The Irish standard., 1910-05-07
Diplomats Are Sticklers on
Table Etiquette.
A salon to be Introduced by
Alice Longworth.
Inquiry Into Cost of Living
by the Senate.
Special to the Irish Standard.

created mild sensation by dismiss
ing her social secretary, Miss Mary
cambridge spiers. after two weeks
service.
The only reason thus far assigned
by the interested social world is that
Miss Spiers was not "up" in interna-
tional social etiquette, for the men,
bers of the diplomatic corps are in
deed sticklers on etiquette to say moth
ing of few of our own dgntares
That is, the members Of the foreign
delegation, as we'll as our own justices,
senators, cabinet officers, ETC., are will
ing to stir up an awful row, and in a
remarkably short space of time, if they
are not seated at table in exact ac-
icordance with their official rank and
station. They justify their sensitive
ness as to "precedence and seats of
honor with the explanation that while
they are somewhat Indifferent as in
dividuals, the dignity of their offices
requires them to insist upon recegni-
ton such as they are officially entitled
to. This they will have, even though
it is necessary to resort to arms.
Uncle Joe" Cannon is one OF our
own great men who insist upon every
thing that is coming to them in the
way of social honors. The speaker
refused to attend banquet recently
Ia r0f fo1
at the banquet table.
An amusing story is told of a west
ern senator who invited all the dip
lomats and dignitaries to dine with
him on the same evening.
When he went to the state depart
ment to ask advice about seating his
guests he was told that the puzzle
could not be worked out without CIV
ing offense to some one, and the only
course left for him to pursue was to
fall i'll and recall his invitations
Washington society is on the qui-
vive, for gentle rumor has floated
forth that we are, to have a "salon,"
to be presided over by no less d grande
dame than Mrs. Longworth.
1t will not be surprise to those
who have watched the spectacular So
cial career Of Alice Roosevelt Long
worth to learn that she intends to in
troduce in Washington, Americas real
social center, a salon, copied after
those with which Paris dazzled the
world during the seventeenth and
eighteenth centuries.
Mrs. Longworth has several of the
requisites essential to the success of
such a unique social enterprise, such
as wit, spirit, position and wealth.
Just which class of the French sa-
Ion Mrs. Longworth will reproduce
not known, but it is probable that of
Madame de Stael would be most popu-
lar in our American capital, for this
famous French drawing room was the
rendezvous of politicians and" states
men. De Custine described it as "the
mirror in which we see reflected the
spirit of the times" .
He refers to it again as being more
instructive than many books and gay
err than many comedies" "Who?" 11e
asks, would labor so idly as to search
in books for the knowledge which is
here so alluringly learned?
Your correspondent has just consult.
Z ed her French dictionary and finds the
meaning Of the word Salon to be q
spacious hall; a meeting place fol
statesmen, men of letters and artists;
< a social headquarters.
Senator VIM. ]. Stone of Missouri
believes that the inquiry now being
" made by the Senate committee into
the cost of living is a ''mock investi.
cation" organized for the sole purpose
Of acquitting the Payne ldrich tariff
\ of responsibility for higher prices.
igS Senator Stone is not the only mem.
Der of Congress who entertains sucl
~, q belief, because as a matter of fac
no one conversant with the tactics o
Aldrich entertains any other though
4 than that the Investigating commit.
tee" will whitewash the new tariff law
The Missouri senator however, wen
further than anyone else in exposing
the resolution of Senator Lodge pro.
"a Yiding for an appropriation Of $65,0Ol
TO- broaden the scope of the enquiry
The personnel of the investigating
committee, together with the circum
stances attending the creating of tn,
body, indicate what the verdict will
a. be.
Senator Lodge of Massachusetts