Omaha daily bee., 1920-01-04
Diplom a tic
Breakfas
New Year
Nebraskans in the East
Have Gay Celebrations
During Holiday
Season.
Bee Bureau.
Washington, January z.

7 1 Y was W
before the -Wilson-administfa-
ton" atmosphere in the New
Year festivities on Thursday in
Washington. 1t was merry.
though somber, celebration, with
lew official homes open to visitors.
The secretary cf state and Mrs,
Lansing gave the time-honorcd
diplomatic breakfast in their home,
a function which IN former seasons
followed Immediately after the great
official and public reception at the
White House on Tire first Of January.
On those occasions the scene was
one Of almost unprecedented brilli-
ance, for all the representatives OF
foreign courts and governments
wore the gay apparel of their court
costumes, with all the decorations
they could claim, and as much tcr-
mality and dignity were observed as
it is possible to have in this country
President Wilson abandoned this
great New Years day reception, an
institution known almost since the
founding of the government. so
there has been no excuse for the
diplomats to wear these brilliant
togs at these breakfasts which. by
the way, were totally abandoned dur
ing the war period The former
custom was to have each member
Of the diplomatic corps in Washing
ton, and the members of their fami-
lies, including ambassadors, minis
tiers, secretaries and attaches. This.
year the secretary and Mrs. Lansing
invited only ambassadors and MN
isters and the members of their
families. 1t was a distinguished
company and beautiful party.
The only other official receptions
OF that afternoon, which i'll former
years was the most brilliant and the
busiest day of the year socially, was
large and brilliant one by the sec
vetary OF the navy and Mrs. Daniels.
and one of the secretary of'war and
Mrs. Baker. in the home of the as
sistant secretary of war and Mrs.
Benedit Crowell, at 1902 Twenty
second street. the former home of
the late 1t. Gen. Henry {. Corbin.
There were no assistants at the lat
ter party, but Mrs. Daniels had with
them the chiefs of the different bu-
reaus of the Navy department. and
their wives; bevy of debutantes ots
this year, and some girls of othef
years. a number of young navy off,
GERS, and Mrs. Daniels mother and
sisters. She had ball room ar
ranged ON the fourth floor of the
Daniels mansion, as in former
years, (for Mrs. Daniels has held
| this reception each year since she
has been iii official life) transform
ing the attic into quaint dancing
hall, with the band from the May
flower playing there all the after
noon. The Marine band was sta
toned on the second floor and also
played through the afternoon and
many of the dance enthusiasts
danced on the first floor. 1t was
quite the gayest spot in Washington
on New Years day. And the callers
were not confined to men only. Thet
wives, daughters, mothers, sisters.
etc. were among the company.
The Congressional club held open !
house during the afternoon with thcy]
president and officers and the men,
eers OF the board receiving, includ
ing Mrs. c. Frank Reavis of Fall
City, Neb., who is treasurer Of tn
club. Phe newly organized Won
ems City club had open house to-
and invited the members of the Gil
club, composed entirely of men. dS
special guests. All the other club
houses and the hotels were arraycfi
in gay and festive fashion and held
as much revelry possible with nc
spirits except human spirits in evi-s
dence.
Miss Gertrude Norris, daughter OF
the senator from Nebraska. who has
been with Senator and Mrs. Norris
during the holidays, started yestc-
day to return to her studies in the
state university at Lincoln. where
she is a student. She has had a CAV
time among her old friends and
schoolmates here.
Major and Mrs. D. c. Stapleton
spent very quiet Christmas~in their
Washington home, as they are in
mourning for Mrs. Stapletor's /,
brother who died in Omaha in the
fall, and Major Stapleton has been.
quite i'll for a month. Isl
Mrs. Frank S. Bacon is with her
son-in-law and daughter. Mr.. and !
Mrs. Walter 5. Penheld, and their 4
baby daughter, and will spend the 4
remainder OF. the winter here Will,
them. They will take no part in any
festivities this year. owing to their J
deep mourning for Mrs. Penfeld's
father, Mr.. Bacon.
Judge and Mrs. Constantine va
Smyth. formerly OF Omaha. have h;k l
as their guests their son and daue' Il
ter-in-law, Mr.. and Mrs. .BernA I
Smyth of Philadelphia, who Mere
Gently married. They spent Chi
mas with their parents and
Smyth had pretty tea forS
daughterin-l last Sunday
noon in her handsome apartm
24O0 Sixteenth street. She HI -
opportunity then of meeting II
cial and personal friends OF h N
bands family. They returns
in the week to Philadelphia ~