Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1918-08-05
PRESIDENTS WIFE
SWATS KAISER
So Hog Island Spectators
Agree When She Chris
tens Quistconck
MIGHTY SMASH
Bottle Breaks Into Hundred
Pieces and Wine Drenehes
Her Arm
DELIVERS MIGHTY SMASH

That was an awful swat for the
Kaiser.
At least, that was the verdict of the
rev thousand mon and women who were
privileged to witness Mrs woodrow
Wilson smash the bottle of wine against
the steel prov of the Quistconck
II was Mrs. Wilson who played the
stellar role at tcday's launching and
she played 1t in manner that stamps
her as woman of nerve, determine
ton and force. The latter element she
has in great abundance, for never was n
bottle Of sparkling champagne hurled
against the prov of ship with such
viEor and earnestness.
Just as Mrs Wilson prepared to spill
the wine she looked at the President.
Like everybody else, he was smiling
He leaned toward her and said some
thing. lust what 1t was nobody but Mrs
Wilson knows. A bit nervous. the words
! apparently gave her fresh courage. and
taking firm hold on the neck Of the
bottle, she gave 1t a mighty whack
against the steel plate. So hard did she
hit the prov that the bottle smashed into
| a hundred pieces.
President Joins in Laugh
The wine sprayed over her skirt and
literally drenched her right arm and
shoulder. For moment the President
thought that her hand had been cut
but when he learned that she had sus-
| tained nothing more serious than a
drenchfng he joined in ahe general
laughter
| 1t was a mighty swat and the crowd
catching the spirit of that tremendous
wallop sent up a tremendous cheer
"My what a smash" yelled a brawny
shipworker. at certainly was" re-
| sponded navy captain who stood ncar
the little stand upon which Mrs Wilson
stood
President Wilson congratulated his
wife and well he might. for she had
sent the Quistconck on its way to the
Delaware with the most forceful cham
payne smash in history.
Arouses Enthusiasm
Mrs. Wilson was beautifully gowned
in a frCck of blue-gray georpette with
| close fitting toque to match, and wore
a small bouquet Of her favorite orchids.
| She aroused great enthusiasm in the
crowd.
Looking as cool and charming as If
no long railway journey lay behind her,
she performed her part in the launch
ing to perfection.
After the Quistconck had slipped down
the ways she stoou 1or some moments
acknowledging the piaudits of the spec
tators by waving an enormous bouquet
or orchids, which she had been given
by Charles NJ. Schwab, director OF ship
ping.
| Both the President and Mrs Wilson
! formally saluted the QuistonCk as the
| vessel took the water, and a large ma
| jority of the spectators followed their
example.
""e'" '""
Mrs. Wilson's customary good taste
was apparent III her selection OF mel
| gown which was eminentlH suitable for
% %.he occasion. ne pnie -sIaE siaos :
.pneu nn n,,n ,,e n,a, 80 S,o',s Si. ~
.le '''','''",.s' ,,,H s l''etalis
o ss w',n eI,,.u ~ anu ica II !,
h"ssi hnss, set ~, aors ". sout'" S'''''aN anu
rhn ',t 49,, ,,os .. ,,,,,s .,o
platforms was hidden from sight bv
! white cloth, Mrs. Wilson's frock was
severely plain. being set off only hy a
white fichu. a black velvet girdle and
black band around the bottom. She
wore white kid pumps and a small black
nose veil
Miss Margaret Wilson. the Presidents
daughter who was also one of the party
wore a peacock blue frock, with white
georgette sleeves, a big white hat and a
Mrs Wilson'S social secretary. was
gowned in white.