Evening star., 1937-12-05

Blair came to Washington to take
charge of the organization and activi-
ties Of the Democratic women of the
country. She believed q most con-
structive step would be the estab-
lishment of Democratic wemen's
club in Washington that should be
national in scope. In November of
that year a meeting of few women
was held at the home Of Mrs. j. Bor-
den Hartman to discuss plans. Mrs.
Blalr's idea was so enthusiastically
received that little more than a
month later the club became q reality,
with Board of Governors and a
full set of officers. Mrs. Hartman,
who is now the United States Minister
to Norway, was the first president A
few days later constitution was
adopted and a committee appointed
to select a clubhouse Less than q
month after the final arrangements
had been made the Womens National
Democratic Club was opened at $40
Connecticut avenue NV.
1t was an old Washington town house
with beautiful carved mantels and long
gilt mirrors. There were not suf-
ficient funds for adequate furnishings,
but members and friends made gen.
erous donations of antique mahogany
furniture, engravings and variety
of other articles that made up for the
deficiencies.
This house suff1ced until the autumn
OF 1927, when the club had outgrown
its quarters to such an extent that
the board began to look around for
q larger house. 1t was then that the
fortunate choice of the present club
house at 1926 New Hampshire ave-
nue. NV. was made. Although built
as q private residence, this house is
well adapted to club requirements
The rooms are large and can be readily
thrown together for parties and large
meetings. Much of the furniture of
the first house was moved to the
present one and many choice gifts
have been received in the 10 years of
occupancy. At the present time the
club has much of the charm of an
old Southern mansion
It is quite evident that the men,
bers have a warm affection for their
club. They make a point of buying
china, cushions and embroideries dec
GRATED with donkeys when they come
across them in their travels and bring
them back as a present to the house.
So many of the gifts have been
made that wherever one looks one
Is apt to catch sight of some ex-
preston of the traditional symbol of
hA >orfv In,
the house has been newly done
over" by the House Committee under
the direction of Mrs. Loren johnson.
The activities of the club have al
ways been based on the object of pro-
viding social, educational and politi-
cal background for Democratic women
OF washington and of the country.
For many years the club was RESPONSE
bic for the publication Of the Bulle-
tin, q magazine of information about
Democratic activities, which was
widely circulated This work has now
been taken over by the Democratic
National Committee, and it Is being
issued as the Democratic Digest
Luncheon meetings with well-known
speakers are held each Monday
throughout the winter, and these are
popular. An educational program is
presented each Tuesday morning, and
twice a month dinner meetings are
held. The clubhouse is also the scene
Of many private parties.
The club has been responsible for
three national conferences to which
representatives of Democratic clubs
all over the United States were in
Nted. Programs and plans for wom-
ems political work were discussed at
these meetings. The last one was
held at the time OF the last inaugu-
ration. The present president OF the
club is Mrs. Wilbur w. Hubbard, who
has the distinction of being a life
member herself and of having a hus-
band and son both of whom are also
members OF the club
Steady Ploddinx Is
G. O. P.'s Way to Victory.
It is the African and not the Indian
elephant that is the symbol of the
League Of Republican Women, accord
ing to one enthusiastic member. This
k because the African elephant plods
steadily along in spite of everything,
and the female always leads. That
steady, determined plodding has been
one Of the characteristics of the League
OF Republican Women can hardly be
denied. 1t was originally organized in
1912 as the Women's National Repub-
ican Club. At that time women's polit-
ical clubs were only pleasant adjuncts
to the mems clubs.
This club raised campaign funds
ana helped whenever possible through
the years when the opposition party
was IN power. Then, in 1928, after
suffrage had been granted and women
were politicians in their own right, the
club took on fresh vigor and was re-
organized under the leadership of Mrs.
Virginia White Speel, who is now Ma
eaonal Committeewoman from the Dis
rict Of Columbia. Incorporated as
The League Of Republican Women at
that time, two rooms were rented in
the National Capital Republican Club
house, at Scott Circle. Meetings were
held there, parties were given. and
many plans were made When the
Scott Circle house was given up. the
league did not disband, but instead
rented temporary quarters at the
Raleigh Hotel for q time
It was not until last July that the
hague moved into its smart new house
at 1901 Seventeenth street NV. The
House Committee had bought an old
house that was in q bad state of re-
pair. They set about doing it over,
and by the time it was opened 1t
BOXED as fresh and new as though It
had never before been occupied.
] Interested members donated fur
niture and equipment, and the rooms
are decorated with charm and taste.
At drst glance one would think that
the house was completely furnished.
Z