Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1926-01-03
FORNIA FOLK
LOYAL TO|DEALS
State Society Here, With
Other Activities, Honors
Joaquin Miller.
BY MARGARET b. DOWNING.

CalifornianS, who are SO universally
loyal and enthusiastic in their home.
are equally 50 when away from it
and no one is astonished that the
local society is among the most virile
and picturesque at the Capital The
society has. in addition to accomplish
ing those objects which would logically
result from the gathering of its citi-
EenS in social cOncourSe, marked its
devotion to California and her chill
tiren in the purchase and preserva-
lion of the Joaquin Miller cottage for
many years on Meridian Hill, now in
Rock Creek Park.
The association from the Golden
State has enjoyed a continued and
prosperous existence since 1894. AS
the official stationery sets forth it
was founded to cement into a bond
of closer friendship those Californians
residing in Washington and to assist
IN the progress and development of
our glorious State"
About 10 members attended the first
meeting. held in the old Riggs House,
now demolished. of whom the present
recording secretary and chairman of
the social committee. Harry +. Ashton.
and George W. McCord, 4 prominent
hotel man OF the city. are the only
survivors a I present living in the Dis
trict. The late Michael +. O'Donoghue
was the first president. and the cler-
cal work was performed by a well
known newspaper correspondent of
those days. A. J. Boyer. who after
ward became editor of the San Fran
cisco Bulletin
800 Members Now Enrolled.
The society now counts its active
and appreciative members almost to
3bD. There blv
held in the auditorium of the Interior
department from December until
May, with dinners interspersed, and
the grand finale is the pilgrimage to
the Joaquin Miller cottage in Rock
Creek Park, where speeches and pa
tFlotlc exercises are held, and then
follows genuine California picnic
AS a rule, the monthly gatherings
are held on the third Wednesday. but
tbs Isar the proximity of that late
70 christmas and the fact that the
new members of Congress We're so
overwhelmed with other ensa gemepts
c"used the December meeting to be
acandoned, and the first gathering of
NE season for local Californians will
De on January II, when Representa-
i've Florence Prag Kahn will be the
guest of honor. Associated with nor
WI! De the others who have just taken
thelr Seats-Representa Lawrence
). rafferty, of San Francisco and Rem.
resentative Albert E Carter of oak
land.
Others ON Active List.
80, too, the Californians in exalted
roIes, like the Secretary of the NAVY |
ana Mrs. Wilbur and the Secretary of I,
commerce and Mrs. Hoover. They are I
orlng the season its guests at least |
chce, and each of the Cabinet officials
rs been rendered a brilliant function
especially planned in his honor. Mr.
Hoover is assistant secretary and /
rlght-hand man. formerly a member
rom the sixth California district.
James Henry MacLafferty is promj
nent worker and always is on hand
10 mingle with the people of his State 7
ourlng the 80 years of its existence
the most eminent of CaIifornians have \
inquired on its board of officers. SEN n
ator James d. Phelan was president
during his six years in WASHINGTON.
ana his successor is Representative
Arthur Monroe Free of the eighth dis !
trIct and d resident of San Jose. The n
other officers who will act during 1926 II
are George B. Hedges, first: IT, II. II
chapman, second: c.. w. McCord n
third, and Charles W. Freeman, fourth Il
vice presidents. Maj. H. w. Lucas