Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-12-15
A REPUBLICAN COURT
Americas Most Brilliant So
ciety at the Capital.
VERSAILLES OF THE DAY
Ever-C Changing Drama Of Gold Lace
and Clanking Swords.
PEDIGREE DOESN'T COUNT
Wars Over Precedence That Disturb
the Social Order - New Show
Houses of the Season.

Copyright, 1906, by John Elfreth Watkins)
While the curtain rises on Washington
brilliant social drama always on New Year
day-nOt to be rung down again until Ash
Wednesdays prelude Is annually enacted
during December. when parents belonging
ITO the various lotteries or "sets" launch
into society daughters arriving at a matri-
monially marketable age. If the parental
home is not sufficiently ostentatious for the
ceremony the debut may take place in q
public hall. In fact. there is a Washington
caterer who makes a speciality of hiring
for these society launchings his upper
apartments. including ball room.
Washington has been aptly called 1.-The
Versailles of the twentieth century" 1t
is not only the seat of government, but
has long ago surpassed Boston as the
hub of culture. and Is now ecllpsing the
metropolis itself in social brilliance and
splendor. Each social season 1t draws to
itself more and more of the millionaires
and geniuses Of our great cities, east and
west. From New York 1t has lately at
tracted not only such men of wealth as
Thomas F. Ryan and Perry Belmont, put
the George Vanderbilts. who have Just
taken a colonial house in New Hamp-
shire avenue. Mrs. Van Rensselaer, Cruger
is another of the four hundred who has
deserted New York for the more brilliant
society Of the capital. Chicago has con-
tributed the Letters and Pattersons, both
The immensely wealthy LATE Andersons
have turned their backs upon Boston and
have built veritable palace In the capital,
as have such millionaires as Thomas F.
Walsh, Mrs. Reginald de koven, Mrs
Richard Townsend. the Boardmans, Huide-
kopers, Westinghouse and many others
from all corners of the continent.
Seasons New Palaces.
The most magnificent Of this seasons
new winter palaces will be the Italian villa
lust leased at a high figure by Oscar Straus
of New York. the wealthy Jewish diplomat,
who has just been appointed Secretary OF
Commerce and Labor. This mansion, just
completed by former Senator John B. Hen
derson is generally known as the Venetian
palace" the architecture being suggestive
of the Cavalli Pellazzo. 1t stands just
north of Henderson CASTLE" browning 18th
street hill. 1t is said to have cost $4,000
The base is Of white marble and the upper
facades Of tinted cement stucco, and the
trimmings and numerous balconies Of white
unelazed terra Gotta. A handsomely pam
eled ball room on the ground floor Is
fanked by reception rooms. while above
are a magnificent Louis XIV drawing room,
library, dining room and tea rooms. which
will doubtless display the collections of
oriental rugs. draperies and articles OF
Virtu which the eX-m1n1Ster is SAID 10 nave
amassed during his two terms at the court
of the Sultan of Turkey
Another pretentious mansion whose COM
pletion is being fastened for the coming
social season is the apostolic delegate
residence as it will be officially called. al
though popularity dubbed the papal legation.
Here will dwell the pope's representative In
America, Monsgnor Diomede Falconio.
archbishop of Acerenza and Matera. The
building is of the Italian style, built of
white sandstone and costing about $4,000.
On the first floor are large drawing rooms.
reception rooms and dining room, while
above monsignor will have his unpreten-
tious bed chamber. his offices, guests
chambers and chapel. the latter's white
marble altar. exquisitely carved, having
lust arrived from one of the studios of the
Eternal City The apostolic delegate Is
man of great culture. He was born In
Abruzzi Italy. took the cassock of Fran
ciscan friar. became an American citizen
while in this country from 1865 until 1877.
and has since been stationed in various
parts Of the old and new worlds. Although
the pope's delegate to this country, he has
never sought any diplomatic status with
our government.
The Various Social Sets.
Washington society is kaleidoscope
whose brilliant vari-colored elements are
being constantly rearranged by the worlds
rulers While our President is continually
changing his list of high officials. the SOW
ereigns of foreign countries are revising