The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-02-02
WASHINGTON, February I.

IDENTIFY to be soctety's favorlte
indoor sports from now on to
the Wednesday at the far end OF the
month. And it's not the middle aged
only who dine, any more than It's only
the young who dance.
The number OF gray haired dancers
on the floors of the national capital
has often been a subject OF comment.
1t was amusing the other night at the
bail for the Episcopal Eye. Ear and
Throat Hospital to see a pretty girl
in pink and silver whisked away from
her parents, Just in time to release
mother in black tulle and Jet as her
partner claimed her. leaving father
free to stroll blithely over and whirl
or with lady fair In green and gold.
OF the immediate administration cir
Gle I believe Mrs. Baker IS the only
one who actually dances now the Nc
Adoos are gone. They were both
avowedly fond OF dancing, and did 1t
we'll As for Mrs. Baker. she's de-
voted to IT, Dances with all the en-
thusiasm Of a girl. and most grace
fully. and the last time talked with
her was frankly regrettins that her
illness OF the fall and early winter had
made Il .nadvisable for her to dance
until her strength should more fully
have returned.
Going Out occasionally.
She is going out to some extent;
there are occasional dinners for THE
Secretary OF War and Mrs Baker.
and they occasionally attend dinners
for other notabilities; she goes to the
big concerts, and she takes part in
small ones.
Singing for the soldiers at hospitals
or cantonments. or at entertainments
arranged for them elsewhere, has been
Mrs. Bakers special war activity. even
as It has been Miss Margaret Wilson's
but she has to so a bit slow for
the present. and is cutting out the
dancing, which is a real sacrifice for
her.
OF the others. the Marshalls attend
balls now and again. as do the Presi-
dent and Mrs. Wilson. when In Wash
ington-though the President hardly
encourages dancing as a feature OF
White House entertaining. There has
been practically none at the Executive
Mansion since the beginning OF the
present regime; whereas. IN the last
Administration there were many for
Miss Taft and her friends. especially
during the holidays when Robert Taft
was home from college. Even the big
state receptions wound up with dane
ing in the East room.
One sees Mrs. Gregory and Mr..
Daniels at dances. but not dancing
sometimes, II It is n charity bail, d.
an organization in which they are in
terested. they are in the receiving line
as both are likely to be for tn.
Southern Relief ball Of next Monday
Sometimes they are decorating boxe.
and not infrequently Mrs. Gregor,
chaperonS Miss Jane Gregory anC
some OF her girl friends. Mrs. Lane |!
not given to receiving lines, although
she and Secretary Lane quite fire.
quently establish one OF their own, al
they watch ball and their friend
visit with them !nta box. Once in ;
great while Mrs. Lane is chaperonini
her young daughter Miss Nancy, VIII
as she Is not yet out, does not go 4
many OF the big dances except durni
the holidays. when rules are moro O.
less In allegiance.
The Houstons Do Not Dance.
The rest do not. so far as,I know. g
to dances. Mrs. Houston in respons
to a question Of a couple Of weeks ag'
as TO whether the Houstons were go
ing to the Russian ball. which man.
who never dance were attending as
spectacle, said: moo. we don't go 4
dances. We dine; we don't dance
You see, my husband is a very bus,
man. And anyhow at present the chill
dren are just getting over the chicken
pox and we are more or less quar-
antined."
Taking them as body. the Cabine
neither go to dances nor give them
except the Marshalls and the Daniels
The Marshalls, up 10 the time tn
United States entered the war CAV
one or two big evening receptions witt
dancing each season. The last one wa
on Inauguration night two years age
when they gave dance in complimen
20 tho Culver boys. who had twic
formed the Vice Presidents guard o
honor in the inaugural parades Every