The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1907-03-15
CAPITAL A CITY OF EPICURES
Washington Becomes Noted as Being
Wilder Than Paris.

WASHINGTON, D. c.. March $50
cial Washington has taken on an unusual
phase this winter, which attracts atten-
tion by force OF contrast. A conservative
estimate OF the amount OF money spent
In the last three months on dinners, pub
lie and private Tould reach o3 dnhrs hgh into
has been the widest winter in the his
tory Of the national capital for epicures
and no expense has been spared TO mako
these feaBts extraordinary In their char.
acter and each an event to be remem-
bered.
Famous diners -out-and there are
many of them In Washington of cos
mopolltan character-are authority for
the statement that Washington this win
ter has far outstripped the great French
capital and New York in the sumptuous-
ness of its feasts. the perfection of their
appointments and the extravaganza Of
the hosts. The world has been searched
for viands and wines and the wit OF the
country has been drawn upon TO provide
intellectual treats which have rivaled the
more material entertainment Only the
extravaganza OF Congress itself has eN-
ers and 1t Is by no means certain that
the lavishness of the one has not had
It's effect on the other.
The general prosperity Of the country
is undoubtedly largely responsible for the
number OF dinners given this winter In
Washington, Social obligations have been
responsible for many more; candidates
for office and persons interested in legis-
lation have contributed their share. No
effort has been spared to make many of
these dinners unique either In decora-
tions or the sumptuousness OF the feast
spread for the guests On many occa-
sions stunts of comlcal character
have interspersed the heavy menus and
the toasts until the capital city has gone
Another reason for the enormous In
crease in entertainment is the growing
number OF wealthy men In Congress who
arc financially able to do pretty much as
they please in social matters. The ball
once set rolling by one OF them has re-
suited in a round OF famous dinners.
days when Rome was In IT'S zenith and
the elegance OF the ancient empire was
won't to gather Mt the festive board for
relaxation and enjoyment.
II has become the custom for promi-
nent men all over the country to come
10 Washington for these great dinners,
Hosts are as prone TO seek their pres
ence AS an additional attraction for their
social events as they are to ransack the
market places OF distant countries for
delicacies for their tables In this re-
spect the capital is gradually becoming
the hub OF the country. where captains
of industry and the legislators OF the
country can sit down together and forget
their daily routine.
Occasions OF this kind have developed
famous hosts and are singing out men In
Washington noted for their hospitality.
Many OF them are becoming chronic en-
tertainers, giving an occasional public or
semi public dinner, TO which invitations
arc more or less generally distributed, and
in the meantime giving private dinners 10
provide an ordinary family with food and
drink for a whole year. The corridors OF
the big hotels are nightly crowded with
men OF high SOCIAL position taking their
such as would make Clay. Webster, Cal
houn and men OF their day gaze with as
tonishment. Washington is no longer a
provincial city, II is becoming real, live
capital OF q great nation.
There are in Congress itself bon vivants
and wits whose presence is in constant
demand at these dinners. Represen tative
Joseph Sibey of Pennsylvania, whose en-
tertaining talks on his experience as a
diner-o were recently published In these
columns Is only one OF many. Mr.. Sib-
ley reached the conclusion that member
of Congress might accept social courtesies
In moderation without fear OF shrking his
no member of Congress could ever hope
10 reach a high position as a statesman
who made it his business to attend to So
cial duties only Mr. Sibley is leaving
but never in his experience has there
beeen such winter as this one In Wash
ington on Its social side,
II has come TO be an accepted political
axiom in the United States that the
Constitution follows the flag" In Wash
ington ~ has become quetsion with
many whether the physical constitution
can follow the pace OF the high livers
who seem to have captured IT.
A deficit in the treasury OF the United
year by the chairman OF the House Com
mittee on Appropriations, II continued
might precipitate deficit In the pockets
OF some of the capitals most successful
social lights, but until that deficit is def
nitely reached it seems highly probable
that the national capital is launched
upon a sea of social extravaganza which
bids fair 10 make IL the Mecca OF the So
cial elite of The country, II not of the uni
verse.