Evening star., 1909-04-18
ASSEMBLE IN GROUPS
ABOUT HOTEL LOBBIES
Members Of Organization Discuss
Coming Election.
PUBLIC SEEMS INTERESTED
Choice Must Be Made Between Two
Candidates for President General,
Each Representing a Faction.
Scenes and Incidents.


of the principal hotels of Washington
were crowded last night with handsomely
gowned women who are in this city to
attend the congress of the Daughters
of the American Revolution, which will
be convened in Continental Hall tomor-
row morning. The New Willard was per-
| haps the scene of greatest activity. and
until a late hour last night groups of
discussed the affairs of the association.
The principal topics naturally were the
coming election of national officers and
the reception rendered by Mrs. James S.
| the United States. to the Daughters yes
terday afternoon, when Mrs. Story of New
York, one of the candidates for president
general, was the guest of honor.
Not since the memorable election four
years ago. when Mrs. Donald Mclean
was chosen president general, have the
daughters been so keenly interested in
the politics of their society as they are
this year. Having served two successive
tCihiS lWo yCdIS SdIu XhIS. MCLcdH
is no longer eligible for the highest Of
flee in the gift of the Daughters. and re-
tires this year by operation of the So
cietys law.
Must Choose Between Factions.
In the selection of her successor the
delegates to the congress must choose
between two factions, the line Of demar-
cation being clearly drawn. Like poll
ticians of the male persuasion, the
Daughters adopt political terms in speak
ing Of their election affairs. Hence there
is an administration candidate" and an
administration candidate. The
administration candidate y so called be-
cause she Is supported by Mrs. Mclean
and other Daughters now holding offdce
She is Mrs. Matthew T. Scott Of Illinois.
The anti-administration candidate, Mrs.
Wiiliam Cummings Story OF New
sympathy with Mrs. Mclean and who,
since the announcement has gained con-
siderable following among Daughters who
are Independently inclined, but who are
supporting Mrs. Story, not because they
dislike Mrs. Mclean or Mrs. Scott. but
because they think that a retiring presi-
dent should not participate in the election
of her successor or attempt to influence II
in any manner.
No end Of a stir was caused among the
Daughters by Mrs. Shermans reception
yesterday afternoon. The invitation cards
! stated that the reception was to the
Daughters and that they were invited to
meet Mrs. Story. This aroused the an
! tagonism of Mrs. Mclean, who declined
the invitation sent her and announced
publicly that she would not attend the re-
kception.
Position Of Mrs. Mclean.
Mrs. Mclean has made no secret Of her
20 3v, he opA
statement that she did not care to go to
meet Mrs. Story. The invitation of Mrs.
Sherman was declined by Mrs. Scott also.
but Mrs. Scott merely stated that prior
engagements prevented her from accept
ing.
The basis of Mrs. McLean's resentment,
1t Is understood, Is feeling that 1t was
improper for Mrs. Sherman, as the wife
of a prominent government official, to
even give the appearance Of favOring one
or another of the candidates for the pres
idency of the d. A. R. by holding a re-
ception in her honor. Mrs. Mclean felt.
II is said. that Mrs. Sherman's action was
slight to her.
Many Of the Daughters who have not
taken sides in the controversy incline to
the belief that Mrs. Sherman knew Of the
strained relations between Mrs. Mclean
and Mrs. Story, which grew originally out
of troubles that occurred in the New
York chapter of the Daughters, OF which
both Mrs Mclean and Mrs. Story are
members, and that In giving reception
in her honor Mrs. Sherman intended to
show clearly her preference for Mrs.
Story.
What Mrs. Story's Friends Say. !
On the other hand, ii is charged by
Mrs. Story's friends that Mrs. Mclean
has, since she became president general
slighted Mrs. Story in a manner unneces-
sary and unprecedented. A case In point
that Is cited by Mrs. Storys adherents
is Mrs. McLean's failure to appoint Mrs.
Story a member of the committee on Con-
tinerital Hall. All state regents are sup
posed to be appointed to this committee.
such appointment being one of the honors
which go, by tradition and custom, with
state regencies. But Mrs. Story, who
was state regent Of New York. was not
appointed.
Some OF Mrs McLean's friends say
1 they wanted to support Mrs. Scott, and
would have been glad to do so had Mrs.
Scott agreed TO do without the active
support Of some of the Daughters VINO
| fought so valiantly and so vigorously for
\ Mrs Mclean four years ago. These
4 Daughters have been most active In the
politics of the society. and the element
which desires TO keep down factional
\ fights as much as possible Is anxious to
4 see them eliminated this time.
/ But Mrs. Scott. It Is said. declined to
throw the good political workers over.
Having accepted the support of the adj
ministration forces. Mrs. Scott will. 1t Is
thought. stand by even those who are un-
popular with many OF the Daughters be-
cause OF their disposition to make things
| lively at election times.
Big Attendance at Reception.
Most of the Daughters attended Mrs.
Sherman's reception yesterday, taking the
ground that as the reception was to the
Daughters they had no right to take sides
in the controversy Many Of Mrs. Nc
Leans strongest adherents were present
The reception which was held at 8
o'clock in the cabinet room of the New
Willard was brilliant affair. The
room was beautifully decorated with ros IS
and lilies for the occasion. A stringed
orchestra played throughout the recep-
tion. Mrs. Sherman in a becoming gown
of gray embroidered chiffon satin and a
Continued on Fifth Rage)