The Washington times., 1915-06-27
JEAN ELIoT@
LETTER

DEAR SUSAN: Mrs. Robert Lansing
looms the most interesting figure upon
the social horizon in Washington since
her husbands appointment as secre-
tary of state, an appointment that
would seem to have met with genuine
and general approval. It was received
with satisfaction by his confreres OF
the Cabinet, by the Presidents advi-
sers. and by the rank and file OF the
Democratic party, which is passing
strange, as Mr.. Lansing has no par
ticular political backing; and with real
enthusiasm by the Diplomatic Corps In
washtngton, which is not strange at
all, as Mr.. Lansing, in his career as
an international lawyer and diplomat
has earned their respect and friend-
ship, and they are quick to recognise
ono of their own ilk, q man trained to
diplomacy and statecraft as q profes-
SION
Ths wifo of the Secretary OF state Is
sx ofricio, q person Of Importance in
tho increasingly complex social world
Sf Washington, and Mrs. Lansing,
moreover, Is a bit OF a parsonage her
self. She, too, Is, peculiarly fittcd to
I'LL with grace and charm an important
official position, for, besides being horn
n the purple, she has had varied ex-
Sprience of official life, both IN this
country and abroad, while her father.
John w. Foster, was Secretary OF
State-strange, she should achieve the
distinction OF being both the daughter
and the wife of holders OF this port
folio-and during the years in which
he filled important posts In the diplo-
matte service.
She is unusually handsome. decidedly
the best looking Of the Cabinet women,
a graceful and distinguished hosteSs'
whose entertaining has ever been con-
seryative In form and delightful in
character, with official and diplomatic
usages and customs at her finger tips;
although she is by no means society
woman in the usual meaning OF the
term, which implies empty headedness
and Responsibility. Mrs. Lansing is
secretary of the Washington branch OF
the Y. w. c. A. and a valuable worker
for the Church Of the Covenant. OF
which she and her husband have been
members for many years, and where
they are constant in their attendance.
They have made their home with MRS.
parents, Mr.. and Mrs Foster
whose house in Eighteenth street, is
one of the most dignified and interest
ing homes in Washington. In the last
few months the Lansings have cele-
brated the twenty-fifth anniversary OF
their marriage.
Probably the newspape will now pro-
ceed to label Mrs Lansing the "social
arbiter" and the first lady in the land
az Mrs. Bryan has been repeatedly
called since her husbands resignation
in defiance Of the fact that by all the
canons Of etiquette. the distinction be-
longs to the wife OF the Vice President.
Mrs. Marshall, and unofficially and from
tho point Of view of sentiment to Miss
Margaret Wilson. Moreover. this is a
claim that Mrs. Bryan has never cared
to advance.
She had not had much experience OF
official life,i Mr.. Bryan having served
principally in the capacity of runner
UP to Presidents: she has never felt
that the social side of statecraft was
very important and her tastes are en-
tirely domestic and studious. She is
"a lawyer in her own right" having
taken q perfectly good degree. but her
chief interest is in making the trip from
Washington to Lincoln. Neb., for the
purpose Of putting up the fruit from
tho home place.
Consequently the duties attendant
upon being Mrs. Secretary of State have
proved rather irksome and Mrs. Bryan
has been quite ready to take advantase
of the official mourning for Mrs. Will
son to refrain from official entertaining
and to take as small a part on the
doings of official and diplomatic So
ciety as possible. OF course she has
been constantly entertained and has
been always an agreeable guest, as well
as a graceful hostess. whenever she and
Mr.. Bryan have. seen fit to entertain
rs for instance. during the visit of the
Pan-American delegates and the Honor.
ary Commercial Commission of China
but never has she posed as a director
of the social destinies of Washington.
. -
It seems the irony of fate that Mr.
Bryan, who. with the possible excep,
ton of the Secretary of the Treasury
was the only member of the Cabinet to
take his house on a long lease. shoulc
be the one to. leave the Cabinet and thus
be left with Calumet place on his hands
OF course this is a wretched time tc
sublet town property. but probably ir
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