Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1916-02-01

the leadership OF the new mistress OF
tho White House. is in fun swing
Also, it is swinging "a hi, out OF it's
usual course The complicated edificc
Of precedent and position, which is
Washington society, has felt the inn
press Of Il new personality, and has
become more interesting in conse
qucnce.
The official society OF Washington
has for years been as involved in the
formaliticS OF rank and prestige as
amy European capital OF late years
there has been ~ reaction against this
state OF affairs, a tendency TO release
a little genuine c"rdiality by cutting
the red tape in few places.
The new social administration is
giving this tendency !, very substantial
boost. Mrs Wilson Is not only mistress
OF the White House. but also u leader
OF two sets in Washington. with
great tact and social deNt.rity. but not
without some damage TO the carefully
woven fabric OF capital society. sh" is
bringing these two elements toecthe:
for the FIRST time. Members OF the
leading commercial families. who have
done much for the wealth and beauty
of the capital, but have never adorned
it's official society with their persons.
are seen at all OF the larger White
House functions. and ~ many OF those
small and select ones which were for :
mcrly regarded as the rewards OF
long-standinE social or official pres
tigc.
Lavish White House Hospitality.
This does not mean, however. that
any one IS being left out or neglected.
In fact, never was the hospitality or
the White House more lavishly dis
pcnscd Heretofore 1000 invited guests
were considered large number for
n White House reception. but ut the
first one this season Their" were 1000.
And the generosity which characterized
the invitation list was sumptuously eS-
tended 10 the refrcshmcnt table. Never
since President Tafts silver wedding
has the White House seen such ahun-
dance Of cakes and ices. such rivers OF
champagne punch. Every one was
tra,,,cndouslv plaascd with the anair,
except a few disEruntled persons who
observed that democratic ideals OF en-
tcr,ainment seemed 10 he somewhat in
conflict with democratic ideals OF
economy.
This substitution OF genuine so
ciability for artificial social law IL no.
table throughout Washington society.
Some OF the old resident social leaders
arc rather aghast at the violence which
the cabinet ladies arc doing TO the
old laws Of precedent. These rules
which provide who shall walk FIRST,
who shall call first and in fact what
everybody shall do under any circum-
stances, would seem rather anomalous
In "A democracy. They arc. in fact. a
rather stiff and unwieldly imitation of
European social custom But the
ladies OF the present administration,
with commendablc American directness,
show n tendency to smash right through
these barriers. which often stand be-
tween congcnial persons.
Ridiculous Rules Now Broken.
Formerly, I, was not considered
proper for n Cabinet lady TO call upon
the wife Of a Congressman. or to ac
ccpt an invitation from her unless in
the capacity of Il guest of honor. Such
ridiculous rules as this arc now being
broken almost daily, and those In high
Dositions who have heretofore been
the jealous guardians Of precedent, ere
accepting invitations from persons they
really want TO meet with little regard
for official position. Ladies of the
Cabinet are often seen at the teas and
receptions Of congressional women.
Ono reason for the greater freedom
and cordiaiity of Washington society
this year is that period of mourning
in tho White House put Il ban upon
formal entertainment for some months
This let down the formidable bars OF
precedence and cOnventionality and
gave persons chance to meet inform
ally and become real friends instead
OF knowing each other merely as man
nikins in the official punch and judy
show.
The tendency to stay awhile and
talk, instead Of merely sending the
footrnan In with n card, has led to the
revival of the tea table, which had
long ago been discarded by official so
ciety. Following the White House
| precedent of really serving something
TO eat instead Of merely n nibblc an(
Il napkin. these tea tables are being
! more and more generously laden.
StrinGcncy In Man Market.
The regular feed" Is also a promi
| nent feature this season OF the com
| ing out parties OF the numerous Wash
| ington debutantcs. Each official per
| son who comes to Washington seem:
! To bring about five persons of the f0m
| mime gender. most of whom are NOR,
| or less burdened with social ambitions
! Naturally, this heavy Importation o
| feminine loneliness causes chrOni,
| strngency in the man market. Thu
| first requisite OF social success for
! dcbutantc in Washington Is follow
| ing OF males who own dress suits IN,
| can dance. AS n result, the Washing
| ton young man Ia one OF the mos
| fused over. overfed and overappreci
! ated individuals In tho country. n