The Washington times., 1912-01-07
Members Of Diplomatic
Corps AL o Guests-Ban
on New Dances.


An interesting precedent was estab-
hshed by the Secretary Of State and
Mrs. Knox Thursday evening. when
they invited no less than four ambas-
sadors to meet the President ana Mrs.
Taft at dinner. the first In the annual
series given by Cabinet members for
the Chief Executive.
This was somewhat Of an innovation,
as heretofore the members of the Dipio-
matte Corps have met the President al
dinner only at the annual diplomatic
dinner at the white House.
There is an unwritten law that the
President and the First Lady. of the
Land shall not accept general invitations
They may dine formally only with the
vice President and at the homes of the
cabinet ministers, and never at an EN-.
oassy or legation, as these premises are
extraterritorial. Occasionally they have
Deen known to dine Informally with in
innate friends but these occasions have
been few and entirely unofficial.
Until the Roosevelt Administration.
there also was an unwritten law that
invitations to the Cabinet dinners to the
President should never 60 outside the
Presidents official family circle. This
made the functions somewhat mopoto-
nous affairs, and during the last regime
the ban on outsiders was raised some
what at the instigation of Mr.. Taft's
predecessor
Thus, in recent years, the President
mas found among the guests invited to
meet him at these dinners in his honor
at the homes Of his Cabinet ministers a
more heterogeneous company, compris-
Ing, In addition to distinguished states
men. men and women of note In the
world OF science and art, and Outlines
guests WHO have crossed the continent
for the occasion. ..
NOW, since the Secretary Of State and
MRS. Knox have broken the ice, and
invited members of the Diplomatic
Corps. these representatives of foreign
sovereigns and governments will no
doubt be. given opportunity to meet the
President at dinner at other similar &C.
casions.
Tuesday evening the first evening
function of state. the reception in
honor OF the Diplomatic Corps, will take
place at the White House. Invitations
Tor this reception. always the most bril-
liant of the series. went out Immediately
after the New Year reception Monday.
The death Of Rear Admiral Fighting
Bob" Evans last week hes cast a
shadow Of gloom over the festivities of
the season, particularly over the
Charity. Ball tomorrow night, of which
his daughter, Mrs. Harold Sewall, was
IN charge Of arrangements. and has
been one of the most enthusiastic pro-
motors. This is tho lig charity bali of
the season and Is as old an established
function as the Bachelors. Mrs. Sew
ais absence from the head Of the re-
SeivinG line will be deeply regretted.
Eer place will BE- taken by Mrs Horace
Westcott. whom she has designated as
her successor.
The President and Mrs. Taft are ex-
pected to occupy the main box in the
Tier created along The wall for those
who wish to attend as spectators of the
throng On the, ballroom floor
Announcer dance tomorrow evening will
be the first meeting of the Dancing
Club at the Playhouse since the holt
day season and many who will attend
there earlier in the evening, will look
In on the Charity Ball for few mo-
ments later.
Rather a positive edict has gone forth
from the mothers of the Younger dane
Ing contingent which is in its element
this season with dance every night,
forbidding In no. uncertain tones, the
popular new dances of the season That
this ban on the Turkey Trot," the
Grizzly Bear, and. the TEDDY Bear
will have its effect on the dignity Of the
ball tomorrow evening, there Is no
doubt. Fashionable, circles in Boston and
Philadelphia also have banished these
dances which have in the last week or
two SO scandalized the grand danes in
exclusive circles OF the National Capt.
A, committee Of young resident bach.
'eioFs IN the army, navy, and Marine
Corps, headed by Major Horton. have
returned their social obligations each
season with "a dinner dance at the
Chevy Chase Club to the matrons and
they are indebted; Last night their
PARTY was a delightful and successful
AFFAIR despite the Intense cold.
Lenten charity affairs already are
plans are now being laid is large kir-
mess for the benefit of the Junior Re-
public. in which 200 of the younger set
Will participate. 1t will be given in
planned series of national dances,
each complete in itself, SO that the
couples may rehearse privately indie
pendently of the entire program. They
are to he dances of all nations, headed
by 'chaperone and tho wives of the
ambassadors and ministers in the corps
are to be invited to act in such capacity
Tor the dancers representing their coun-
8H. and Mrs. Gilbert Grosvenor have
sent out invitations for dinner In
compliment to Miss Taft for January
Is. Last night Mr.. and Mrs. Grosvenor
had dining with them informally Mr..
RustimJe. the East Indian lecturer, and
Mrs. Rustimje, Mr.. and Mrs. Franklin
x. Lane. and Miss Scidmore.
d
/ Mrs. James c., Pilling and Miss Ruth
Pilling entertained at dinner last night,
asking their guests to meet DR.. and
Mrs" J. Rreckinridge Beyne. In the
company were Mr.. and Mrs. Reale
Bloomer. Lieut.. and Mrs. Alexander
Sharp, II. S. NJ. Miss Gertrude Greedy
Miss Leonora Finley. Captain Davis, DR..
William F. VI. Sewers. and DR.. A. C.
Stanley.
Mrs. Charles Russell Train entertained
a small company Informally at dinner
last night
Secretary of State
To Be Guest of Honor.
A banquet in honor of the Secretary
Of State will be given by the Commit
tee on Foreign Affairs Of the House OF
u apresentatiyes' at the Pan-Amertcan