The New York herald., 1921-05-08
PICTURESQUE POLO BALL
GIVEN IN WASHINGTON
Brilliant Costumes Worn by the Women-Members OF
the Teams Appear in Riding Garb-
Social Notes Of Capital.
WASHINGTON, d. c., May Z.
AJOR JOHN QUEKEMEYER,


he gave Monday night at the Willard |
Not only was 1t about the prettiest ball |
of the season. but it was quite the
"peppiest." And smart? My word, |
yes!
Everybody was talking Tuesday |
morning about the party, and it must
have netted a goodly sum to aid In
promoting polo in the District and
in purchasing equipment for the War
Department teams. You wouldn't
have believed that ball could be at
once so big. The company was one
of the largest which has turned out
for a benefit ball this winter. and SO
exclusive. When one remembers that
Society-of the capitalized sort-has
danced with more OF less enthusiasm
for every charity under the sun this
winter it seems almost impossible that
1t should have turned out with re-
newed interest for any cause what
soever. But it did-Major Quekemeyer
and the other polo enthusiasts brought
out an assemblage which would have
done credit to really smart private
ball. in addition to those who relig-
iously buy boxes or tickets for every
benefit ball of the season, and as re-
ligiously stay away from them. Every
body came-everybody! And they all
seemed to be having the time Of their
lives. and there was the pleasantest
atmosphere Of friendly camaraderie |
about 1t all.
1t was "Quekemsyer's little party"
because he had charge of the arrange
ments. His good humor and friendly
enthusiasm for anything that he goes
into at all are infectious. Wearing the
green and white of the War Department
Greens, which he captains. he greeted
many Of the guests as they left the ele-
vators and passed them on to his lieu
tenant, Major John Milliken, who rides
with the Greens, and also wore his polo
togs. He presented them to the Secre-
tary Of War and Mrs. Weeks. who
headed the receiving party. which in
cluded the Assistant Secretary OF War.
Mr. Wainwright: Gen. Pershing and
Gen. March. Mrs. Weeks. who was the
only woman on the Zine" (Mrs. Vain
wright, who had expected to be there.
was detained in New York;. wore
lovely gown Of amethyst brocade. chlf-
fon foundation with graceful raised
design In velvet of the same shade, COM
bined rather sparingly with gold. The
costume was made In simple lines and
very little trimmed, depending for its
charm on the beauty oc the lines and
the richness of the material
Unique Decorations.
Getting past the cline" one found
oneself in one Of the most attractively
decorated bathrooms The season has
brought forth--or many seasons, Tor
that matter Crossed polo maliets. polo
balls. horse shoes and other sporting
paraphernalia were used in great profu-
sion against a background Of flags
quantities of flags. Not only were the
Stars and Stripes lavishly used, offset
by trailing green, but there was frieze
OF regimental flags running completely
around the room, and special service
flags here and there and punches OF gay
balloons fastened on the boxes. It's the
first time / recall seeing Gen. Pershings
four starred scarlet flag, which was
broken out above the great centre box
where he entertained in addition to the
| receiving party as soon as 1t got of
duty. his father-in-law. Senator Francis
Warren, and Mrs. Warren and Col. and
| Mrs. George Marshall and a steady
| stream of visitors throughout the even
| ing.
IL made a colorful setting for very
! colorful party which did not depend on
the women's gowns and jewels to make
I the scene spectacular, for polo players
were numerously present wearing their
picturesque togs-the green, scarlet or
orange Jackets with white breeches
I which distinguish the three War De-
partment teams and the scarlet and
/ white striped blouses of the several Fort
4 Myer teams made brilliant splashes OF
color and william Phelps Emo and
| George Oakley Tottsn contributed their
bit by appearing in hunting pink. The
whole effect was gay in the extreme and
i perfectly corking music helped along the
I general spirit of the evening. On the
whole Il was a spectacular success.
Tho French Ambassador and Nine.
Jusserand had a box at the ball and
the British Embassy had two. One was
occupied by the counsellor OF the en-
bassy, Henry Getty Chiffon. but recently
returned from Brazil, where he was sent
on his first promotion to the rank OF
counsellor less than year ago. and
Mrs. Chiffon. Major and Mrs. G. =. d.
Bridge, III. ". Tenant. Capt c. j. Hem
ry. Harold Sims and Arthur Yencken,
while the other had NJ. ID. Peterson. Mr..
and Mrs. II. l.. Craigie, Capt S. r.. Bayly
and Count de Sails of the embassy stan.
and Miss Olyve Graef and Miss Ailsa
Mellon, the Secretary of the Treasury's
pretty young daughter. who has only
Just come to Washington and has been
the guest OF the Graefs while the big
apartment at 1855 Massachusetts ave.
nue. which Secretary Mellon has taken.
was being put in complete readiness.
These two and several OF the younger
members of the embassy staff had been
guests earlier In the evening at dinner
which Miss Louise Littauer gave for Miss
Mellon.
The British Ambassador, and Lady
Geddes divided their time between the
two boxes, when they weren't visiting
around among their friends. They had
not expected TO be able to come to this
dinner, for they had planned a visit TO
Ottawa, where they were to be guests nj
Government House for this week: but
for some reason that was postponed, so
they we're much In evidence there and
at the party the Gilletts gave for the
Cooldges the next night. Lady Geddes
has announced that she will observe no
more days at home this season.
other Parties I'm Boxes.
1t was rather hard to tell at the rate
everybody was visiting everybody else.
who was with who. and where. Sonora
DE Riano, wife OF the Spanish Ambassa-
dor. seemed to be with Mrs. Richard
Townsend. At least she was In her box
a good part Of the evening, as was Mrs.
Townsend's daughter Mrs. Peter Goelet