The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1922-07-04

ner and details of other social attain 5
have been given to waiting w0>ld
through these channels.
An effort is sometimes made by
means of the social lobby to mellow
the attitude of the daily press toward
pending projects. Recently, when the
ship subsidy legislation was submitted
to congress, and was subjected to the
fire of newspaper criticism, Albert D.
Lasker, chairman of the United
States shipping board, who Is the
chief sponsor Of the measure, gave a
Inner at his home for the Washing
ton correspondents. Invitations were
telephoned 10 all the representatives
of the more prominent newspapers.
Lasker is comparatively a newscomer
il Washington and the newspaper
men thought it not strange that ne
should desire to establish closer con-
tact with the press. More than 80
correspondents responded, a major
ity of them without knowledge of the
purpose of the affair. A pleasant eV-
ening was had. When the cigars were
reached and the chairs pushed back
from the dinner table, many of the
guests were surprised when their host
trotted out his hobby and in neat
speech extolled its good points.
To make the setting complete, the
president of the United States, Sec
rtary of the Navy Den3y and Assis-
tant Secretary Theodore Roosevelt
were among the guests of the even
ing. The occasion was not dull one,
despite the Eighteenth amendment.
A famous Chicago attorney, who
recently argued case of national IN
terest before the United States su-
preme court, entertained several
press representatives at his hotel,
where the Volstead act was no deter
rent to the Bacchanalian tendencies.
It is to be presumed that the spirit
engendered by this hospitality did
not react unfavorably in the press
notice of the case in which this at
torney was appearing. This method
of currying favor has long been a
practice with this lawyer, who has
amassed millions and bears all the
hallmarks of success.
The influence of White House din
ners in keeping members Of congress
from straying off the administration
reservation has long been recognized.
President Roosevelt once said: A
man who can be bought with dinner
is not worth much" Nevertheless, It
is we'll known in Washington shat
many senators and representatives
under the present and past admins
trations have been deferred from IN
surgency by the pleas of wives and
daughters that it might result in their
being cut off the invitation list for
White House receptions and dinners.
Washington society is dominated
by the official element. Once a sena-
tor or representative is defeated for
public Office, with rare exceptions, his
family loses the coveted privilege of
teas, luncheons, dinners
and receptions in the official set. This
is indeed a sad circumstance in the
lives of many and it has Influenced
more than one public man to try a
political come back" Not even St.
Elba could be so lonely to some of
those who love the social atmosphere
of Washington as to ibe reduced to the
society of "rere friends
The ''House of Mystery"
An apartment bnsCel in the exclu-
sive northwest section IS the domicile
Of several highly placed government
including at least one cabi-
net officer. This hotel is favorlte
with the men who come to Washing
ton on missions which require some
thing more than routine presentation
at the departments or before con-
gressional committees. Here they
are afforded the opportunity for init
mate social contact with the heads or
assistant chiefs of department
and others of influence in govern
ment circles. This hotel is the scene
of many festivities. Many gay par
ties enliven the evenings there.
There, where "dull care is stranger
and where members of the official set
are always on hand for q dance or
dinner, many a big government deal
has been made.
Another place whefe ne social
note predominates is famous "house