The Washington herald., 1915-12-19
Capital Society Is Eager for
Regime Of New First Lady
Return Of President and His Bride Probably VIII Usher in
Brilliant Round Of Festivities Mrs. Wilson VIII Make
First Appearance at Pan-Amercan Reception.

With an interest which might almos'
be termed an apprehension does Wash
ington society look forward to the re-
sumption OF social activities by the
White House family. what will ths
winter bring FORTH" IL the question asked
and left unanswered over the tea cups
and the ante-prandial cocktail glasses oi
'Washington's homes and clubs. The
course Of the White House family which
by reason Of the brief vows and briefei
benediction Of an Episcopal ceremony
becomes a new family with new frst
lady Of the land IL a problem to Wash
ington more serious than any which has
confronted 1t in a generation. for Presi-
dent Wilson. unlike any one OF his pre-
decessors, Is marrying Washington
woman. Washington has been well ac-
uuainted with many wives Of Presidents
after they had come to make Washing
ton their homes, but the union OF WOOD
row Wilson and Edith Boiling Gait pre-
sents an entirely new and unprecedented
situation.
The situation, besides being new has
elements of concern to the permanent
dwellers in the National Capital. II
would be different If the President. even
though he were marrying into WASH
In ton family, was at the same time
wedding with one whose relations with
the official life Of Washington had been
direct. Strange, un-American, inconsru-
Gus as IL may seem In this land OF democ-
racy and equality the society of the Fed
eral city has not In years gone by recog-
nized that any one engaged in trade
had any actual social standing In the ac-
tivities of lie grand monde, as evidenced
in the round of festivities and functions
here. For Mrs. Edith Boiling Gait, now
haIonr, In the
commercial circle of Washington society.
Galts Engaged in Trade.
Regardless Of the fact that the Bollings
of Virginia rank in their own home State
as the equal of any family in the ancient
Commonwealth. the union of Edith
Boiling with Norman Gait almost score
of years ago took the fair daughter Of
the Old Dominion. the descendant Of
John Rolfe and Pocahontas. out of her
inherited status and placed her definitely
and fixedly outside the charmed circle so
far as Washington society was con-
cerned.
The Galts of Washington constitute a
huge family, and are actively engaged in
the jewelry and other lines of trade.
Some of the business is of the wholesale
character. but this does not lift the social
ban on trade as in some of the other
social centers of the United States. Trade
is trade, in Washington, and trade is not
society and never has been. ridiculous
and un-American as it may seem.
What makes the situation doubly inter-
esting is the fact that Mrs. Gait herself
has, since the death of her husband. been
actively engaged as the head of the Jew
elry firm in Pennsylvania avenue which
bears the family name. and which was
esta ablished in 1902. The jewelry store has
been located at the same stand since the
days of Andrew Jackson. Mrs. Galt's two
brothers conduct the business. but she
has been the actual proprietor.
President Shuns Society.
Naturally many folks in society who
previously have observed the un-Ameri-
can 'fn-trade' rule are wondering what
the attitude Of the new White House
mistress will be toward this and WASH
ingtons social customs of long standing
President Wilson himself. though, is
not either n club or a society man. He
Shuns functions. as a rule, and his advent
in Washington three years ago was at
once a signal for the cutting down of
many old customs with regard to club
The President on his ar
rival at the Capital three years ago
made no use of the opportunity always
afforded to a Chief Magistrate to affiliate
with any of the fashionable clubs of
Washington. He frankly refused an
election TO honorary membership in the
Chevy Chase Club before he had even
entered the portals of the Capital. This
created such a shock that the time
honored custom Of extending a similar
welcome to the President on the part of
the Metropolitan Club was withheld. Mr..
Wilson is the first President of the United
States since the foundation OF the Metro
politan Club, who has not been made a
Immediately he was ensconced
in the White House. In the days of
the Roosevelts and the Tafts things were
different in Washington from what they
have been since the Wilson family came
into leadership.
The Roosevelt and the Tafts already