The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-05-21

Washington May 2o-tSpecial.)-The
 President of the United States is a busy
 man, especially when Congress is in ses- sion. but President Taft recognizes that he owes social duties as well as political and like the conscientious gentleman he is finds time to perform the one as well as the other
 In fact the social side of the White House has been kept up to the highest traditions under the Taft regime, despite the fact that Mrs. Taft has not been In the best of health. Miss Helen Taft has been an invaluable aid to the social side of the family.
 Not only has MT. Taft taken time to grace the Horse Show, to entertain visit ing delegations of noted women, and to preside at the formal dinners which are a recognized part of the presidential du- ties, but he has on occasion attended the White House garden parties, which have been marked feature of the Washington spring season, and has more than once given informal dinners, which though un-
 official position and Is not above break
 As a matter of fact MT. Taft enjoys so- ciety and so al doings with whole hearted enjoyl-aent, which makes him most desirable host or guest, outside his O1llcal pOSltlOD dn0 IS Hol dpoNo piooh- ing through the rules of etiquette which of recent years have grown up about the presidential office. hedging in the chief
 executive almost as strongly and strictly as though he was head of a monarchy
 rather than of republic.
 | The first of the White House garden parties was held during May week. It will be remembered that while every first | lady of the land has had an especial place in her heart for the White House garden,
 1t Is only in the last few years that they
 have frequently been used for entertain ing Mrs. Mckinley entertained on the
 south portico, but her i'll health prevented
 her using the gardens very often. Dur ing President Harrisons term his wife
 and daughter gave one charming garden
 party on the lawns of the White House.
 Mrs. Roosevelt during the latter part of
 her residence in the White House, inaug-
 urated series of garden parties every
 spring. Mrs. Taft invited the Mozart club
 to sing at her first party and it was de- | lightful innovation. An interesting fea- ture of the party was the first official ap- pearance there of Mrs. Walter Fisher,
 wife of the new Secretary of the Interior,
 who has been detained in Chicago by the Hines of one of her children.
 | There is constant round of entertain
 ments at Washington at this season. Here are some of them of unusual interest: ] Mrs. E. H. Brooks entertained at a luncheon at the Chevy Chase club in com- pliment to MT. and Mrs. P. B. Wilcox of
 Portland, Ore, who are spending few
 days In Washington.
 Mrs. Steenerson, wife of Representative
 steenerson of Crockston, Mipn., was hostess at luncheon at the Cairo. l Miss Laura Merriam was hostess at luncheon at the Chevy Chase club in compliment to Miss Louise Cromwell,
 whose marriage to Walter Brooks of Bal timore Is to take place Miss Merriam
 was one of Miss Cromwelrs attendants. Miss Gladys Hinckley who also was
 one of the bridal party, entertained at dipner for Miss Cromwell and MT. and
 Mrs. Taft entertained at dinner at the
 Chevy Chase club for Miss Cromwell.
 Postmaster-General Frank Hitchcock
 entertained at a dinner of IA covers at the
 Chevy Chase club. in honor of Miss Helen Taft
 The announcement that Mrs. E.. B. Elk ins and Miss Katherine Elkins' are to sail for Europe next week for long sojourn abroad has renewed gossip about the pos sibility of a renewal of the Elkns-Ab- ruzzi engagement The death of Senator Elkins. 1t Is said in some quarters. has removed one of the obstacles to the mar riage of the West Virginia heiress to the Italian prince, the status Of the pride 5 family at the Italian court.
 The best impression, however, is that | the match is definitely off, and that the