The San Francisco call., 1909-02-28
SPLINT[RS LANCE
ON SOCIAL RULES
Mrs. Darling, WOrsted in Tilt
With CoIOniaIs, Acts as
Own Press Agent
Meets lnexOrabIe Laws of Smart
Set When She Cast Her
Gage Into Lists

Mrs. John A Darling. who has ex-
.ercised her power OF. invective against
the colonial dances because an invita-
ton was refused at the last minute
Tor her friend. Mrs. John F. Swift. evil
oently did not realize that she would
oreak her lance against the iron clad
rules OF that organization when she
entered the jousting match with the
patrpnesses. In this feminine tourney
Development OF these modern
umes--the result was the victory of
nose strong in the knowledge of the
right of upholding the clauses of their
constitution and bylawS-or the fash
lQnable substitute for these-and Mrs
Darling could signify her wrathful dis
pleasure at being thus unhorsed only
dances.
JOINS THE COboNIALs
When Mrs. Darlins. who is : mem
ber Of an old Californian family. re-
turned TO San Francisco this winter
AFTER a long residence abroad she in
timated that she would like an invita-
non 70 become a member Of the Colo
malls. and her desire was gratifed II
was an understood thing, however. that
she would abide by the laws estab-
lished by the governing body.
In the leading dancing clubs Of San
Francisco il is a rule that no residents
OF the city or those living within 90
miles-in some instances even farther
away-shan receive guest cards. In
both the Greenways and the ColoniaIs
this rule has been strictly adhered to.
and cards are constantly refused
under it
As the time drew near for the nlardi
Erss dance OF the Colonisls, which took
q % Trafo o~ffr %
asked Mrs Swift to attend the affair
with her, and a day or two before the
bail sought Mrs. C. O. Alexander, who
has directed the club dances.
Mrs. Alexander. who has long been
3 friend Of both Mrs Darling and Mrs.
Swift, said she would DO her best to
secure the invitation for the latter and
consulted her patronesses. That august
body numbered %, as did the date OF
the dance. and that's what IT was for
Mrs. Darling. Her request was politely
but firmly refused.
WHO THEY WERE
The patronesses were. besides Mrs:
Alexander herself. Mrs. George Alner
Newhall, Mrs. James ". Keeney. Mrs.
George A. Pope. Mrs. Laurance Irving
Scott. Mrs William H. Croeker, Mrs.
Albert J. Dibblee. Mrs. Edward L. Eyre,
Mrs. Joseph d. Grant. Mrs. George H.
=
ert L. Coleman. Mrs Sidney b. Cushing.
Mrs. Joseph A Donohoe. Mrs. ]. A. Fol-
ger. Mrs Walter S. >obart Mrs. Sam
uel knight. Mrs. Walter S. Martin, Mrs.
William Mayo Newhaii. Mrs. Henry T.
Scott. Mrs. William Henry Taylor Jr..
Mrs Mountford s Wilson and Mrs.
Robert J. Woods.
IN the first instance a committee of
Eve or more passed on the lists sub
mitted for mem beFship and cut off
names @nercilessly. including some OF
those submitted by Mrs Alexander
who invented the dances herself Al
though the secret has peen closely
guarded and every one is. sworn to
keep IL. dark il has leaked, out that
three OF: this committee were Mrs. Jo-
~seph A.sDonoboe. Mrs. Sidney B. Cush-
ing and Mrs. Albert J. Dibblee. This
little. group Of patronesses gave up
their duties as soon as the original lists
were completed. however. and have be-
come merged in the. general governing
body.
LIMIT OF.THE LISTS
just which .patr6nesss.s were ap-
preached for their sanction for the
issuance OF a guest card contrary to
rules is not known. A number OF them
were out Of town. some in the east or
abroad, but several were seen and sim
ply reminded Mrs. Alexander that the
lists were closed 20 the residents OF
Greater san Francisco
Mrs. Darling was so annoyed at this
that she resigned at once; and as she
admits acted IS her own press agent
and secured publicity for the story.
AIRS. Swift was inclined yesterday TO
ignore the entire matter.
That story" she said. SIS true, but
am sure didn't care tuppence-ha
penny about going. and. I wish the
- l..
was no reason why / should have been
asked 10 the balls in the first place.
L live out Of town and don't care about
going out. Mrs. Darling. who lives al
the Stewart. just across 4he street from
the St Francis. asked me to dine with
her and 60 across to-. the Mardi Gras
dance. said j would If she wanted
me 10, but when had a note from her
saying that she was unable 20 get me a
card ] thought no more OF it. IN fact
never gave IL another thought until
he publication OF the article"
Mrs. Alexander said:
I was extremely sorry not TO be able
TO get the card for Mrs. Darling, but il
was one OF the strictest rules of the
club. and what could I do? / consulted
some OF the pstronesses and was unable
10 get 81. can do nothing in such a
matter myself. as i have no authority
70 90 beyond the rules Certainly II it
lad been possible. evers one would
have been delighted 70 have Mrs. Swift
IT the dance"
Yes said Mrs Darling i did re-
sign because Mrs. Swift was not asked.
10 club has any right TO make rules
such as that. or. III least there are GER
tain peopfe to whom they should never
be applied. consider Mrs. Swift one
~ the most notable and prominent
women in this half Of the world and
any one should have been delighted 10
send her card would not. have asked
for an Invitation for any ordinary per
son. but think they should have
broken the rules for Mrs. Swift