The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1902-03-20
FOR LEADER.
Battle Royal is Promised in
Newport Society.

There seems no doubt now but that ono
OF tho features OF the coming Newport
season viii be battle royal between
young Mrs. Cornelius Vanderbilt and
young Mrs. John Jacob Astor for the posi-
ton OF social leader among the younger
set
The rental OF a Newport villa last
week by Colonel John Jacob Astor has
been the cause OF "A great iutter from
New York "a Palm Beach, inasmuch as
he had never done such "A thing before.
and because, too both the homes OF his
mother. Mrs William Astor ana 0f his
mother-iu-law. Mrs Edward 5. Willing.
are still open TO him and Mrs Astor
Naturally the incident has occasioned
no end OF comment and the deduction
that has been made is that young Mrs.
Astor, very much concerned. If nothing
more, at young Mrs. Nanderbilts sue
cess as an entertainer, purposes la future
10 force her at least 20 divide honors
with her
This could not be done without sum
mer home OF her own. hence the renting
by Colonel Astor OF the Hodgson cottage.
which, by the way, is one of the finest in
all Newport.
An this. OF course. has reference To the
future when Mrs. William Astor. for
long time the acknowledged leader OF
SocitR III America. Shdn nave retlreu,
Obviously IL should be either an Astor
or Vanderbilt who viii succeed TO the
leadership, ana doubtless young Mrs.
Astor feels that young Mrs. Vanderbilt.
who gave here last summer some OF the
most lavish entertainments that any New
port season has ever known, might, with
the aid of such functions get into a posi-
tion from which IL would be impossible 10
dslodge her later on when the real
struggle comes.
So young Mrs. Astor. who, heretofore.
by reason OF being without "A summer
home here. has been Obliged To conhne
her entertaining TO her husbands yacht.
will next season give within the walls
OF the Hodgson villa "A series OF dinners,
dances and luncheons that will astonish
her friends and will be the talk OF society
for many day.
Just how the struggle will end no one
can conjecture. Both women have un-
limited means at their disposal and each
Is the personifcation of grace and beauty.
OF the two husbands. who would seem
TO be concerned 1t is doubtful If Colonel
Astor would take a very active part in
the proceedings, as his mind rather runs
along the line OF mechanic and scientific
pursuits.
On the other hand, young Mr.. Wander
bit, who can never forget the terms of
his fathers will, which made his younger
brother, Alfred, in a certain sense. head
OF the house. is likely TO join his Wife
in her every effort. Mrs. Vanderbilt will
also have the aid OF the Wilson's and
the Goelets. but probably none the less
will young Mrs. Astor.
Mrs. Vanderbilt gave here last season
every kind OF an entertainment imagi-
nable, including the presentation OF an
original play. Next year she can do
nothing less and Mrs. Astor must do as
much. Consequently the gayest summer
ever known seems in store for Newport
and those OF it's summer patrons who are
on the visiting lists of the two young
women.
Mrs Vanderbilt will again occupy lively
Beaulieu. the famous William Waldorf
Astor place Both families arrive here
early i'm June. soon after the coronation
of King Edward. and the merry war Will
probably be declared fortnight later.