mr.. Bow
erman. land each year sees an increase
In the number of both the wealthy
leisure class and the educated middle
class establishing residences here with
the idea Of spending the twilight Of life
in the enjoyment Of the opportunities
in which Washington now abounds.
1T offers the student of the
sciences unlimited facilities for re-
search and the same is true of the
student of literature and the arts.
There is a constantly increasing
number of talented people Of great
culture making use of the libraries
Of the city. And as further proof
of washington's literary growth, one
has but to note the imposing list Of
educational organizations establish
ing national headquarters here. all
Of which contribute in no small de-
gree to the literary atmosphere.
I'VE find among these the National
Education Association, the Carnegie
Institution, Institute for Government
Research. American Federation Of
Art, National Geographic Society,
National Academy Of Sciences. Science
Service, teh Archaeological Society and
the washington Literary Society.
"Furthermore. the government
bureaus Of research and investigation,
with all Of their publications. as well
as the farm periodicals.. are drawing
to the city a host Of nen and women
of an unusually high type OF educa-
tion and experience"
+ ~
MISS NATALIE SUMNER LINCOLN,
NA editor Of the magazine Of the
D. A. r. and writer OF clever mystery
stories, is proudly hailed as a native
She insists that Wash
inEton is the most cosmopolitan city
in the land and has more distinguish
ed people living or visiting here than
any other. She said:
beginning with the Roosevelt ad-
which witnessed more
literary visitors than any
previous period, the literary tone OF
the city has been steadily improving.
John oliver La Gorce Of the Ma
tional Geographic Society. who still
clinEs to the title Of newspaper man
and frankly says he prizes it more
than that of editor or journalist ex-
presses the belief that many writer's
considered Washington sort OF pur-
Ratory for literary celebrities MI
grating between heaven and the other
place in search of inspiration.
"They come" he said, "tarry, gather
all Of the material and ideas they
want and nit away again. There are
a few outstanding figures. residents
of whom all Washington may be
proud. There are, of course. many
others who stay only part Of the time
with US. However, with all of the
scientific institutions of all kinds
locating their headquarters acre.
washington is pretty sure to be all
that could be desired from the point
of culture. AS to the increase in
creative work and the possibilities
of this becoming a publication center
also, that is for the future to decide"
Mrs. Randolph Hopkins, the acting
president of the National Woman
Press Association since Mrs. Lock-
woods illness. was asked about the
efforts of her organization toward
the establishment Of a center of liter
ary interest, where real benefit should
accrue to the members in their va
rious fields.
Women with a vision saw Wash
ington rs q literary center" said Mrs.
Hopkins, ':as long ago as 1882. when
q group of pioneer woman editors.
magazine mad newspaper writer's and
reviewers organized an organization
for mutual benefit-or, as the origi-
nal constitution states. to advance
and encourage women in literary
work. This association was called
tho woman's National Press Associa-
tion, and became the oldest organi-
zation Of its kind in the world.
"Under the leadership Of such wom-
en- as Mrs. Emily Edison Briggs. who,
as Olivia. was the first woman grant
ed admission to the reporters gallery
Of tho United States Senate; Mrs.
Martha D. Lincoln. the Bessie Beach
Of much prose and poetry published
in her day; Mrs. Mary Smith Lock-
wood, author and editor. beloved as
the mother Of the Federated Clubs
and founder of the Daughters Of the
American Revolution; Mrs. Mary 8.
Gist. War correspondant during the