Evening star., 1926-09-12
D. c. TENNESSEEANS
MEET AS COMRADES
State Society Formed in
1918 With so Members
Now Numbers ESQ.
BY MARGARET b. DOWNING.

1t was in January of 1918,
or the invitation of Rufus S. Pear
son. citizen of Tennessee, for many
years resident in Washington, that
about so other Tennesseeans met IN
the .Ebbitt Hotel and realized the
long cherished ambition of having
q local State society. Senator KEN
meth MCkellar. who had been a
champion of such an organization,
addressed the meeting, and this
small nucleus began with energy and
enthusiasm to interest other actual
or former residents of the State.
tentative constitution was drawn up
the first evening, emphasizing the need
nj q common meeting place for TenneS
seeanS in Washington. and of pro-
noting the interests of the State in
The recognized way. through a So
ciety in which lectures and general
addresses would be component parts
of the social program. Mr.. pearson
was chosen president, and with him
were elected Harry Hall, vice preSl-
dent, and Albert &. Field, secretary
and treasurer. The meetings were
to be held monthly from November
20 May. with annual elections and
other business matters to be trans
acted in January. The Tennesseeans
met during mat first year in the
Thomson School. It's community
then being utilized by many State
organizations. Later the Wilson Nor
NAL School furnished hospitality To
the society.
Comradeship Society Feature.
From its inception spirit of com
radeship has been a Distinguishing
fea ature of the Tennessee Society, and
his has been manifested in the many
iollv picnicS and al fresco affairs
which have marked its programs
since 1918 The state has a list of
eminent public officials resident in
Washington besides. and an inter
ested and most loyal congressional
contingent Two justices of the
supreme Court, Justices MacRey-
nolds and Sanford, give dignity ana
weight to its conferences, whilst Sen
ator Mckellar. who had a long term
in the House before he was promot-
ed 10 the upper chamber, has been
one of the enthusiastic supporters
Of the society. He made, as 1t were,
the keynote speech the evening OF
It's organization. and few Of the more
important meetings ever since have
lacked his actual presence or cordial
support Former Senator and Mrs.
, Shields were also regular attendants,
and Senator and Mrs. Tyson Joined
immediately on coming to Washing
ton last Autumn. Mrs. Tyson was
active in the Christmas tree cele-
bration. a lively affair OF. Christmas
week. which brought out 100 per cent
of the membership and scores of
their friends.
Harry Hall Second President.
Harry Hall was elected president in
1919 and with him served as vice
president Jesse S. Cottrell, then
we'll known newspaper man but now
United States Minister to Bolivia.
Representative Lon a. Scott directed
the society for a year in 1920 and he
was succeeded by Representative b.
carroll Rencp. DR.. Everett NJ. Ellis
was the fifth president and served
dulira. t9~4. and Wesley Marvin
Pope was elected in 1925. Tennes-
~eean< rave made the presence OF
some noted citizen of the State
basis for some of the most important
social events in the annals OF their
society When Judge Edward Terry !
Sanford was appointed by President
Harding in 1928. one of the most |
pleasing functions Of the Spring was
The banquet given in his honor in |
the CITY club Justice Sanford, who |
was United States district judge for |
east and middle Tennessee. had taken |
a cordial interest in the society from !
its birth and during Il visit TO his |
sister. Mrs. Hubert Frederick Fisher, !
wife Of tAe Representative from Mem !
nhis. he had attended Cne or two OF !
its meetings. He was. therefore, at
this banquet, at which he made a |
witty and characteristic speech |
elected to he honorary president for |
life.
sponsor Special Programs.
The Tennessee Society makes 1t a
point 10 give a tea or a more formal
kind OF entertainment when the Con-
iinental Congress Is i'll session on the
Daughters OF the toutederacN or any 4
organization which brings Il number
Of it's people temporarily 10 Washing
ION. Two years ago "a formal leVee |
was given in honor of the Tennessee
delegates to the convention OF the
Daughters of the COnfederacy, ana F.
several pleasant entertainments have
marked the visit of those connected |
with the Stone Mountain project. |
Several hanQuets have been given. but |
At no stated time. That given on
February II. 1924. was successful
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