The Washington times., 1915-12-05
JEAN ELIOT|
LETTER.

SUSAN DEAR: The opening of Con-
sress tomorrow. marked by the return
of a number of old-time social and po-
litical favorites and by the advent OF
many newcomers of more than passing
interest. viii give a fillip to a social
season that has already attained con-
siderable momentum. Let mo venture
n prophecy anent this esme social sea-
son. too. that the winter program will
put an end once and for all TO tho tlme-
honored superstition that tho Demo-
Gratis don't spend money rs the Ropub-
iicans do. In their character as the ad-
vance agents of prosperity. their motto
seems to be. prove that the Demo-
Gratis dare spend the money and we'll
provide the revenue" That. of course,
- on the political side: but also they
will put on a social season worthy OF
the name. The White House has sot the
pace, with its announcement OF All elab-
crate program Of official functions, and
the widely heralded possibility OF fire.
uuent entertaining Of a less formal char
acter Mrs. Lansing. wife OF the secro-
tary Of State. has inauguratcd an ex-
,tensive and dignified social program. ar
ranged with due regard for the social
side Of diplomacy. and the lesser lights
will doubtless follow in their wake,
But to return to our muttons-in this
case the come backs and the new
comers to the new Congress. who will
have large part to plav in the social
game. Senator James Phelan has the
distinction Of being a millionaire and a
bachelor-but I've written YOU most of
the interesting things 1 know about
him. save that he has bought the fine
Peyton Russell house, in r street.
In California he is noted for his gem
erous hospitality and brilliant entertain
ments and 1t is highly probable his
menage will be conducted on u scale
to rival that Of Senator du Pont. here
tofore Washington's foremost bachelor
establishment.
The career of Senator James W.
wadsworth, jr.. will be watched with
no little interest-but Mrs. ,Wadsworth
needs no introduction to Washington
society. Her welcome was ready made
and she takes up the role of Senatorial
hostess with a grace and knowledge OF
official usages cleaned curing the days
when, as Alice Hay, daughter OF the
late Secretary John Hay, she was one
of the greatest bellies Of the official con-
tingent
-
BY a strange coincidence Senator J.
Z. w. Beckham of Kentucky, who be-
came governor OF his state through the
assassination Of Governor Goebel. comes
to the Senate to find as a member or
the state delegation, Caleb Powers. tho
man who was several times tried for
Goebel's murder. and whose conviction.
sentence. and final pardon by tho first
Republican elected governor of Ken
lucky after the crime, attracted nation
wide interest.
Senator Beckham and his charming
wife. who was Miss Jean Fuqua, OF
Owensboro, Ky, have arrived in Wash
ington and have taken an apartment
at the Highlands for the season. They
have one daughter, Eleanor, girl OF
fourteen or fifteen. who is at Mary
baldwin Seminary. and q small SON.. J.
c. W. Beckham, jr.
Senator Broussard of Louisiana is
among those promoted from the lower
house to the Senate: likewise Senator
Hardwick, who was formerly Congress
man Hardwick OF Georgia: and last. but
not least. Senator Oscar Underwood.
Mrs Underwood became 80 important
a. figure in the official world a5 a Con-
gressman's wife, that Mr.. Underwood 3
new position as 'privatc in the Senate
ranks" to use his own phr ase. affects
her scarcely at all. Senator and Mrs
Hardwick are at the Cochran motel TOR
the winter. The Senator, by the way,
is physically the smallest man In the
upper house, just five feet one inch in
height, and weighs hut loI pounds.
-.
"Uncle Joe" Cannon and his popular
-. DC
tablished at the Reyburn house. which
they have leased for the season. and
in a few days Virginia LeSeure Will Al
rive to spend the winter with them.
Although Uncle Joe's' political popu-
larity suffered it's eclipse, his personal
popularity has never waned unc thL
friends who are holding out a welcom-
ing hand are legion What men Of his
acquaintance do not remember ms
famous stag dinners and the wonder.
fully toothsome yiands on the menu?
TO Miss Cannon, however. credit Is due
for she it was who planned. his parties
and attended TO all matters of cuisine
Miss Cannon is very fond Of quiet
rubber of bridge with :, few kindred
spirits and, although she alwa%s meets
her social obligations gracefully, she
firds informal functions more to her
taste than state affairs.
-.
or course, the LorgW orths arc the
Longworths-end Mrs. l ongworth was
Alice Roosevelt--which tells the whole
story OF Washington's delight in their
return. The lady possesses in a marked
degree her fathers distinguished fac
ulty for starting something 1t only
remains to be seen just what the some
thing" will be.
We have also acquired two Con-
gressienal hostesses by the marriage
route, Mrs. Henry T.. Lippitt. wife of
the Senator from Rhode Island, and
Mrs. Frederick II. GilletL Both have
had experience of official fife, Mrs. Gill
lett during the life of her first hus-
band. Congressman lockwood tIoar.
son Of the late Senator Hoar. and Mrs.
I.irpitt. when as Mrs. Laughlin. she
served as chatelainc of the White
House during the illness of Mrs. raft.
Il -
Between December 81 and January s
there will be one glorious round OF
.nvaty N this town and al tho SoCIctC