The Washington times., 1924-05-24
GALA lie I
ATTRACTS
10000
High Officials, in Full Dress
Uniforms, Lend Color to
Picturesque Scene

Headed by President and Mrs.
Coolidge, one Of the most bril-
liant assemblages ever gathered
for such an event attended the
formal opening Of the new Con-
gressional Country Club last
night. Members Of the diplomatic
corps, Cabinet, Supreme Court
and the congressional set aided
in making the scene one Of the
most picturesque ever staged in
the Capital.
The President and Mrs. Cool
idge arrived early and were sue
cessful in avoiding the tremen-
dous crowds which later in the
evening made the roads impas-
sable. AS the presidential party
drove up to the club house
little before z o'clock, hundreds
Of flares were set off all ever
the club grounds to welcome
them.
Marine Band Plays.
The Marine Band in dress uni
form was drawn up before the
clubhouse and played a march
az former Congressman Joseph III.
Hines, president Of the club well
coined the party.
After a short sightseeing trip
through the club, the President and
Mrs. Coolidge retired to the Presi.
dental suite. a new feature of
local clubs, which always will be
reserved for the President. The
presidential party took dinner in the
suite.
Shortly after o'clock, when the
clubhouse was beginning to be filled
BY hundreds Of guests, the Presi.
dent and Mrs. Coolidge went
through the receiving line, com.
posed Of officers Of the club and
took another stroll through the
crowded clubhouse welcoming in.
formally personal friends who were
at the club. ...u /,
Leaving the club early, the Presi.
dents car was caught in the inl-
Inense traffic jam caused by about
5000 automobiles bringing guests
over the two narrow roads to the
country club. Moving forward a
few feet at time, with secret serv-
ice men clearing the way, it took
the President over an hour to travel
q half mile from the club.
10000 Attended.
1t is estimated that. 10000 people
were present for the gala occasion,
and for two hours between 9 and II
o'clock, the line of cars going up to
the door Of the clubhouse extended
three miles down the narrow Mary.
land roads.
With the spacious club taxed to
capacity, 1t was one of the greatest
spectacles witnessed for some time
Color was given the assemblage by
army and navy representatives, who
attended in full dress.
The Marine Band furnished con.
cert music in the large ball room.
while in each wing, dance music
was In full sway, played by the
Meyer Davis LIE Paradis Orchestra
and section of the Navy Band.
under the direction of Charles
Benter.
The immense crowds were han.
dled by service men, who guided
the cars to the door and from tnere
to the parking spaces. Provisions
were made to handle 5000 cars, but
this was exhausted and the Golf
course was utilized. 1t was mid
night before everyone was admitted
to the club and the reception and
dance continued far into the morn.
ing.
Hundreds of guests arrived early
to inspect, the building and grounds.
They found 1t undoubtedly one of
the finest clubhouses in the co,In-
try with equipment unequalled bv
any other club.
Located on the rolling MARYLAND
hills, the clubhouse instead of de.
tracing from the natural sur
roundings, is designed to fit in
with and augment the attraction of
the section, and a small artificial
lake has been added on the club
grounds.
The house itself is built in the
early Italian style, improved to
embody all modern conveniences.
The broad terrace is supported by
blue gray stone with white marble
exterior and an Italian red tile roof.
Ball Room Is Large.
What Is believed to be the largest
clubhouse ball room and ASSEMBLE in
the country extends the entire
width Of the house. Above It is "a
mezzanine, for the accommodation
OF a throng of visitors. A promen.
AIDE extending below the mexzanine
leads to a stately dining room in
which supper was served last night.
open house will be held today.
with an exhibition golf match this
afternoon between Gene Sarazen.
Chick Evans, Freddie Mcleod. and
James Crabbe, the club pro"