The Washington herald., 1908-03-08
BY PEGGY LITTLETON.

a Iuil IN the Social teu0 WHICH ms TdScu
in official circles at Washington this win
ter. and the women OF the Cabinet, who
have engaged in open rivalry and war
fare. may lay down their weapons and re-
feet during the weeks of penance and
prayer upon their respective successes
and defeats.
The rivalry which has marked the round
of entertainments has been an interesting
feature OF the winter, and. no matter how
much advocates Of simplicity may deplore
such social strife, II has been the means
of bringing to Washington more distin-
guished personages than had graced the
society of the Capital in many years.
Some of the Cabinet dinners. which for
merly were sort of family affairs. have
this winter amounted almost 10 inter-
national functions.
For this change Of spirit which has
come over the social amenities of the Cab
met circle, Mrs. George Won L. Meyer. the
wife Of the Postmaster General. is largely
responsible. Fresh from a successful So
cial career at some of the principal courts
OF Europe. Mrs. Meyer has entertained in
Washington on a scale that has been at
once the wonder and the despair of the
other Cabinet women. Naturally. there
have been jealousies and heart-burnings
First there was awe among her col
leagues; then came the feud.
Time was when this interesting group
of women gathered In old-fashioned
neighborly manner to discuss pleasantries
and idly gossip over an afternoon cup Of
tea, but that custom is as obsolete as the
one OF borrowing china, silver, and other
household accessories. The love of gilt
ter. which is natural I'm human kind, and
the love Of power. also one Of natures
attributes have usurped the place gem
orally accorded 10 kindness Of feeling.
Paid on Old Scores.
The older and more dignifed women In
the Cabinet have dispensed their social
obligations with quiet self-reliance, only
jealousy TO creep TO the surface; but not
so with some of the younger and more
ambitious. The spirit OF warfare in the
Meyer faction has not confined itself to
the Cabinet circle alone, however but in
the flush of triumph means were taken
to pay off old scores for grievances
against colleagues in the diplomatic serv-
ice, and the old feud between former Am
bassador William F. Draper and the Mey-
ers was revived when they invited MIR.
and Mr.. Eben Draper to washington TO
be present at the Presidential dinner, and
to be entertained AZ the White House as
well. The acceptance Of the Diapers and
their presence at these entertainments
served to demonstrate the power Of the
Meyers. and AT the same time strained
even more the already unpleasant re-
lations existing between the Draper
brothers.
When Washington was AT the height
Of the social season. and White House
functions and Cabinet dinners marked
the official entertaining of every week.
COurtesies were exchanged between the
President and Mrs. Roosevelt and the
Cabinet family circle. and rivalry be
tween the Cabinet women TO excel in
spiendor Of appointment and brilliance of
entertaining was at high tide. Each
hostess donned her most elegant toilette
and devoted her best efforts to the sue
cess of the Presidential dinner
In the round Of Presidential dinners each
woman had an inning and an opportunity
10 assert her individuality, and therein
lies the keynote TO the social power of
madame. for though the duties OF the
office are conducted by the lord and
master. 10 the woman of the household
falls the privilege Of selecting the greater
number Of the guests and the President s
dinner is always one OF the lists publish
rd. that the public may be acquainted
with the names OF the honored few.
Palm Goes to the Meyers.
The Secretary of State and Mrs. RoJt
opened their hearts and pocketbooks. as
well as the portals of their dignified and
exclusive mansion. and dined a very
smart assemblage Of people on the oc-
casion of the Presidents dinner. The
Secretary OF the Treasury and Mrs. Cor
telyou dispensed their official hospltalities
in a maner beftting the guests of honor.
and Secretary Of the Navy and Mrs. Met
calf called guests from far California to
break bread and crack jokes with the
Chief Executive. The Attorney General
and Mrs. BOnaparte invited, besides a
few very smart Washingtonians. a note
worthy party Of Baltimoreans and some
distinguished persons from other cities. to
meet the President and Mrs. Roosevelt.
and the entertainment, in every particular
one of quiet elegance, was as eminently
correct and unobtrusive as is the manner
Of life affected by the Bonapartes during
their sojourn in Washington on the as
sumption that their importance need not
be heraided.
To the Postmaster General and Mrs
Meyer. however. the honor must be ac-
corded of having dined the most brilliant
assemblage Of persons who have gathered
at any private residence during the sea
son. New York was represented by some
OF the multi-mlllionaire contingent. and
the presence OF several members OF for
eign nobility added a very attractive
glamour 70 the affair.
As the Cabinet women OF to-day are re-
viewed. Mrs. Meyer stands pre-eminent
in point of personal appearance and social
prestige. She holds a high head and
handles affairs with high hand; and
Mrs Meyer is not the most popular wom-
an in the Cabinet. She assumed her off,
cial role in Washington on a purely pro-
fessional footing, and, in so far as it was
possible. eliminated from her routine all
forms OF official courtesies not absolutely
incumbent upon her In the receiving
line at the White House receptions Mrs
Meyer rises to the occasion with proper
and imposing hauteur. and all that the
costumer's art can do to supplement M.
ture TO the end Of giving the air OF the
grande dame is evident She sweeps into
place with a JunoesqUe stride and ac-
knowledges greetings with icy mien anC
condescending dignity. Upon her arrival
In Washington TO assume the duties OF
the Cabinet position. Mrs. Meyer threw
cold water in the face of the Capital
City by the announcement that she would
do no calling. and. though Mrs Meyer
was duly called upon, she has adhered to
her resolution 10 keep society and Official
dom at their proper distance.
Rendezvous of Celebrities.
The Meyer residence. the rendezvous for
all visiting celebrities boasts of more dis
tlnguished house guests than anv dwell