Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-09-08
BY MARGARET b. DOWNING.

by MARGARET b. DOWNING.
PRAGUE, September ITO Mr.
Richard Crane. former Minister to the
Czechoslovakian capital, Prague, the
United States owes the ownership Of
It's legation at this capital. AS in the
Paris, Myron T. Herrick, Mr.. Crane
purchased the property because Prague
Ike Paris, was intolerably crowded and
the housing situation acute. He paid
his own cash for the comforts he OBJ
tAined and incidently bestowed on the
members Of his staff. Eventually Mr.
Crane was reimbursed and the property
known In the annals of Prague as the
Schonborn Palace on Mala Strana has
become part of the dominion of the
United States. While 1t was immeasur-
ably superior to any other dwelling
which Mr.. Crane could have bought at
the time by standards which prevail in
Washington, Schonborn Palace leaves
much to be desired. It was erected,
as the date on the massive stone arch
way indicates. in 1928 and according
To the building ideals of that era.
The walls are feet deep and built
with such eSasperating solidity that
to remodel the rooms and to equip
them with modern heating and lighting
convenlences has been estimated to
cost an immense sum. But the palace
park contains almost II acres of trees
and gardens and, as Prague is &C.
knowledged to be one of the on-rushing
capitals of Eastern Europe. it may
prove that for $125,000 Uncle Sam
secured genuine bargain.
MFR. Lewis Einstein of New York City
has been Minister since October, 1921,
When Mr.. Crane retired from the
service. but he and Mrs. Einstein have
been at home since Midsummer and
Mr.. John Sterett Cuttings Of Baltimore
e. to housing have eased little and
the legation no longer gives living
quarters to the Minister'S staff. The
ekancellery however. occupies commodi-
Gus quarters to the right of the splendid
tlarble stairway which leads from the
Greet. When Mr.. Crane purchased
@e place many of the suites were
leased to tenants and it was only dur
Ing the past few months that Mr..
Eanstein obtained the use of these
rooms. Until they are remodeled and
furnished with heat, light and modern
sanitation, they are not practical adj
ditions to his establishment. Mr.. John
Crane, brother of the former Minister,
retains a handsome suite in Schonborn
Palace which Is the last word in COM
fort as far as 1t may be obtained at
present, and he is in charge of the
vast philanthropic enterprises of his
father, Mr.. Charles Crane of Chicago,
in relation to the economic and in
dustrial development of the Czechoslo-
vakian republic. So extensive is the
from the official portion and lesseeS
have all the nriVacv desired
x 4
Mr.. and Mrs. Einstein have. however.
produced charming home in the ex-
tensive wing of the palace which has
been officially selected as the residen-
tfal portion of the legation. From the
commonnal court from which all apart
entered, guests Of the Minister pass
through a splendid portal or stone up
held by gigantic figures, which are to
be seen on all imposing doors Of
Prague, into private garden. To the
left is the Minister'S home, while from
the center aScends a broad, stately
stairway leading to the first of the sew
eral terraces Of the garden. Because
Winters In Prague are long, cold and
depressing, Spring and Summer usually
constitute the social season, although it
may A4oO NC SOFC1IlCu ny CIRCUMSTANCES,
such as the arrival of important on
Gals from Washington or. as during the
past August. large bodies of industrial
rnagnates. So the present envoy and
Mrs. Einstein have become associated
IN the public mind of the city with de-
lightfui fetes al fresco, and their gar
den Is one most admired in this legion
OF lovely flower plots.
~On the first terrace, a broad border
- -
been planted and they furnish cut
flowers for the home and for many
purposes besides. These flowers, like
the hardy borders of Great Britain, con-
tain the first blossoms of Spring as we'll
as the last of Autumn. Then there are
rose gardens and vast beds of giant
of unusual size and bril-
liancy of color. There are artistic
patches Of vegetables and clumps of