The Washington times., 1917-01-24
Tells of Passing "BIue Room"
In White House
leVeeS.
INNOVATION COMMENDED
Cabinet Officers Soon Lost In
Gathering-Mrs. Wilson In
Becoming Gray.

Jean Eliot should have been in two
places last night and she was-no,
not at once-for fortunately the
White House keeps early hours in its
entertaining and the Congressional
reception was well over before the
Oriental ball. under the auspices OF
the Junior League, struck its gait"
The President and Mrs. Wilson re-
ceived. with the Senators and Repre-
sentatives in Congress assembled as
the special guests. The wives Of the
Cabinet officers were in line, the Ma
rine Band played in its accustomed
nook in the hallway, the drawing
rooms and the great East Room were
abloom with howers-so far every
thing was according to precedent.
But when it dawned upon the guests
that they were witnessing the passing
or the historic Blue Room" as an in
stitution rather than a mere apart
ment-well, everyood" had something
to talk about ed interest in mere
gowns and gras Is, even in the person
ages preset "aled by comparison.
Spec favored by Colonel,
Tire rs when there were no
ropes, when the phrase behind the
line" had no application to the White
House levees, but that was in the
days of Jeffersonian simplicity. In
the memory of society leaders and
society chroniclers there has always
been distinguished gathering of
specially invited guests" in the Blue
Room, envied of those ION the out
side looking in" During the Roose-
welt Administration supper was pro-
vided only for these favored few, and
IL Is on record that special cards
were sent and acceptances required
after the Colonel, on one occasion,
found hissupper limited to ian olive
and one oyster"
Last nights innovation is credited
to Mrs. Wilson. The result was gen.
orally commended, but with some re-
greet for the passing OF the chummy
gatherings back of the receiving line.
My sympathy went out to the Cabinet
officers, who seemed quite detached
from their usual moorings.
A screen of tropic palms, climbing
almost to the ceiling, cut the Blue
Room in half and made a most effec-
tive background for the receiving
line, but 1t left scant room behind
for the Cabinet husbands" who are
accustomed to linger near their wives,
and no room at all for the impromptu
receptions each was wont to hold.
Cabinet Ofncers Look Lost.
The Secretary of the Interior, Mr..
Lane, stood near Mrs. Lane much OF
Cabinet officers fingered by, but for
the most part they Joined the throng
in the other drawing rooms. The
Secretary of the Treasury, Mr.. Nc
Adoo, who is always Mrs. McAdoo's
shadow, looked quite lost without
her.
Miss Margaret Wilson's return from
New York was Unexpectedly delayed
and everybody missed her usual in
formal levee in the Red Room, the
apartment, by the way, where most
of the usual Blue Room company was
to be found. Miss Helen Woodrow
Bones, the Presidents niece; Miss
Alice Wilson, of Baltimore, and Miss
Elizabeth Perkins, of Muncie, Ind,
who are guests at the White House;
Miss Agnes Hart Wilson. the two lit
tie Burleson girls; Miss Jane Greg
DRY, Justice and Mrs. Brandeis, JUS
tice and Mrs. Vandevanter, Assistant
secretary OF Ine treasury ana MTS.
Andrew Peters, Assistant Secretary Of
Agriculture and Mrs. Carl Vrooman,
Congressman and Mrs. Henry ID.
Flood, Mrs. William Ellis and William
Ellis, jr., all these | saw there.
There, too, l met Mrs. Barnett.
who in the absence of Maj. Gen.
George Barnett, came down the
line" with Maj. Gen. Hugh l.. Scott:
Mrs. Scott, Miss Blanchard Scott, Mrs.
William H. Boiling, Miss Bertha
Boiling. and, oh yes, the new rear
admiral-to-be-Or not to be-Dr. Cary
Grayson. and charming Mrs. Gray
son.
Mrs. Wilson In Gray.
Mrs. Wilson looked unusually well
in pale gray, a most becoming color
she is wearing a good deal OF late.
The gown was built of soft satin
and tulle on modish lines. Mrs. VIII
son wore a charming jeweIed comb