The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-06-04
SOCIETY IN WASHINGTON
BY CONSTANCE CARRUTHERs

Washington, June 3--(Special.) )-Wash- ington society is indignant at it's arraign- ment as Sabbath-breaking aggregation by the Presbyterian General Assembly in session at Atlantic City. While 1t Is ad- mitted there is more or less Sunday en- tertaining in Washington, 1t is not to be blamed either on official or social Wash ington, which 1t Is claimed is as close in its Sabbath observance as is the society element in any city of the union.
 Sunday entertaining has become fea- ture in Washington society of late years in fact, since the new century began. The foreigners who come as members of the diplomatic corps introduced it. They were followed and helped by New Workers who have taken up their residence in Wash ington for the social seasons.
 Sunday festivities are not indulged in by the official and resident set in Wash ington, as rule True, there are some of both, as there are in all circles, who have exercised their individual tastes, but as class the officials are a church-going, conservative class. They hold to the teachings of their ancestors, and observe Sunday as day of church-going and rest from even the exertion of pleasure-seek- ing.
 The President and Mrs. Taft, as well as all their predecessors, are of the same mind The Vice President and Mrs. Sher- man are among those who never accept or extend Sunday invitations, nor do the other members of the cabinet and their 4 wives. s
 atives and Mrs. Champ Clark are -tlso of this class, as are Gen. John w. Foster, former Secretary of State and former special envoy to China and Mexico and his family: the Chief Justice and Mrs. Edward D. White, Mir. Justice and Mrs. Harlan, Mir Justice and Mrs McKenna, former Senator and Mrs. Aldrich, former Representative and Mrs. J. Van Vechten Olcott of New York, General and Mrs. Marshall, MT. and Mrs. Thomas Nelson Page, Mrs. Letter, Mrs. John Hay, Dr. and Mrs E. K Goldsborough, Rear Ad- miral and Mrs Schley, and Rear Admiral and Mrs Craig. The list might be extend cd indefinitely.
 Washington society feels, therefore, that 1t has not been fairly treated and the general assembly should make amends.
 One of the most interesting functions of the season will be the celebration on June. 19 of the silver wedding of the Pres ident and Mrs. Taft. I understand this anniversary will be celebrated rather quietly, but the distinguished couple will De CODSTdluldleQ by iuc pcOplo Ol tHe whole country. The Tafts are an ideal couple and their family life is typical of the old-fashioned American home.
 It has been a source of regret that Mrs. Tafts health should be in such state as to prevent her taking the part in social ac- tivities that she would have desired. Miss Helen Taft upon whom many of the so- cial duties of the White House have de- volved has shown herself fully competent for the task and is a most charming ana graceful hostess.
 A very interesting report is current in society to the effect that Maj Archie Butt, the Presidents military aide, is to win the heart and hand of Miss Lucy Her ron Laughlin, sister of Mrs. Taft, and that 1t is with this end in view the gal iant Georgian is having his house fixed up, and accommodating Georgia quilts and the like. There is no confirmation of the story, but it is regarded as not at all unlikely. If it should be true, Postmaster General Frank H. Hitchcock will soon be the sole prize bachelor of the administra- ton.
 The diplomatic corps is rapidly com peting its arrangements for the estab- lshment of summer capitals Here is the list so far as it has been definitely ar ranged. British, Bar Harbor French Manchester-by-t -the>Sea; German, Man chester-by-th Russian, Manchester by-the-Sea; Italian, Manchester-by-the-