The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-11-29

A new session of congress means proba- bly, more to the life of the national capi- tai than any other event in it's history. It means the gathering of a body of rep resentative men, the opening of an inter- esting campaign on Capital Hill, the birth of new social season and the re- petition of many happy events that mark each session of the two houses.
 While political significance takes pre- eedence, there are other, though lesser features of the session that appeal not only to Washingtonians, but to people tn all parts of the country. Chief among these is the social side of the session.
 A winter in Washington What charms it has for the social asplrant whose lot 1t is to remain miles away from the capital, to hear of the people she used to know attending affairs at the White House and other distinguished social centersl To the man or woman who shines resplendent in the social sphere "at home" there is a strong desire to occupy a higher place even in society at Washington; to mix with the chosen few included on the White House list; to rub elbows with cabinet members and to call leaders of the social clique by their Christian names
 It may be a shock though an interest," ing one to these same social aspirants to know that 1t is all easy or accomplish ment and may be operated to ones own advantage by the cold outlay of green goods" The statement may come as cruel blow to some family tree-loving, socia-ladder- climbing spirit, but, never theless, that is precisely the medium through which many a social leader has reached and held her goal.
 In the theatrical business there is an energetic gentleman whose mission lies in telling the public all about star or a play The manner of means employed count for little, so long IS the gentle man succeeds in getting his star or play name in print He is known as the press agent, and without him the greatest star in the business could not do a "ten, twenty, thirty business.
 The dramatic world, however, has no monopoly on this individuals talent and he finds quite a lucrative field in the so- cial world. Without him. more than one millionaire would be compelled to "go back to the mines' and contributions from the trade world would prove drag on the market. The existence of the so- cial press agent is. by no means, a myth, and no city is so well supplied as the capital of the nation. The methods are simple efforts small, and it's only in knowing the way. If he can only work the daily papers of the capital and those of other cities, his game is won.
 A new member is elected to congress. His family is unknown and without the apparent means of taking a prominent place in the social world at Washington. Just when his hopes of success as a real host are about to vanish, he receives letter from Washington that reads:
 My Dear MT Blank:-We beg to offer our services in procuring for you and your family a position In the social world at Washington. Knowing that, hereto fore, you have been identified with an- other section of the country and that in coming to congress you come among a strange people, we are in a position for a consideration, to place you and your family on footing with those who at tend only the exclusive affairs. Your en- tertainments will be given space not only in the Washington and New York papers, but special dispatches will be sent to brought prominently to the notice of your constituents. Very truly yours.
 John Smith. Smith-Jones Press Service"
 The press service is ordered to get to work and some months later the people of his district stand in awe of MT. Blank and his family. They no longer speak of him as old Jake Blank" When the session is over and the family goes home for few weeks before sailing for Eu-