Grid Lib?

Once a year Washington's Gridiron Club justifies its existence by roasting the pretensions and perquisites of politicians at a lampoon dinner. For the other 364 days, the group of columnists, bureau chiefs and other journalistic elders acts like any other hidebound institution. Among the most staunchly defended traditions: a membership limit of 50; women need not apply.

The male-only clause in the club's 89-year-old constitution has come under increasing attack. This year, for instance, a "counter-Gridiron" party was held that attracted many of the celebrities who had previously attended the orthodox bash. Now, with the solemnity of king penguins about to bathe en masse in public, the Gridiron has yielded--sort of. The word "persons" has been substituted for "men" in the charter, and membership will expand to 60 over the next five years. Does that mean ten women members by 1980? Not necessarily. Any candidate for admission may still be blackballed by any two active members, and four men voted against the change. The first woman likely to be nominated is Helen Thomas, U.P.I.'s White House correspondent. "I'd like to join if I'm invited," she said last week, "but I won't believe it until it happens."

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