The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1896-12-23
A Society War In Chicago Over
Social Precedence.
Mrs. Palmer Makes a Spirited
Contest For Supremacy.
MRS. PALMER OPPOSES
The Annual Charity Ball and
Her Rival FavOrs 1t.
Mrs. Cation Is the Leader Of the
Anti PaImerites.

Chicago, Ill, Dec. 23--At a meeting
held in the south parlor of the Audi
forum hotel this afternoon it was de-
cided that an effort will be made to
give the regular charity ball this sea
son, even if Mrs Potter Palmer or MIS-.
Arthur eaton refuse to take part. To
further this effort another meeting will
be held Saturday afternoon and the pa
trOnesses and managers of last years
ball viii be requested to attend
The general verdict of those present
was that the ball Will not be given.
The reasons are four in number: First,
that Mrs. Palmer has refused to take
part; second that Mrs. Cation has done
the same thing: third. that the time
is too short to make the necessary ar
engagements; fourth, that some charita-
Bile institutions are clamoring for more
than their share of the proceeds of the
ball
When the afternoons meeting had
been called to order by Mrs. E. c. Dud-
ley the name Of Mrs Orson Smith was
mentioned for chairman, and before
she could give her consent or refuse
she was elected to the position.
Il cannot accept the position" Mrs.
Smith said ''as L understand that this
is not a meeting of the regular patron
esses and managers of last year s ball
institutions or their patrOnesses, are in
charge Of this meeting. 1 must de-
cline to preside"
Mrs Smiths declination caused a
buzz of excitement, but she was finally
prevailed upon to accept upon aSsur-
ance that the meeting was not pack
ed in favor of any particular project
Frederick futile was appointed secre-
tary A noticeable thing about the
meeting presented itself at this point.
On one side were the personal friends
and supporters of Mrs. Cation, while on
the other side Of the room We're Mrs
Palmer'S adherentS.
After lively discussion as to which
of the charities should be the beneh-
Charles in the event of the ball being
given, Mrs. OrSOn Smith announced
that she had Just received word from
Mrs. Palmer that owing to the illness
of her husband she would be unable to
undertake any charity ball work TINS
winter. she was also informed that
Mrs Cation would not take part, either,
and inasmuch as a lady treasurer was
necessary. Mrs. Smith asked that one
Mrs p. D. Armour is with US this af-
ternOOn," said a voice in the corner
do not see why a ball would not be just
as successful under her leadership as UNI
der that of some other people A.
Mrs. Palmer's friends smiled. and Mrs.
Cations admirers looked pleaseu. L ms
was a signal for more discussion. and Tor
five minutes arguments OF al klneS We're
presented At last Charles hutchinson
said.
I'VE must do something. What that
something is is hard to say In my
oDiniOn [ think it best for all concerned
that the patronesses of the last charity
ball be asked to hold a meeting and con
mis- suggestion he put in the form of a
motion and it was carried, and tomorrow
the former patrOnesseswll be asked 70
attend a meeting Saturday 1T was learn
ed that the only two open dates Ior the
Auditorium are January II and lS Many
of those present We're willing TO discuss
the situation
ter" said one Of the men At the NEE ing
II do not believe the ball viii be held
VIII we follow Mrs. Palmer or Mrs eaton
or will we leave them out altogether!
That is the question ,
This is a question which has aglta ted
Chica o'S Four Hundred for some time.
Tor five or six years a battle royal mas
been waved for social leadership IN chi
cago. there being three candidates LOT the
office Mrs Potter Palmer, Mrs Arthur
eaton and Mrs II. O. stone. UP to the
time Of the Worlds fair Mrs stone ran
society as she pleased. But with the Sc
lection of Mrs. Palmer as the hea0 OF the
yvornen's department of the fair the as
pect changed Mrs. Palmer went into the
front ranks almost at one bound, with
Mrs Cation close second.
To add to this pres tige. Mrs ia inner TOOK
a house at Newport There, by enter
tanning dukes and earls and lords and
nrinces. she felt that her fight had been
won at last. Now the friends of Mrs
Cation and Mrs. Stone have combined 70
overthrow the reign of Mrs. Palmer. II
the charity ball comes off and IS sue
cess they will have succeeded II II
doesn't they have lost