Evening star., 1940-04-21
BY JESSIE FAINT EVANS.

BY JESSIE FAINT EVANS.
Neither an institution nor hos
pital, but a memorial home on the
club-group plan, the John Dickson
Home of this city is the delightful,
handsomely furnished residence Of
group of elderly gentlemen who
participate In its benevolences.
Situated on four wooded acres
which comprise a city block of q
prosperous residential section at 5000
Fourteenth street, it vies with many
of Washington's wealthy country
clubs in its comforts and conven-
fences. Yet it is not isolated nor
remote. but adjacent to the pulsing
life of the Nations Capital and near
enough to our city's transportation
systems to make it readily available
to those who go and come from its
hospitable midst.
Unlike most mems clubs, it is set
apart by the fact that it is ade-
quately endowed and those who par
ticipate in the benefits of its men,
bership pay no dues.
Model in Estate Planning.
This unusual arrangement, which
is considered model in estate plan
ming by national welfare agencies,
has been made possible by the phil
anthropy of Henry Dickson, son of
John Dickson of County Down, Ire
land, who began his business career
in Georgetown as an apprentice to
William King With Mr.. Kings son
William, the son Henry established a
wood and coal business and pros
pered. The bulk of his own and his
fathers fortune he left in trust to
establish this memoria. to his father,
for many years resident of Wash
ington and greatly interested in its
welfare. He was bachelor.
The John Dickson Home was
opened to its first members on Janu-
ary /, 1918, after a gala house.
warming the afternoon before which
was attended by many of Washing
tons prominent citizens.
John Joy Edison was the first
president of its Board of Trustees,
a position he held until his own
death. To Mr.. Edson's tremendous
personal interest in the home, evi-
denced by his bi-weekly visits, is
due the elimination of every pos
sible feature which might make it
seem institutional in nature.
The second president was Gen.
John A. Johnston, who made the
home a generous bequest.
H. G. Meem Present President.
Harry G. Meem, president of the
Washington Loan & Trust Co., is
its present president and Arthur
Peter of this same company, is its
vice president
The Board of Trustees consists
of Mr.. Meem, Mr.. Peter, Theodore
w., Noyes, Charles Doing, William
H. Baden, Floyd E. Davis and WAL
ter S. Pratt, jr.
In line with Mr.. Edson's idea,
'It takes a woman to make home
for any man. the superintendent
of the John Dickson Home has
always been woman. Miss Mary
B. Heaton, who has since retired,
was the first superintendent. She
has been succeeded by Miss Lii
liam NJ Hamilton, who was Miss
Heaton's first assistant in its man
agement, as well as a graduate
nurse. Jolly, as we'll as capable,
her interest is everywhere apparent,
whether it be required as referee
in sharply contested game of bill
liards, or to settle a mooted point
in the carpentry shop, where bird
house of unique design and propor-
tions is being evolved by one of the
guests.
Envoy Enjoyed Grounds.
Beautifully handicapped, the
grounds about the John Dickson
Home are considered as beautiful
as those of any private estate in
this vicinity. In the center of one
of it's grassy ovals, is the bird bath
presented by former Ambassador
Jusserand and his wife in tribute
to their enjoyment of this spot as
the goal of one of their favorite
walks about Washington.
English Colonial in type, the
building is two stories, with stair
ways that are easy to climb and
rooms on the main floor for those
to whom ascending stairs would be
an effort.
Each room is so located that sun
shine floods it every morning and
afternoon. In addition, there is
special sunroom equipped with easy
chairs, and there are double-decker
porches to the east, north and south.
Each guest has his own bedroom,
adjacent to bath facilities. A smok-
ing room and general recreational
room equipped with a piano player,
radio. and phonograph, provide
variety of interest, as does a bill
lard room, a carpenter shop and q
library equipped with current news
papers and magazines as well as a
fascinating and up-to-date collec-
ton of mystery stories.
The seating in the cheerful, COM
modious dining room is at tables Of
six or eight, the china even being
varied from meal to meal, as It
might be in a home.
Included among the present guests
are former lawyer, physician and
a dentist.
After admission, clothes, as well
as a small fund of spending money,
are provided for each guest.
Members Of this unusual group
are not restricted as to when or
where they shall go The board
management, however, does request
that each guest shall observe the
same courtesy he would In his own
) I