Evening star., 1935-07-21
Washington Shakes Off
Summer Social Ennu1
With Air Conditioning
Development of Nearby Cool Country Places
and Shaded Estates Keeps Capital More
at Home in Hot Weather.

The lethargy of Midsummer in
Washington seems to be thing OF
the past. Only Midsummer during
war days would boast luncheon at
the White House, foreign Ambassadors
and Ministers in the Capital not to
mention the Congress and distinguish
ed foreign visitors. Yet such was the
fact during the week just closed.
Washington in Summer has ceased to
be so unpleasant as a place of abode,
for with air-cooled Offices, shops,
theaters, hotels, and houses. in addi-
tion to the hundreds of cool country
places and clubs nearby, it is not
difficult to be comfortable. Many who
are obliged to remain at their official
duties have taken country homes or
cottages at beaches or mountain re-
sorts not too far away to be easily
accessible. And there is always the
historic Potomac River for short
cruises and brief sails.
During the two Sunset Symphonies
of the National Symphony Orchestra
at the Water Gate many canoes nosed
their way close to the barge and sea
wall and larger craft propelled by
motor dropped anchor within hearing
distance of the orchestra. Popularity
of water sports on the Potomac has
not always been at its height, though
in recent years more and more attrac-
tive small craft and palatial ocean
going yachts have sailed up the river
as far as Washington and George
town. No large vessels have been able
to navigate beyond the Navy Yard or
the Washington Channel, where river
commerce has the right of way. Since
the use of the Water Gate by the
local orchestra, announcement is made
channel to permit distinguished
foreigners coming here to visit, to set
foot on the soil of this country at the
back" Of the Lincoln Memorial. 1t
is a beautiful approach" to the
Nations Capital.
Senator and Mrs. Jesse H. Metcalf,
who spend much time aboard their
yacht Felicia, this Summer are making
their home aboard the graceful craft
lying at anchor during the week. For
week ends, and always with guests
aboard, the Felicia turns down stream
and seeks some of the lovely little
tributaries of the Potomac, picturesque
and historic. Old residents miss the
semi-annual visits of the Everglades,
comfortable house boat of the late Col.
Robert M. Thompson, which took him
to Florida waters in the Winter and
to Southampton in the Summer, stop
ping always "to and fro" for visit in
Washington.
Efforts to establish an annual re-
gatta on the Potomac have been al
most as numerous as the efforts in
the past to make a Washington or
chestra permanent. Now that the
latter is an assured fact, perhaps en-
thusiasts for the water will take
courage and the Presidents Cup re-
gatta, relegated In recent years to the
Anacostia River, may develop into
something more like those of 40 or
more years back. Then all Of Wash
ington was interested and the river
from Georgetown up was lined with
spectators In all kinds of craft. Three
boat clubs, the Analostan, the CO.
lun1bia and the Potomac. were not
only wen equipped from boat stand
point but were fashionable for dances
as well as to keep boat there.
The Potomac has not been SO pop
ular with society for swimming and
not SO many years ago the municipal
swimming pool was the only such
swimming "hole" in the District. Now
there are many. The Turkish En-