The San Francisco call., 1905-06-25
Greed of American Woman
Prominent in English
AristOcratic Circles May
Lead to Her Exposure
TURNS HER STANDING
AT COURT TO PROFIT
One Hundred Thousand Dol
lars Charged for Giving
Wealthy Visitors Entry
Into Homes of the Elect
Special Dispatch to The Call.

l.
LONDON, June 24.-If a certain Lon
don florist should carry out his present
intention of bringing suit against IA
nous American hostess in Mayfair one
of the most sensational law suits of re-
cent years is likely to ensue.
The inevitable result would be a COM
plete exposure of the manner in which.
for several years, the lady in question
has traded systematically upon the
unique social position which she occu-
pies here. One of the few American
hostesses in London who enjoy the per-
sonal friendship of Queen Alexandra
and other feminine members OF the
royal family, she utilizes this social ad-
vantage by making a regular business
of boosting" rich Americans, whose So
cial position at home is uncertain, into
the charged circle of London swelldom
OF course, the Queen and the other
royal women have no idea that their
agreeable American acquaintance thus
makes use of their good will for the
benefit OF her own pocket. That she
does so, however, is generally under
stood in society-so well understood, in
fact, that the exorbitance of this host
ess' terms for assisting American social
climbers and the really astonishing way
in which she makes every step of the
business produce a big profit are sub
jects of frequent comment.
1t is said that her charge for COM
pletely launching q newcomer in Lon
don society is 100000. Moreover, the
lady makes it an invariable condition
that her clients should patronize certain
tradesmen indicated by her, with whom.
of course. she has arranged for a
rake-off on the profits. AT present
she enjoys a practical monopoly in her
particular line, and thus has been in a
position to dictate terms to the various
silversmiths stationers, caterers. ETC.,
whom she recommends her clients to
patronize.
AFFLUENCE LEADS TO GREED.
Heretofore the commission demanded
by her was so per cent of the profits
and If she had remained satisfied with
this uncommonly stiff rate all would
have been we'll Not long ago, however
''The Great Introducer." as she has been
dubbed In social circles, served notice
on all the purveyors with whom she had
business relations to the effect that
thereafter her share of the profits must
be go per cent.
This ultimatum led to the revolt of
the florist already mentioned. who is
one of the best known in the West End
of London. He sent in bill on the
original terms, which the American
court favorite has so far refused to pay
and declares that unless his demands
are met the matter will be brought
into court and the whole business
aired" Generally speaking. of course,
the bills of rich Americans who are be-
ing foisted upon London society in this
way are sent direct to them, and the
fashionable go-betweens commission is
paid to her when the account is settled
Quite often. however. when one of her
clients is desrious of giving a big
function the .Introducer" undertakes
to place all the necessary orders and
pay all the bills. with the understand
Ing, of course. that the actual hostess
shall reimburse her on being apprized
of the net cost. The now recaleitrant
florist was dealt with in this way, and
herein lies the strength of his case, the
American "Introducer" appearing in his
books as the actual debtor and not her
guileless client.
Probably the case will not be al
lowed to come into court-the scandal
would be too great. The florists threat,
however has got noised about in the
inner circles of swelldom and many
who have paid their money for May
fair favoritism are in terror lest they
may be obliged to testify to that effect
In the witness box. In case the suit
should actually be brought there is