Evening star., 1927-09-18
BY MARGARET b. DOWNING.

Mr.. Alexander Comstock Kirk, who
has been for the past two years
assistant to the Undersecretary ol
State, has been engaged in enlarSlne
and restoring the residence which ne
purchased at 330S r street, which IS
familiar to Georgetown residents as
the former Dumbarton Club. The
grounds cover an entire square &c
Reservoir Park. Mr.. kirk is addinS
much to the scenic effect OF his nome
and has created a fine revival of the
best gardening traditions. a member
of the we'll known manufacturing
family of Kirk in Chicago, he Is
among the eligibles in the Foreign
Office. His beautiful home is presided
over by his mother. Mrs. James A
Kirk of Glencoe. Iii.
Mr.. Kirk is a native of Chicago and
q graduate OF Yale. In selecting the
foreign service as a career, he pre-
pared for the work in the School OF
political Sciences in Paris and in the
Harvard Law College. He was ap'
pointed assistant TO Mr.. William
Phillips. then Third Assistant Secre-
iary of State. Afterward he was sent
as secretary of embassy to Berlin,
and served under Ambassador James
NV. Gerard until President Wilson
severed diplomatic rela with Ger
many at the opening of the partlclpa.
tion by this Republic in the World
War. Mr.. Kirk was later attached TO
the legation at The Hague, and was
n member of the commission appointed
in 1918 to negotiate peace Since
this epochal year in world affairs Mr..
Kirk has been changed very often in
his assignments. serving in Toxic, in
Picking, in the City of Mexico. and has
been on special duty in the State De-
partment. He is in his seth year.
After a profound love Of study. he is
DISTINGUISHED by devotion to outdoor
srecreations. gardening, writing and
horseback riding.
Mr.. Hosea Gordon was the last
kpresident of the old Dumbarton Club,
(which is now Mr.. Kinks home. This
hrganization once on a time played a
nrominent part in the social history
bof Georgetown. Being organized on
liberal lines, its activities included all
manner of social pleasures. such as
dancing, cards and banquets In the
Winter and croquet, tennis and hand
ball in the spacious grounds in Sum
.mer. Before being acquired by the
bumbarton Club, Mr.. Kinks home
had a consuming interest for the citi-
zens of the District of Columbia be-
cause it was occupied by robust
Georgetown man-John Robinson.
His name has gone on record as being
the only private citizen of the Capital
City who ever filed suit against a
President of the United States. The
complaint was based on the depreda-
tions of the British in the sacking of
washington, and cited the alleged
Inability of the President in not hav-
ing prepared for such an emergency.
The case added but little to the legal
s.history of the District. but is unique
in its annals. Mr.. Robinson's daugh-
ter married Thomas Cox, and their
descendants have been among George
towns important and worthy citizens.
They sold their interest in the fine
property to the Dumbarton Club. and
from this organization, which finally
closed its affairs, it passed through
several hands to the custody of Mr..
Kirk.
{ Former Senator John Crepps Wick
life Of Bardstown, KY, who has re-
Gently announced his candidacy for
The governors Office, is well remem-
bered in Washington when he was in
he upper house of Congress, and was
Accounted one Of its handSomeSt men,
bers. After being defeated in 1921 by
Richard Ernst. he resumed the prac-
lice of law, but did not lose his inter
Est in politics. Now it is predicted
that if Mr.. Beckham is to be success
ful, he must give a prediction prom
ase about repeating the race track
laws of the Blue Grass State-that is,
II he is to secure the rural vote. Keen
eyes are fastened on Mr.. Wickliffe
From every part of the Union, for
kentucky is almost the last strong.
Aold for the pari-mutuel wagering at
rhe race tracks. From this source the
State derives considerable income.
Mr. Wickliffe comes of family which
always patronized racing and played
Rn eminent part in the several classics
4or which Kentucky is known. His
E7ndfather, Charles Wickliffe, was
Governor Of Kentucky, was in both
ff-uSes of Congress, and was among
the founders of the Derby and a con-
fistent breeder of fine race horses.
Gov. Wickliffe when in the House of
Representatives obtained for Bishop
Wiaget of Bardstown the privilege of
bringing into the port Of New Orleans
Eree of duty certain works of art pre-
bented him, which were, perhaps, the
nrst canvasses by reputable old mas
ters which were ever seen west of the
Allegenies.
{ Mr.. Franklin Mott Gunther, chief
pt the Mexican Affairs Division of the
State Department, has proven one Of
fhe accomplished golfers of the New
bort Country Club. He has rolled up
y fine record during his Summer vaca.
Aon. He and Mrs. Gunther have
passed some weeks in Newport, and
fhe country club has engaged their
Attention. Mr.. Gunther has been as
eigned to many of the capitals OF
Europe at which ability TO play a
spirited game of golf counted as a
Diplomatic accomplishment quite as
hluch as to be able to drink a cup of
tea with apparent relish, a feat which
few American males in or out of the
foreign service can perform. He was
talled to Washington two years ago
from Rome, where he and Mrs. Gun
ther had gained much fame for their
hospitality to American students of
fslI.io and art in the Italian capital.
Mrs. Gunther was Miss Louise Bron-
BON Hunnewell Of Wellesley, Mass.
kefore her marriage, in 1918. After
being at The Hague and in Rome, Mr..
tnd Mrs. Gunther found a charming
bid home in Georgetown when they
Erst came to Washington, and they
have resided there continuously ex.
kept for the usual Summer vacation
which is divided between Newport
knd Mr.. Gunther's home in New York
Eity and that of his wife in Wellesley
7 Mr.. and Mrs. Austin Niblack Of
Chicago have made Children's day al
tha South Shore Country Club one of
khe colorful events of the open sea
bon. These days are not cutaud dried
affairs, as in SO many rural clubs
when on certain afternoons parents
kre permitted to bring their little
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