New-York tribune., 1920-03-14
Cabinet Members Office Fixes
the Date and Arranges Seat
ing at the Dinner Table

rules. The newcomers and persons
in the smallest offices owe first calls
to those who have been in Washing
ton for longer time and who hold
higher offices.
Mrs. Woodrow Wilson does not
receive calls, in the ordinary sense
of the expression. Women wishing
to pay their respects to the present
"frst lady, call at the White House
and leave their cards. Later they
may write, to Mrs. Wilson's social
secretary that they wish to meet her
At intervals Mrs. Wilson gives
informal teas for about thirty
women, which are known as alto
gether charming affairs. This Is
her manner Of receiving calls.
Has Her Own Way
It is rumored that Mrs. Wilson
does not let the State Department
dictate absolutely in the seating of
her dinner guests, as she is supposed
to do. Of course, the list Of guests
for each function goes through the
hands Of Mr.. Cooks Office in per-
fectly good form But II. when she
receives the seating arrangement,
she finds that Mr.. Brown, who ahe
particularly wanted to meet Mrs.
Smith, is seated at tho other end Of
the table, she, according to report,
simply changes their cards. Ger
tainly few discreet changes Of this
kind would not detract from the
pleasure Of the dinner. And when
it is the ''tirst lady" who takes the
responsibility, who shall question.
Before the State Department took
up the society women's burden a
set Of rules was adopted in Wash
ington society known as the Code.
1t is said that all branches Of gov
ernment were appealed to in the
compilation Of this document. But
whether President Monroe or some
other dignitary Of those days was
the author the writer has no means
Of knowing. These are the rules:
"The President--Business calls are
received at all times and hours when
the President is unengaged. The
morning hours are preferred. Spe-
cial days and evenings are assigned
each season for calls Of respect
one morning and one evening a week
being assigned for this purpose.
Receptions are held during the
winter season, generally once a week,
between and 10 o'clock in the
evening, at which time the guests are
expected to be in full dress and ara
presented by tho usher.
"The President holds public re-
ceptions on January and July 4.
when the diplomatic corps present
themselves in court costume, and thu
officers OF the army and navy in full
uniform. The executive, Legislative
and judicial branches Of the govern
ment are received between the hours
Of II and IL; after which tho diplo-
matte corps, officers Of the army and
oy,I o.xy,l
"The President accepts no invita-
tions to dinner and makes no calls
or visits of ceremony; but is at lib
erty to visit, without ceremony, At
his pleasure. An invitation to din
ner to the President must be &C.
cepted in writing and previous en-
gagement cannot take precedence.
The address Of tho Executive in
conversation is Mr.. President.
1.-THE Vice e-President-A visit from
the Vice-President is due to the Pros
1dent on the meeting Of Congress-.
He Is entitled to the flrst visit, from
all others, which he may return by
card or in person."
Vice-President and Mrs. Marshall
are perhaps the most universally
popular persons In official life TO-
day. They do the dining out for
the President, and their popularity
adds to the number Of dinners they
attend in their own right.
Mrs: Marshall and the Queen
The foreign visitors to this coun-
try in the last year have been re-
ceived and entertained by Mr.. and
Mrs. Marshall. It was commented
in Washington that while the Queen
Of the Belgians was a visitor &C oaor
capital she and Mrs. Marshall wer.
inseparable.
And speaking Of the Belgian visi-
tors brings to mind the story Of the
young prince. OF course. this story
is simply another Washington
rumor. 1t is said that the vouno