The daily morning journal and courier., 1906-06-16
ETIQUETTE IN WASHINGTON
QUESTION OF PRECE' sNCE IS
 STILL 4 BURNING ONE.

ner Invitations areR ealIy Commands.
 Shirt sleeve diplomacy may have come into fashion with Americans, but shirt sleeve etiquette has gone out. At Washington they now have a fairly good imitation of the social customs of other governments. On certain oc- casions at the White House no one sits while the President is standing. The lady whom the President is to take in to dinner is sometimes brought to him by an aide.
 At White House luncheons Mr. and Mrs. Roosevelt do not come in until all the guests have been assembled Often the former does not appear until tke others are standing behind their chairs at the table. His time is too precious to be spent waiting for guests to get together
 An invitation to dine at the White House, says Florence Howe Hall in Harper's Bazar. must be accepted. Any previous engagement must be can- celled. All invitations to the White House, even those for evening recep- tions, should be answered. One has ''the honor to accept them.
 Washington is the residence of the Diplomatcic Corps, and as its members take part in official functions these are of necessity conducted in the diplomatic way, which is that of Europe. By adapting it to their own use Americans have shown their good sense. We have saved ourselves the trouble of inventing a new method, which would hardly have been so good.
 The calling question is a complicated one. Minor officials cali first on higher ones, those longer ranking above those newly elected or appointed. As the wives must call also, and as all the visits must be returned, calling becomes one of the chief duties in life of the women whose husbands take public office here.
 If one should send cards instead of going in person one would be apt to give offence. A lady who attempted to clear off some of her social obliga- tions Tn this way was surprised by having the bits of pasteboard all re- turned to her. It is not permitted as yet to leave cards without asking whether the ladies are at home, but grows. It is already understood by diplomats and by many persons who are familiar with social usage in cities where less Spartan-code of etiquette prevails.
 Congressmen leave cards on one an- other at the Capitol, but these must be left at the private houses in order to command social Intercourse
 It is expected, and very properly that every one will call at the White House at the beginning of the season, and be- fore receiving any invitation to attend any of it's functions. Receptions are by no means monopolized by official so- ciety. "A clever lady, the wife of a we'll known Senator, said lately:
 Tn Washington everybody who pos- sesses front door and a pair of white gloves has a day 'at home,'
 The Congressional ladies who live in the same hotel often join forces and receive together. A basket bearing the name of each lady is suspended by a ribbon in the hall and guests leave their cards therein.
 There are many people at Washing ton, strangers for the most part 1t is to be hoped, who either do not understand the theory underlying this system of calling or take advantage of the general movement to go to houses where they have no right of entrance.
 A few years ago this evil reached its height. It has been somewhat aided by the wisdom of the hostess in giving fewer refreshments. The ladies of the Cabinet found 1t necessary to abandon their handsome spreads, as the chicken salad proved a formidable bait to the "idle and unemployed
 Outside of Official circles the older residents call first on newcomers and also on such officials as they desire to know.
 At the naional capital the question of precedence is burning one. All are willing to give the first place to the President, but who shall have the second.
 The question is further complicated by the claims of the Ambassadors. As, each of these is supposed to repre- sent the person of his sovereign, should they not follow directly after the Chief Executive? This is the opinion of the Diplomatic Corps.
 The supreme court remembers that 1t stands for the highest law in the land. Furthermore some of the Judges hold that the court is one and indivisible, They give first place to the Chief Jus tice, but think the others should fol- dow directly after him.
 Meantime to Americans t would seem as if the ViceIPresident should follow the President, especially as he Is also the head of the Senate. The Speaker of the House as the presiding officer of the popular branch of govern ment is very properly tenacious of his rights, which he feels to be those of the people The Cabinet and the Senate hold opposite views to which is the niger branch, and the question of precedence between them has never been definitely settled.
 If all this only concerned public oc- casions it would not disturb the peace ful currents of social life; but it affects all private entertainments at. which any man connected with social life, or his wife or daughters are present. Who shall have the highest place at the feast? Thesee questions forever stare the Washington hostess in the face.
 h making out her list she must be