Evening star., 1924-12-17
PLAN CLUB HOUSE
ON HAfPROPERTY
Republicans Seek Permanent
National Home to Cost
$1,000, 900.

Revival of a plan to erect a large
building at the northwest corner OF
18th and II streets. where now stands
the old home of the late Secretary OF
State John Hay, to house the ma
tionai Republican Club, became known
today.
Already a club to be known as the
National Republican Club has been
incorporated and the tncorporators
have obtained an agreement from
Harry Wardman, who purchased the
Hay property several months ago
from Mrs. James Wadsworth, wife OF
the Senator from New York, and
daughter OF the late Secretary of
State, to give them an option until
the middle OF next June to raise suf-
| ficient funds to take over his deed to
the property.
Mr. wardman, himself an active
Republican, and one OF the officers of
the Coolidge and Dawes Club Of this
city, Is enthusiastic over the propo-
sition. He said today that he would
be glad to abandon his Idea Of erect
ing a large apartment hotel on this
site as was his original intention. in
favor of the building of a clubhouse
for the purpose proposed by the In
corporators OF the National Repub-
lican Club.
c. NJ. Kerr in Charge.
c. N. Kerr, 1341 Connecticut avenue,
as chairman OF the promotion com
mittee, will have charge of the work
OF building UP the membership and
already he has opened headquarters
at the above named address. Tt ia
| the object Of those who initiated this
| movement to have an organization in
! the Capital City that will compare
| with similar ones in New York, Phila-
delphia and Chicago. They hope to
| have q building that will not only be
large enough to answer the demands,
but will be OF architecture that will
! conform in every way with the sur
| roundings OF this property. 1t Is the
! intention to have q large auditorium
! in the clubhouse where meetings OF
Republicans can be held, as well
| sleeping rooms where Republicans OF
| the various states who are contin-
| ua1ly coming to the Capital can stay.
A movement along this line was
started two years ago which included
Harry NJ. Daugherty, then Attorney
General of the United States, and
other prominent Republicans among
it's incorporators. The death of Pres
| ident Harding shortly afterward con-
tributed toward the abandonment of
this p9opositton. Mr.. Kerr already
| has conferred with Senatop William
NJ. Butler. chairman of the Repub-
lican national committee, who has
taken the matter under consideration,
although he has given no indication
that he will either Join the organiZa-
tion or give IT his support. A number
! of other members of the national
committee, as well as numerous per-
sons prominent in the Republican
party, have had the objects of the
club explained to them and, according
to Mr.. Kerr, expressed enthusiasm
| and willingness to join when called
upon.
| 1t IS the intention of the incorpo-
rators very shortly to appoint 3 gov
1 erning body of fifteen mem berS, half
| of whom will be selected from among
| the Republican leaders of the District
/ OF Columbia and the others from the
| States. Samuel J. Prescott, chairman
| of the Republican State committee OF
| the. District and the accredited leader
| of the party in this city, has not yet
made known his opinion regarding
| the movement He wants TO give Il
| moro thought before reaching q de-
| cision. 1t ts understoo that IL Mr..
Prescott Joins in the movement he
will be named as one of the board of
governors.
The tentative plans for organiza.-
tion call for the raising of approx
S4roVVBoVc with 10 guy
the Hay property and raZe the pres
ent structure and erect the clubhouse
and otherwise finance the organiSa-
ton. The greater part of this money
will be raised from the selling of life
memberships in the club, which would
cost $1,000. The general membership
will be open to Republicans through
out the entire United States.
Mr.. Kerr said further details con-
cerning the proposition will be made
known within few days, when he
! expects 20 receive definite answer
from Senator Butler and other oflcers
OF the Republican national committee
and from chairmen of several Repub-
| lichn State cnnrnItfeea thrnuphnnt