The daily telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1901-1926, 1915-02-18
vaahington hospitaliiies.

y Washington hospitaliiies.
i The increasing facilities OF the
large hotels are also responsible for
changing certain. social customs In
/ the national capital. One large hotel
was Constructed with the express
purpose OF accommodating the fam
lies OF congressman and senator's.
! Instead Of having a number of of in
dividual "at home" days, these woin-
en- Join together in large receptions
in the big hotel parlors provided for
their use. This year cards were is
sued bearing the names of no less
/ than forty-one hostesses. Upon the
HASk LETT ...s...
| day OF the recep ton, the long line
reached clear. across the room and,
Fin greeting his own Individual hostess
the guest was presented to all of the
others. The success of this form Of
entertainment augurs we'll for its
popularity in future seasons. "A
large table was covered with card
basketsy each bearing the name Of
the ladies upon whom they wished toI
call. In this way. each received the
lattention intended for her. After al,
the social call in Washington
amounts to little more than seeing
that your card is placed in the proper
card basket.
AS a social finisher the national
capital must rank first among ALL
American cities. Here official posi-
ton. not money, determines rank.
The wife of newly elected official
from a remote locality may De timid
and consciously provincial, but shel
has an assured position. Consequent
~. a certain Difference Is paid to herI
from the beginning. This gives herr
confidence. and the good comradeshipl
of other women who came UNDER
lsimilar conditions {. CIV years before,
inspire her to self-improvement. She
soon dtscards the creation of theI
home dressmaker and equips herself
lin clothes, manners and bearing
suited to fulfill the social responsible
tiles Of her husbands official posi-
ttion.
The Congressional Club is herI
greatest aid in this development. The
one change which is most noted by
the veterans in Washington society
is the ease with which newcomers
adapt themselves to their new condi-
ltions.
Time and growth have brought
about many changes in Washington
social customs This is especially
noticeable at the White House. I'M
connection with the formal recep-
lions. Except in cases Of special be-
ireavement as during the present year
and the season following the death
OF Mrs. Harrison. four large formal
receptions and a certain number Of
state dinners are given annually The
!, receptions are in honor of the diplo-
Imatic corps, the judiciary. the Con-
lgress and the army and navy. A list
is kept Of those who are supposed to
be entitled to the hospitality Of the
executive mansion. Usually the list
, is divided alphabet calIy, those whose
names begin with the letter A being
invited to the first entertainment, and
1.-THE WIS, US or Us coming in for the
last ones, so that no one can COM
y plain of discrimination.
Much scheming Is sometimes nee
,essary to secure a place upon the list
nowadays. A few years ago anyone
! who had gone through the form OF
J leaving card for the presidents
; wife was placed upon the list. THU
is no longer possible because Of the
increased number who do so. A GER
tain amount of influence is generally
necessary. Invitations are usually
: forwarded upon request of anyone in
official life. A White House invita-
! ton is supposed to be non-transfer-
r0 a hoo H.e,f 1Ha NJ mo
son for whom it is intended and is
accompanied by an admittance card.
! Should this card be lost or mislaid,
y the invited guest must wait in the
downstairs hall until the sergeant-at-
arms of the White House has pro-
duced the official list and discovered
! the name. II the name does not APP
-lpear upon the list, admission is re-
fused. This rule Is rlgidly adhered
/. to.
The rules of precedence in Wash
r Eington are scarcely less rigid than in
European capitals. Unpleasant hap
slpenings are not infrequent. because
!. The American spirit Of equality often
prompts unofficial conventional In
dividuals to refuse to step aside in
3 favor Of an official Of higher rank.
1t is not only the women who are
. iparticular about precedence in Wash
: ington. The senator who is sent
into dinner after a congressman Is
: sure to remember his hostess un-
8 kindly. The Justices OF the supreme
court, for exs<.Ne, are especially
,sticklers in the matter of precedence:
An evidence Of this, carefully kept
: out of the papers at the time, was at
8 a judiciary reception at the White
9 House, which the jurists attended in
"a body. Owing to a mistake Of
9 some one in charge. distinguished
foreigner. the guest OF diplomat,
0 was admitted before them with his
i.Iparty. The Justices were SO indig-
-Inant at what they considered lack
: lof Difference to them they declined
!, to enter the reception room. and they
: Immediately left the White House.
-lthus causing the unique phenomenon
8 of Judiciary reception without the
y judges.
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q SkrNI. - 0vnnI.N N 49,.