Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-12-09
D. c. REPUBLICANS
BUY CAPITAL HOME
Japanese Embassy Chancery
Building viii Be Made
Party Headquarters.

The four-story dwelling at the south
west corner of Sixteenth street and
Scott Circle, 1884 Sixteenth street, which
for several years has been the chancery
of the Japanese embassy, has just been
purchased in the name of the Repub-
Ncan State committee of the District of
Columbia. to be used as headquarters for
the allied Republican organizations in
this city.
There is a movement on foot, spon-
eored by local Republican leaders, to
organize a large Republican club here
and to have this newly acquired resi-
dence as the clubhouse. However, the
club idea still is in tentative form and
whether it actually materializes the
Republican organizations now in ex-
istence henceforth will have a perma-
nent home and Offices in convenient
location.
The residence was purchased at a
price understood to be in excess OF
$4,000. 1t was bought from Harry
Wardman and for the present will be
held in trust by Cuno H. Rudolph and
Joshua Evans, jr., treasurer and Secre-
tary, respectively, of the State commit
tee, and Mrs Virginia White Speel,
Republican national committeeman
and member of the State committee.
Other Party Organizations.
Besides the State committee, the other
party organizations which Awill have
quarters in this building are the Repub-
lican State Voters Association, William
Tyler Page, president; the League of
Republican State Clubs of the District,
Edgar C. Snyder, president; the League
Of Republican Women of the District,
IA A 10 rrtVr he
Hoover and Curtis Club, John Lewis
Smith, president.
The latter organization came into ex-
lstence during the 1928 presidential
campaign and has a paid membership
of more than 1900. The other organf-
Nations have been functioning for a
number of years and have a combined
membership of more than 1000. These
party units, while separate and distinct
in themselves, operate as a body during
campaign period in the name of the
League of Republican Organizations
with Samuel j. Prescott chairman of
the State committee, as the directing
head.
The lease held by the Japanese en-
basSy does not expire until the end Of
next June, which Will prevent the Re-
publican organizations taking over the
house for occupancy until after that
Der Of changes will have to be made in
the interior arrangement of the house,
at least not for some time. If the proposed
Republican club is organized a number
OF alterations will be necessary, in
Guiding the building of an extension to
the rear of the building, which will af-
ford large auditorium and assembly
room.
The building, one of the most i'm
~ hat -
and well adapted for the purpose for
which it is desiged. The structure has
q frontage of Al feet on Sixteenth street
and 100 feet on Scott circle, with an
alley in the rear.
Built for Col Staples.
This residence was built by the late
Jonn McGregor for Col. o. G. Staples,
who for many years conducted the
Riggs Hotel, at Fifteenth and G streeCs
Later the house became the properly
OF Princess Elaine Won der Lippe
Lippski, and 1t was during her owner
ship that it came in for considerable
prominence. This owner organized
club for World War Veterans, which
operated under the name of the Carry
On Club, and she turned her house
over to 1t as q club house.
Chairman Prescott, the recognized
leader Of Republican activities in this
city, In commenting today upon the
acquisition of this building, stated that
he is satisfied that the cause of Re-
publicanism in this city, and else
where for that matter, will be greatly
strengthened by having quarters OF
this nature. He said there has been
2 need for long time of a general
headquarters.
At the present time these organiza-
tions, with the exception of the State
committee, virtually are homeless. When
they meet as a body, or as units, or
when their respective committees meet.
they use the quarters of the State COM
fnittee on the sixth floor of the Second
National Bank Building, at 1888 @
street. However, on the occasions of
rallies or large meeting or entertain
n1ents it is necessary to go to one of
the local hotels or obtain an auditorium
or hall.
Besides being the meeting place for
these organizations, the newly acquired
building will be used as the headquar-
tiers for Edward F. Colladay and Mrs.
Virginia White Speel, Republican ma
tional committeeman and committee
woman, respectively.
a.