Pueblo chieftain., 1921-04-24
BY Frederic ]. Haskin.

~-Washingto, D. c., April 21.-should
the wife of justice of the supreme
court walk in to dinner ahead Of a
senator's wife, or should it be the
other way round?
tcrest, the most debated questions
which perplex the great minds that
govern the greatest democracy on
earth. And it. is one of many such
questions. 1t is a symptom of state
of mind. For in this capital of the
country where all men have been pro-
claimed equal, the question of social
rank and social procedure Is given an
Importance which is paralelled only
tribes in which violation Of the ord
er of precedence is punished by death.
Here you are punished by social or
political death. instead of physical.
II you fail to make the proper genu-
fiection~ before the reisning princes.
At the beginning of new admini-
stration there is always degree of
uncertainty and apprehension in
Washington society.
For example. at recent formal
function here social leaders gasped
of the vice president, entered the room
at the right of the guest of honor
while Mrs. Harding. wife of tho prcsl-
dent, was on the left.
A Social Crisis
Washington shivered. It feared that
this radical departure from all set
rules was the signal for n social revo
luton. The administration was new.
Its policies toward Washington's here
were unknown. Could it be that the
system worked out in intricate detail
by generations of social mentors. was
threatened?
Mrs Harding had not mingled to
any great extent in Washington ex-
elusive society during her years here
as the wife of the senior senator from
Ohio. Her attitude toward society was
In doubt. The new administration had
been in existence but a few days For
the moment society held its breath in
dreadful suspense.
The few weeks that have elapsed
since that first error have relieved the
minds of the social elect. Apparent
~ the slip was unintentonal. Mrs.
Harding seems of a mind to follow the
Precedence. the god befores whom
Washington society bows. has been
appeased. At formal functions at the
White House since then for members
Of the official and diplomatic set the
rules Of precedence have been
Social leaders. and those seeking So
caal preferment. employ experts Of
precedence ~ secretAri%s 70 warn
them against breaches OF the safred
I ritual The OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES en-
ploys . staff Of precedence experts
TO conduct thfoeu1Al and formal state
functions according to rules. They are
versed In tho rules not only Of this
country but Of foreign capitals. and
| have charge Of the visits Of foreign
rulers and statesmen. Moot points Of
| order arc submitted to these govern
mrnt experts by society leaders in
Washington and members Of the ofYic-
ial and diplomatic circles, anxious to
be on the safe side. Before a diplo-
| matte wedding. for an example long
consultations are held at the state de-
partment to determine the extent and
character Of tho invitation liat.
New points Of precedence, arc con-
tinualiy arising and old ones are al
ways in dispute. What shall the atti-
tudc OF tho social elect in Weshing-
ton be toward Mrs. Wilson. wife OF a
former president, the first to make his
home, after retiring. in Washington? !?
So far the continued illness of the
former president has precluded any
decision on this point. but upon his
complete recovery. should the former