The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-05-18
WASHINGTON LIKES.
THEIR SIMPLICITY
No Ostentation Surrounds Home
Life of President and
Mrs. Wilson.
SIMPLE GARDEN PARTIES
One May Go as He Likes and
Wear Anything That
Pleases Him.
SIMPLE
ny p. II. MCGOWAN.

Especial to The Times Dispatch
Washington, May 17.-Washington
society is beginning to see and like
the simplicity and lack of ostentntion
which surrounds the home life of tho
Wilson family In the White House. In
nothing Is this more noticeable than
In the weekly garden parties which
are now being given on the lawn just
to the south of the executive mansion.
There free America--it might be said
meets for tho hour for you may find
in Mrs. wilson's list of invited guests
every kind of free American citizen.
high. low, big and little, men and
women, they are there.
With simplicity as the most import
ant element of these weekly gather
ings under the stately oaks that throw
their magnificent shade across the big
White House garden. spend an hour
there and see who you will meet
First and foremost, you may either
ride or walk. us you may wish, You
may use your auto. call Il taxi. travel
in one-hoss shay, pay your nickel
and use the car, or walk, because II
makes not one bit Of difference. You
VIII meet your friends doing either or
all. Some you thought would motor
prefer to walk and some who might
be expected to walk. travel in the big
touring car. So there you arc. for the
locomotion part. Just travel any way
you like.
Pass quickly through tho "hat-box'-
that abominable place at formal win
ter receptions-nod at the waiting ne
Eroes that you have neither overcoat
nor hat to deposit, and you are out
under the stately oaks and only a
stones throw from the President and
Mrs. Wilson and their military aides
With that cordial and merry smile
with which the President meets his
visitors and the gracious reception YOU
get from Mrs. Wilson, you pass on to
miirglc with free America for the hour
YOU have been invited. Now. there is
no formality, go wherever YOU please.
listen to the music OF the Marine Band,
watch the sparkling waters from the
White House fountain, chat a little
here and n little there. then make your
way over to where refreshments have
been provided. This is the routine for
those who have been fortunate enough
TO receive the coveted bit of paste
board which bids them to the White
House for the hour.
But tho real feature OF the occasion
If there is any one feature above an
othcr--beyond the President and his
charming wife. is the absolute lack of
conventionality in dress. You may go
in your business suit and he entirely
welcome. a light suit or dark one,
n Panama hat or any other kind will
do Just as we'll. You may wear the
long tailed Prince Albert and il will
make absolutely no difference. You
may he certain that anything YOU may
wish 10 wear will be in taste, so far
ms the mon are concerned
You viii see workers from the buni-
ness Offices. the House, nlsmlers, with
the typical black SLOUGH hat andtlong-
tailed coat. the Senator. with maybe
more dignity. but just the samescloflles.
and the politician. the Cabinet mem
bcr and the newspaper men all there
talking and jabbcrinE away Just like
the members of ono big family The
men may dress just any way they like
when they so to these affairs, and get
there also any way they like. With
the women. il is II little different al
though IL cannot he said that the same