Evening star., 1927-04-03
Tales of Well Known Folk
In Social and Official Life
Items of Special Interest. Grouped Together,
j Which Relate to Noted Personases in
u S. and Foreign Lands

today when wealth has passed from
those who appreciate art into the
hands of those who apparently are
just as content with copies as with
originals. 1t is unlikely that the Gov
ernment of the United States will au
thorize the purchase of paintings for
the embassy and especially those from
foreign artists, when SO many meri-
torious canvases by natives remain
for sale. Mr.. Houghton is a discrim-
mating selector of what pleases him,
and naturally his visitors represent
people with incomes to indulge par.
tiality for good British landscapes or
portraits. The pictures purchased are
sent at once to the Houghton home in
Corning. New York, and they have been
bought as frequently in New York
City as at the exhibitions at the Royal
Academy. In performing this kindly
act for British artists, the Ambassador
is following the lead of a number tf
distinguished men and women in Lob
don. not only for artists, but for needle
women, craftsmen and artisans in iron
and glass, who are giving their draw.
ing rooms gratis for special displays.
Mrs. Frances Parkinson Keyes has
struck a new and most fascinating
note in the matter of gavels welded
by presidents of the several clubs in
Washington of which she is an active
and interested member. She bought
these insignia of authority during her
recent visit to the Holy Land and
from tiny shop doing business on
the very spot which, tradition says,
was once covered by the house of
Joseph and Mary, where the Redeemer
in his boyhood worked at the carpen.
ter's bench. Mrs. Keyes has presented
these gavels to the Women's National
Press Club, to the Congressional Club
and to the Senate Women's Luncheon
Club in Washington, to one or two
clubs in Baltimore in which she is in
terested and before which she regu.
iarly makes addresses, and to several
in New Hampshire and Boston. The
gavels are Of olive wood. and around
the mallet has been placed silver tab
let bearing the date of the presenta-
tion and the donors name, with a line
saying where the gift was purchased.
A gavel with such sacred associations
VIII be considered a genuine treasure
by every organization receiving it. and
In the case of the Women's National
Press Club it is the first gift toward
permanent equipment in the home
which the club is to establish in the
splendid new building now being erect.
ed ny the newspaper men of Wash
ington.
Gen. Cornelius Vanderbilt has been
among those sponsoring the publica.
ton, for private circulation only. of a
small volume called Club Members
OF New York City," This venture was
prompted by the desire to uncover pre-
tensions of shady people who have
been seeking credit at banks and out
of-town clubs by claiming member.
ship in some of Gotham's exclusive
organizations. Feminine associations
also are listed If they have a perma-
nent nome and recognized social
status. Gen. Vanderbilt, who has
performed his full share of earnest
work. seems to play just as hard as
ne iabors. He is recorded as belong.
ing to 16 clubs, of which have an
aquatic end in view. Mr.. Alexander
smith Cochran ranks next to Gen.
vanderbilt in having membership in
IL clubs, and next in order, with IL,
are j. Pierpont Morgan, Vincent
Astor. Harry Payne Whitney, Clar-
ence II. Mackay, Marshall Field and
{. Oliver Iselin. John d. Rockefeller.
Jr, belongs to but and Henry Ford.
Americas richest man, does not claim
affiliation with any of the fashionable
clubs of New York City, though he
belongs to several societies which
nave literary, musical, artistic or
philanthropic end. The Union. Knick.
erbocker. Metropolitan and University