The San Francisco call., 1910-07-06

w settlers is anybody in the national
four hundred2
That is rather big question for
any San franciscan to answer. but
from New York there comes the reply
of one who is getting out book on
the smart set of America. The book
will be known as The Ultra Fashion
able Peerage of America and will
include some 400 persons. only 80 of
whom make their homes outside of the
sacred precincts of New York and New
port. Just how many of the 80 hail
from the Pacific coast remains to be
seen.
Some years ago the author, C. w. de
Lyon Nichols of New York. who traces
his descent from Robert Bruce of Scot
land and the Earl of Stratmore and
Kinghorn, who married Lady Jane
Stuart. published his first book of the
same name. 1t created a storm of
furious protest, and many were the
caustic and sarcastic remarks hurled
who claimed equally as blue blood in
their veins and who hailed from places
outside of New York felt sighted that
they were not included in the list. and
the fact that his present volume will
have a revised list has set the fash
ton, etc, on the qui vive as to who
will be in the social ranks of the
union.
The news that some of the old names
have been blue penciled and others
added is another source of anxiety.
and every one is wondering who from
San Francisco will rank in the holy of
holies
Nichols has explained his position.
however. before the book has gone to
press. He says his list has not refer
ence to the fact as to whether a per-
son is of the social elect in his or her
own community, but whether he or she
belongs to the swell set of America.
The New York-Newport set is. in his
estimation, the ultimate test. and if
a person from the provinces" as he
terms San Francisco, Philadelphia.
washington, Boston or Chicago. has
the entree to that set, then he is a
member of the national smart set. In
speaking of his position Nichols said:
There are families in New York
al smart set. If they receive outsiders
into their drawing rooms at the enter
tainments such persons can truly be
said to belong to the national smart set.
This is made up of people who make a
fine art of social life. 1t is their pro-
fession. 1t takes an immense amount
of money to maintain the necessary
homes. equipages and retinues or serv-
ants, and hence it is really an aristoc-
raey Of millions. But money is not
the only controlling factor. To deter
mine who are in the set observation
of those who are received by the lead
ing New York society folk is all that
is necessary
Neither John D. Rockefeller nor An
drew Carnegie is included in the ma
tional smart set. according to Nichols,
nor Roosevelt, whom he terms in con-
Mr.. and Mrs. Anthony Drexel of Phila-
delphia he ranks as among the most
socially important people in America.
Who share the honors in San Fran
cisco remains to be seen.
If we consult Who's Who in Amer
lea" those fashionables who hail from
Hillsboro and Burlingame suddenly
pale into insignif1cance, for the only
name mentioned as a resident of the
exclusive boundary lines is William H.
Crocker. He will also undoubtedly
hold place in the national smart set
ters, as both he and his charming wife.
who was Miss Ethel Sperry, are as well
known in New York and Newport as
they are here.
Who's Who says of Crocker: Born
in Sacramento. Cal, January 13, 1851
Graduate of Phillips academy, Massa-
chusetts; Sheffield scientific academy.
Yale. Engaged in banking business
since 1888" and follows with a list of
the important positions and trusts he
has since held and the clubs TO which
he belongs.
Crocker was one of the sons Of
Charles Crocker and Mary Ann Dem
ing Crocker. His wife belongs TO the
Sperry family of stockton. Their
daughter, Miss Ethel, will be one of the
debutantes of the coming winter. The
Crocker home at Hillsboro is one Of
the most wonderful of the many show
places of that community.
If power in the state of their adop-
tion and social prestige locally and
abroad stand for anything. then the
Parrott family, with Mrs. Abby NJ. Par
rott at it's head, should have a place
in society annals Mrs. Parrott, who
received her education at an eastern
convent, came here as young girl TO