San Antonio light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1911-1993, 1923-09-24
Lure Of Capital Proves Too
Great for Widow Of Late
President to Resist
New Quarters Overlook
Residence Of Mr.. and
Mrs. Woodrow Wilson.
By CAROLYN VANCE.

NNoSudtSsVhs ~ ~, SNPss
lure of Washington has proved too
much for Mrs. Florence King Hard
ing.
Washington is vampire city.
Like many others who have once
tasted of the joys Of life in this beau
tiful capital, Mrs. Harding has list
ened to the call.
Homefolks look sorrowfully upon
those who are caught in the tolls of
the siren.
But if Marion is disconsolate, it is
only suffering the pangs of other small
towns which have proudly sent repre-
sentatiyes here only TO have them
ungratefully turn their backs upon
them, when the terms of office have
ended.
Washington, the vampire, thus feeds
upon the best blood of the country and
goodly proportion of her population
Is composed of former office holders
and their families.
Strangely enough the apartment
which Mrs. Harding has selected to
live in this winter. directly over
looks the home of Woodrow Wilson,
another victim of the capitals fascin-
alton.
Life now in Washington for the
widow of Warren Harding and the
broken man, Woodrow Wilson, must
mean similar things.
Both can look back upon their zen
it'll of joy and success that they reach
ed and to the nadir of despair and
Illustration they have plumbed in this
fateful city.
Unable to free themselves, they re-
main here as mere onlookers of the
drama being played by their success
sors.
Can See Wilson Home.
From the window of one of the bed
rooms Of the Harding apartment, one
looks down into the small garden back
of the Wilson home.
An effort has been made to screen
the garden from view by growing tai!
poplars and cedars around the edge.
This has been successful so far as
the other surrounding apartments and
houses are concerned, but Mrs. Hard
ing's room looks over the trees.
Daily Mr.. Wilson is helped on the
little balcony with an iron raining
which overlooks his garden and he
can plainly be seee from the Harding
windows.
Hurried remodeling is taking place
in the eleven rooms and three baths
apartment.
Mrs. Harding awaits the finishing
at White Oaks farm near Marion.
where she is the guest of the Saw
yers.
1t is really magnificent apart
ment near Sheridan Circle. the dis
trict where discriminating million
aires have built palatial residences.
Wendell Mansions is the name of
this exclusive apartment and the adj
dress is 1889 Massachusetts, avenue.
1t is angular-shaped building.
at the intersection OF two streets with
the avenue.
The angle is rounded off.
Conforming with this triangular
,shape, the drawing room. music room
and dining room open out from the
entrance hall into huge fan-shape.
Situated on high ground. the apart
ment overlooks most Of the capital.
The tall shaft of the Washington
monument dominates the cleaning
White marble buildings with the placid
Potomac and the peaceful hills of Vir-
ginia in the background.
The view itself, 10 one with an
artistic eye would be worth the $3.50
monthly which Mrs. Harding will pay
the landloRl.
Pays "Modcst" Rent.
This is, indeed, modest sum. COM
sidering the location of the apart
ncnt and its size.
A similar apartment in New York
probably would rent for thousands of
dollars month.
The rooms are huge and we'll adapt
cd for entertaining.
This fact brings on speculation as
70 whether Mrs. Harding will have
much company this winter.
Of course. entertaining must he OF
IN informal nature for Mrs. Hard
ing will be in mourning.
But the rooms are being deliberately
remodeled and brand new fixtures arc
being installed.
Mrs. Harding has betrayed nref-
orence for the cool grays and blues
for the walls of the apartment that
suit her so we'll in her gowns.
There are fireplaces in tho drawing
room and dining room and in several
Z OF the bed rooms.
Five bed rooms there are and Wash
ington is wondering who Mrs. Hard
ing plans to have live with her. #
ANYBODY.
Mrs. Harding has a gift for enter
tanning people in her own home. and
the prediction is that her apartment
will be the mecca for society and may
outshine the White House itself.
Mrs. Harding's large and intimate
acquaintance with public men and
her flair for politics will enable her
to conduct a political salon Of note.
riyaling those Of Mrs. Nicholas Long
worth. Mrs. Medill Mccormick and
Mrs. Borden Hartman.