The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1928-06-20
The Arts Club, After Discussion,
Will Retain It's Historic Quarters

Growth of Club Brings
Need for More Room,
Demand for the Little
F. Theater
The Arts Club of Wash
ington will not give up its
present quarters - at any
rate for the present. Yes,
that's news, for this is NOV
ing day among the clubs OF
Washington and the pro-
iect has been discussed at
the Arts Club.
There was even a called
meeting at the clubhouse
Sunday evening for the pur-
pose Of talking over infor.
mally the need for larger
quarters and certain houses
which had been proposed
as being suitable for the
club s necessities. A COM
mittee had looked over these
and made a report.
To Stay Put"
But, although no formal
action was taken, the consensus
among the SIS members who
were present was that the club
should cling to its picturesque
old mansion in / Street, beloved
for it's historic interest and the
charm of its colonial interior.
The house was used by Presi-
dent James Monroe as tempo
rary White House after the
British had burned the Execu-.
tive Manson in the Administra-
ton of his predecessor, Madison.
And for generations men and
women who have made the
social and civic history of
Washington have foregathered
in its high-ceilinged drawing
rooms. These still boast fine
caryen mantels and the crystal
chandeliers of the period and
they have been fitted out with
fine old furniture which seems
absolutely at home. Verify, it
would be a crime to give up
such a place-to see it go down
inevitably before. the march of
progress" making way probably
for an apartment or a motion
picture palace.
Need Auditorium
Admittedly the club membership
has outgrown the quaint old house
with the blue-green door, which is
a landmark in its neighborhood.
Most of the members feel the need
OF more room, but the loudest
clamor for expansion comes from
the theatrical group, whose prog
ress Is tremendously handicapped
by the lack of an auditorium:
For a long time a proposition
was under discussion to purchase
the property next door to the club
and to erect a little theater, with
first-rate dressing rooms, lighting
equipment and what not, and above
that, studio apartments. 1t was
thought that the rent from the
apartments would eventually pay
for the building.
This seemed to be an ideal so.
luton of the problem. but while
the club was mullipg over its
future the lot to the west was
sold and a great apartment hotel,
the Park Lane, is now a'building
there and on the corner that
was once occupied by Pen Gar.
dens. This leaves only one d.
rection in which the Arts Club
can expand and this property is
held by the owners at prohibit
tive figure.
It's to be hoped, however, that
some other scheme will be
worked out which will not neces-
state giving up the pleasant old
house, so appropriate a home for
a group which has at heart the
preservation of Washington's
charm. 1t might be possible to
build a little theater for the Arts
Club entirely detached from its
present quarters. If that sugges-
ton be at all practicable, the club
may have it free, gratis, for moth
ing"
The anba ssador of Belgium.
Prince Albert de Ligne, will sail
on the Majestic on Saturday TO
join Princess de Ligne abroad for
the rest of the summer.
The minister of Siam, Lieut..
Gen. Phya Vijitavongs. and the
members of his staff will go on
Friday, TO Gloucester, Mass, where
the legation will be located for
the remainder Of the summer.
The former Secretary of State
and Mrs. Charles Evans Hughes
and their daughter, Miss Eliza
beth Hughes, sailed yesterday on
the George Washington to pass
the summer in Europe.
For the Fishing
Mrs. Frank s. Hight has gone
TO her summer home, Woodland
Farm. Canaan, y. H, for a few
1T, L.