Evening star., 1938-05-01

ulStle0tlON Oh MI. ana MRS. Charles
Weller, this Oldest settlement house
in the District has been an Industrial
settlement as well as purely social
one, with its weaving and shop work
products. means Of revenue in addi-
ton to their value as outlets of self
expression.
These had phenomenal develop
ment under the leadership and vision
of MIR. and Mrs. John P. s. Nelight,
who from 1906 until Mrs. Neligh's
death in August. 1885, made the
service Of Neighborhood House to its
community the sole motivation of their
joint lives and won for themselves
a citys devotion and appreciation. It
was they who interested Mrs. Alice
Pike Barney in its needs and objec-
tives. Fittingly. Neighborhood House
has recently prefixed her name to
its nomenclature in appreciation not
only of her notable financial contri-
buttons which not infrequently made
possible its continuance in the days
before the Community Chest. but be-
cause Of the interest which she aroused
on the part Of her own wide circle of
friends.
Gen. Barnett Played Part.
In 1902, SO years ago this May,
Maj. Gen. Barnett, then in command
Of the United States Marine Corps,
was responsible for the Marine Band
volunteering to doing its bit toward
making q success Of the first Neigh
borhood House May festival in front
of its historic headquarters.
Twin Oaks" now occupied by the
Chinese Ambassador. during the life
time Of its owner, the late Charles ].
Bell. was likewise for many years the
scene Of yearly benefit to raise funds
for Neighborhood House.
Another enthusiastic proponent was
Mrs. Wilbur Carr for Is years its
president prior to her husbands ap-
pointment as Minister to Czechoslo-
vakia. Mrs. George c. Thorpe, already
distinguished for her acitivies in fur
thering better educational and play
ground facilities for Southwest Wash
ington, was then chosen to succeed
Mrs. Carr. It's honorary president is
Miss Ellen A. Vinton, and its honorary
vice presidents are Mrs. Charles ].
Bell and Mrs. Robert Woods Bliss.
Miss Margaret Bell Merrill, long
known to Washington for her educa-
tional activities in both public and
private schools, as we'll as for her
interest in the drama and the arts
as means of self-expession, came to
Neighborhood House as its head resi-
dent in January. 1896, Mr.. Neigh
staying as house warden.
Attendance Increased.
From 1896 to 1887 there was an
increase in the total attendance Of
persons using Neighborhood House
from $4,000 to $1,000 which means
that 1900 more than there really
was room for somehow managed to
participate in its activities under an
over-worked staff Of seven residents,
three non-residents and three part
time assistants.
Nor does this include groups of lit
tie youngsters on the outside looking
In, such as those saw, who plaintive-
" said, the day was there, do you
suppose could come back when you
are not 50 busy?"
And still they apparently come, a
never ending stream OF girls and boys
and parents striving to use its good
neighbor service, for the record of
attendance for March Of 1898 shows
an increase of $50 girls and 62e boys
over that Of similar period in 1897.
I heard Eugene Fields Sail Baby,
Sail" sung by kindergarten tots from
2 to 5, several of whom belong to the