The Washington times., 1912-04-21
Many Functions Indefinite
ly Postponed Because
Of Deaths.

Social activities in washington have
been practically suspended for the last
few days because of the recent tragedy
of the seas, and the National Capital
Is in semi-mourning for Major Butt,
the Presidents popular aide, and Clar-
ence Moore
Never before has there been such a
universal and spontaneous demonstra-
ton of sorrow and sympathy. Invita-
tions to dinner parties and other func-
tions are being recalled right and left
by fashionable hostesses. AS a mark
Of respect to the gallant and chivalrous
aide to the President, the White House
house party Of young people has
dlsbanded, and all their social engage
ments have been Cancelled.
The big dinner and dance which Mrs.
Richard Townsend was to have given
for Miss Taft and her own house guest,
Mrs. Z. r. Thomas, of New York. on
Wednesday evening was the first func-
ton for which the invitations were re-
called. Immediately afterward the
Chevy Chase Hunt ball, always one Of
the most brilliant events of the spring
season, was indefinitely postponed.
. This ball was to have taken place last
night, and Mrs. Taft was to have re-
ceived the guests for the committee,
which included Major Butt and Mr..
Moore. Mr.. Moore had been for years
the master of the hounds OF the club
and his wife, now prostrated with
grief at their handsome home here. has
often acted as hostess on this occasion.
Another tribute to the dead. occa-
stoned by the general atmosphere NJ
gloom pervading the city because Of the
disaster, was the abandonment Of the
plans for the society circus. arranged
for the last of this coming week for the
beenfit of the Washington Diet Kitchen
This would have been one Of the most
spectacular performances for the heneht
Of charity ever given in Washington.
Plans had been made for a number
Of prominent society maids and ma
irons. and an equal number Of men tn
astonish their friends with hair-raisine
feats. All the performers, musicians.
and clowns had been recruited from tho
ranks Of the exclusive set. and a bevv
OF attractive young girls had Arranged |.
to sell peanuts and popcorn.
Miss Helen Taft was to have been one
Of the star performers on horseback.
leading seven associates through aI
mounted quadrille. The other girls. all
Of whom have devoted manv hours of
ment OF this feat were the Misses
Meyer. daughters Of the Secretary of
the Navy and Mrs. Meyer: Miss Dor
othy Williams. sister of Mrs. JoserI,
Letter; Miss Laura Merriam, Miss Mar
garet Draper, and Miss Jeannette Alien.
Another prominent girl OF the armv
set. far-famed as horsewoman. was to
have electrified her friends by an exhi-
bition OF bareback riding, jumping
through hoops. leaping hurdles. and all |
the other stunts of the professional |
lady of the circus"
Miss Hinekley Cast |
for Chariot Driver.
Miss Gladys Hinckley, pronounced the
most beautiful girl In the United States
By the former Russian ambassador.
Baron Rosen, was cast for a chariot
driver, and would have appeared in the
street parade down Connecticut avenue
the afternoon OF the opening perform
ance, clad in q flowing Roman robe
Cowgirl feats Of horsemanship, such |
as picking a handkerchief from the |
expected from Miss Helen Buchanan
and Miss Mildred Greble, both we'll |
known In army circles and famous for |
their equestrienneship
Joseph Letter was cast for some |
mysterious stunt, the nature of which |
was not to be disclosed even to the |
management until the night of the first |
performance.
Mrs. Letter, who recently presented |
her husband with a third son, is quite |
her usual self again. and is seen daily |
about the streets and Speedway of the |
National Capital driving the new small !
car they have just acquired. Young |
Mrs. Letter, who is an enthusiastic |
sportswoman. has only just taken to
driving her own car, having formerly |
left that to her chauffeur. Previous to |
her marriage she was a familiar figure
about town in her own electric, which
like many other young women of the
smart set, including the former Alice
Roosevelt, she drove herself, but this