The Washington times., 1917-06-09
WAR NEEDLES RULE
CAPITALS SOCIETY
Sewing Circles Replace
Bridge in Washington.
MRS. WILSON SETS EXAMPLE
Presidents Wife Leads Fashion Of
Simplicity and Work.

I
the seemingly incurable leisurelinesi
which, in happier days, SO impressed
the visitor from New York. from the
West, from anywhere north of Mason
and Dixon's line. Everybody Is in q
hurry, and even the women folk are
continuously fastening from one war
time activity to another.
The change which the war has
wrought in the daily life and activi-
ties OF Washington society women Ia
particularly significant, as the town
IL apt TO take its cue from the White
House and in a slightly lesser degree
from the official caste
Today the cutting table has re-
placed the bridge table in the life of
smart Washington women; sewing
engagements have crowded out all
others in the once overfull date book
dancing, even at clubs, has become an
exceedingly rare amusement, and din
ners have simmered down to some
thing wholly impromptu and infor-
NAL
Devotees of Red Cross.
The leaders OF Washington's sun
dry overlapping circles, official, dip
lomatic, and resident, now md their
days devoted largely to work for the
Red Cross or the numerous other i'm
portant organizations which have
sprung UP in the present crisis.
The women who foregathered at
luncheons and dinners during the
winter me- Il in small groups as usual,
but II is sew q fne seam or roll
bandages rather than to gossip and
play bridge: and seldom 10 society
folk come together in great numbers,
save for q wedding or a beneft for
some OF the war charities
To the rule OF entertaining but lit.
tie there has been one shining ex.
ception in the round of brilliant func-
lions, given first for the British and
French missions. and during the past
week for the Italian mission, headed
by the Prince OF Udine, own cousin
to King Victor Emmanuel.
White House Simplicity.
Even at the functions given in hon
or OF these notables, however, the
President and Mrs. Wilson maintained
the simplicity which they consider a
proper attribute OF all entertaining in
war time.
Mrs. Wilson IL keenly interested in
Red Cross activities, frequently visits
the various headquarters where the
workers congregate and is honorary
chairman OF the woman's volunteer
aid section OF the District OF Colum.
bia Red Cross.
Moreover. DESTROYS OF doing some
thing for the work with her own
hands, she has organized a White
House Sewing Circle, with Miss Helen
Woodrow Bones as the other mem
Der in good and regular standing, and
the two women devote many hours a
day to making sheets, pillow cases,
pAJamas, and other hospital supplies
for the Red Cross. Mrs. Wilson fire.
presses her mother and sis
tiers into service as aids.
Miss Wilson Does BIT.
Meanwhile Miss Margaret Wilson.
who might have been seated above
the salt at the hlstory-makinE func-
itors. who might have had a place in
the Presidential pew at the Capitol on
several equally historic occasions, has
been quietly doing her bit. A concert
tour OF the South and Southwest. the
proceeds of which are TO be turned
over to the Red Cross, is the means
which she has chosen.
The Vice Presidents wife. Mrs
Thomas Riley MARSHALL; the ladies of
The Cabinet Senatorial matrons. the
wives of the members of the lower
house. army and navy women. COM
mon or garden society folk. all are
for some form OF service.
Mrs. Marshall is president OF the re-
Gently organized Ladies OF the Senate.
whose membership is limited to the
social heads OF Senatorial households.
The purpose OF the organization Is
both social and patriotic, and the dues
ire sufficient to make II an important
actor in Red Cross and other relief
work.
In addition to occasional social
these ladies come together
very Monday morning at the Wads- |
worth house. now the headquarters OF
he District Red Cross, where a new
hapter Is being written into the his |
DRY of a mansion which was for sew
raj years the center OF all that was |
mart in the luxurious life of modern
Centers of Activity.
The Congressional Club, a favorIte
aunt of women OF the Congressional
IrcIe, also huns to the music of the
ewing machine and scarcely a day
,oes by but sees a class in surgical
ressing, hospital garment making, or
Their Red Cross work.
Several OF the ladies of the Cabinet
re organizing the women of their
usbands' departments for Red Cross
york. Mrs. Robert Lansing ia taking
tops to mobilize the wives of the Of
cials OF the State Department and
he women employed there: Mrs.
David Franklin Houston and Mrs. Carl
are contemplating starting
similar movement in the Depart
lent OF Agriculture. while the Treas
ny Department and the Department
( the Interior already boast flourish
ng Red Cross organizations formed
nder the inspiration OF Mrs. William
iibbs McAdoo and Mrs. Franklin X.
.ane.