The Washington times., 1916-01-02
JEAN ELIOT|
q LETTER. (

We are having a period Of the most
scientifically arranged entertainments or
q purely private character that has
ever been given here. and the idea
behind 1t all is so novel and so inter-
esting that not even the distinguished
scientists OF the Pan-American Con-
press, for whose delectation the town
has turned itself upside down. are
aware OF just how the thing Is being
done.
The irrepressible John Barrett Is the
author of the scheme, and the idea Is
lust this-he knew that there would
be lot Of interesting people from
South and Central America here who
would be delighted to meet lot OF
the interesting people Of our country.
He also knew that there were num-
erous accomplished hostesses in wash
ington. SO he planned to bring the
three sections together in a social
working unit, to arrange series OF
dinner parties, teas, luncheons, social
AFFAIRS of all sorts, that would bring
the visitors from Pan-America into
closer touch with representative
Americans than any number Of public
or semi-public functions could possibly
do.
n was real undertaking-nos
people said It couldn't be done-but II
has been done. There have been more
dinner parties in Washington this week
and there are more planned for next
week than have been given in years
The scheme was carried through bv the
Assistant Secretary OF State. William
Phillips, with the able assistance or
Stedman Hanks. tall young man. who
has figured prominently in some OF the
social functions here recently: Boaz
Long. minister to Salvador: Maddn sum-
,rers. t,,e energetic, young consul general
to some silly little place on the coast or
Brazil, where all sorts OF things hap
pen that bring him back to Washing
ton. and one or two other enterprising
young men.
There Is in New York n bureau OF
social requirements. which provides
everything necessary for dinner or
snv sort of social functian-son?ctimes
even to the guests. The Phillips"Sum-
rners-St edman barrett ct al combina-
tion go them one better. They provide
NOT only guests but hostesses. lhe
method is this: Mrs Blank !s asked
she will entertain on certain evening
She Is given the number of guests she
NAV expect, and all she has to do Is
to furnish the dinner and act as smilihs
hostess, Mr. Hanks. in his social bu-
resu of the PAN American Congress-
then complies nice little list OF Fan
American highbrows and list oil
United States savants, inviting them I?
meet each other. Care is taken tha'
all shall speak the same language. ana
this indefatigable young man and ms
associates even go so far as to arrange
the seating of the tables so that the
archeologist from Peru may sit next 10
some one who Is interested In arche-
olorv and in Peru, and who can speak
the language of the seVant. Ana
sprinkled through the guest hst-ln al
ditIon TO select few invited by the
bostess-are two or three OF the bright
younr men and women who have been
working their heads off as social aloes
to the congress.
And take it from me. Susan. these
social aides have had to work -heY
have been assigned to duty with tie
yar,ous DELEGATIONS, to see that each
and eyery one Of the visitors is prop
eerly and appropriately entertainer
ro.ets congenial people. and is made
esnecially welcome. 1t has been nec"s-
s.ry Tor them to he on the Job morning,
noon, and night, to engineer the SOCIAL
arragements for endless breaiasts'
luncheons, and dinners.
Poor John Henderson broke down un-
der the strain. and was carted OIL 10
the hospital on Friday. where the ac-
conmodating surgeons removed his ap-
pendjx. The others are showing inc
effects of their labors. but ther nave the
consolation OF knowing that the worN
Of the social aides-the men and the
long list OF prominent women VINO ale
helping them-has excited both wonder
and admiration for It's originality and
complete utility.
tn. social side of the congress Will
wind up in a blaze of glory reNt FRI
day with the Presidents reception ana
then the delegates will be or Tor \
iurLet to various points Of interest all
over the country. Yesterday was a par
ui,ularW rf,.u and interesting day'
with Charles Henry Bnter's orLSinai
"Montsweag farm lunchcon'-all the
food came direct from the farm tor
some Of the men. Mrs. Edison RradieY's
brilliant reception. near score OF d'n-
ners and the big reception at the ran
American building as climax.
should think John Barrett would be
filled with pride. and very iuslihable
pr,de on an occasion like this. Oh
course the great Pan-American ldea
came into being long before his time
end equally of course the thing mas no"
crown beyond any one mans concep'
lion. but John Barrett was the man ir
this country who focused the idea made
Il concrete. and to whose efforts the
tremendous strides that the Pan-Ame1
can Union has made are largely due
II is seldom that any man achieVes
monument while he is living, but to mi
he beautiful Pan-American Uniol
building stands as a monument to Mr.
. Barrett.
The Pan-American building, by tn
way. was the scene of Teresa Granda
Pczets debut party. which attracted
most interesting and cosmopolitan
gathering, scores of visitors from Soutl
America, ever so many diplomats. of