davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1923-06-07

er a consequential matter Of expense. To
present oneself at a door without visit
ing cards In hand Is to commit a ter
rible breach Of etiquette. However, one
little woman got bravely by last sea-
son, when on calling at a legation she
discovered no card In her case. There
was one, however. OF a woman who had
called upon her, but who was just then
in Europe. Down went the card on the
tray, and In she sailed to meet her
hostess The only trouble arose when
the poor hostess attempted to return
the visit of the woman who was abroad.
The card system has it's curses, too
There are hundreds OF persons In Wash
ington who have no fixed abode or
live in inaccessible places. They, too.
officials who sometimes spend fruitless
hours in attempting to return visit
on some one who was merely passing
through the town.
Rockbound Duties.
It is the business of young diplo-
mats to call on senator's wives, even
while the wives Of foreign ministers
and senators wives are contending
behind their fans as to which should
make the first call, and II they do not,
they will And themselves let out on
something when it is not desirable.
Women in official life have lived in
Washington for twenty years with
out ever seeing the inside of the
White House or meeting a President
and his wife. There was but one
explanation and that is that she had
not fulfilled her official social duty.
While not Of the cave dwellers. she
yet was one Of the EXTREMIST types.
And speaking of cave dwellers re-
calls an incident which happened last
season. The wife Of clever young
diplomat frequently heard the term
"caye dweller," and at an afternoon
tea remarked after being asked If
she had seen everything interesting
In the capital, Yes; everything but
a cave dweller. and do wish I could
see one"
Not 20 different this story than the
one Of another foreigner who had
thought much Of seeing Indians when
he arrived In this country, that is,
going to the reservations to see them,
but who instead was confronted by
quite q number when alighting from
a train at the Union station. 1t was
not he himself. put his young son,
who wished. while sightssetng IN tha
Evening star., 1923-06-07

social life as we'll as splendid educa-
tional institutions.
Schoolgirls Wreck Tea.
While social reference is no longer
asked by any school in Washington
certain social advantages are offered:
and in the days of open house in the
homes of cabinet members and other
high officials it was not unusual to
see a bevy of twenty or thirty pretty
girls from a fashionable boarding
school swoop down on the tea table
of a cabinet woman on her day at
home and leave it looking like a
locust plague had passed that way.
Now such receptions are by appoint
ment and the embarrassment of haV-
ing late official callers find an eNpty
table is obviated.
Where once were modest official
homes in Washington have in late
years-in the past thirty years-rfsen
up homes equal in elegance and
splendor to those of the capitals Of
the old world. some of them the resi-
dences of officials, but more of them
belonging to the retired class, When
the late l.. q. Letter of Chicago chose
Dupont Circle as a site for his resi-
dence Ii was section in the full
glory of social preference. Later
came the Robert Pattersons from the
same city. and the Herbert Wads-
worths, the w. J. Boardmans, the
Thomas F. Washes, the Edison Brad
leys and others, who settled in the
same vicinity. Dupont Circle was the
mecca of the retired class. Alas, the
inroads of trade have crept on apace
until the once socially sacred pre-
cinct boasts a bank, an automobile
sales place. a drug store, cleaning
esta ablishment, florist shop, soon an
opera house and a gigantic business
block, which will greatly dwarf in
size the residences near by. Massa
chusetts avenue extended. once a
wilderness hard of access, Is a splen-
did wide avenue. with a vista seldom
to be seen in a city. Vieing with Du-
pont Circle, there rose up Sheridan
Circle. surrounded by palatial homes.
while the adjacent streets are ave-
nues of great beauty.
Social Center Moves.
The awakening to the social possi-
bilities of the capital has been slow
but sure, and there is now a realiza-
tion that every foot of ground in
the area. of seventy square miles Is
Of almost unreckoned values Those
Evening star., 1923-06-07

capital later on, to be shown the
wigwams where they lived.
Ex-oficials Stay On.
Some years ago Washington was
sought out by the rich retired-class
first came to spend a season or two
and became 80 enamored of the beau
ties Of the place that they concluded
to remain on and on. This has given
to the capital an impetus in real es-
tate which 1t could have enjoyed in no
other way. There is the circle of ex-
ambassadors which includes the Rob-
ert McCormicks who saw life from
that standpoint in Russia and Italy;
the Henry Whites, the former having
enjoyed life as ambassador to France:
the George Maryes, who were in Rus
sia; David Jayne Hill, who was in
Germany. and so on. all of whom
having enjoyed the sweets of official
life abroad returned to end their days
in the same social atmosphere in the
American capital.
Retired business men. retired pro-
fessional men, miners, bankers, mer-
chants and what not are all repre-
sented in society, and to condemn
man in trade who seeks social honors
is but to throw cold water on Wash
ingtons entire social structure.
While many families Of other cities
come here to live and enjoy society,
there are others, natives of the soil.
who have gradually climbed upward
from obscure corners and, gaining
little, generation by generation, stand
at last upon safe social terra firma q.
A ladder never to be ignored Is one
whose rungs are made of private
schools. AS a mere educational CEN
ter Washington holds an enviable
place in the world, for added to the
regular curriculum Is the advantage
of feeling the very heart -throb of a
great nation. studying various
branches of the government, meeting
officials, and, in fact, enjoying
phase Of social life such as students
may not enjoy in any other city Of
this country, but sometimes to q
small extent in the capitals Of other
republics. There was q time when
included in the prospectus or cata-
logue of several young ladies' schools
social reference was asked from the
students. On the very face of 1t
this was so terribly incongruous that
finally 1t has been cut out. Hence
tha schools ara stAppinEt- stonAA 10
Evening star., 1923-06-07

diplomatic position; for he II said
mere brains and blood count for but
little in the more superficial part OF
the structure. Take II as you will, 1t
is blessing to this as we'll as 10
other cities, for it pours money into
the Golfers of the merchant. creates
a market where otherwise there
would be none and gives rise to am
bitions which would not otherwise
spring within the human breast.
The axis of Washington society. as
it is of all Washington life. Is the
White House Around IL revolves the
entire social structure. whether from
the standpoint of what is ordinarily
designated society or from the view
point of an American citizen at large.
Not only is the White House the
axis. but II Is the very beginning
of things social. The first thing you
do. whether aspiring to social recog-
milton or merely fulfilling an official
duty. is to pay your respects to the
President and the first lady of the
land. Thus you become a part of
the White House social card index.
You drive up to the door and leave
Evening star., 1923-06-07

that students desiring to study the
art of the orient will find it neces-
sary henceforth to come here for this
purpose.
Great Whistler Collection.
The Whistler collection comprises
oil paintings, water colors pastels,
etchings and drawings, and is the
largest and most comprehensive COL
lection of the work of any one painter
in this country. If not in the world.
In II are included several Of whis-
tiers world famous nocturnes, his por-
trait of Mr.. Leyland and, complete, the
famous peacock room which was built
into Mr.. Leyland's London home and
purchased and brought to this coun-
try by Mr.. Freer at his death Over
the mantel is Whistlers well known
painting. THE Little Princess of
Porcelain Land and on the wall op-
posite is the peacock decoration,
which is repeated on the shutters and
in the other decorative features. Rare
examples Of oriental pottery are on
the shelves which cover the walls.
Besides the Whistler paintings, this
gallery shows charming collections Of
paintings by Abbott H. Thayer, in
cluding one of the best of his well
Evening star., 1923-06-07

element of Washington. sitting
neither in the seats of the mighty
NOR at their feet, but simply looking
ON in an interested way. They are
Scientists-many of them wearing un-
Ger shabby jacket decorations. the
highest bestowed by foreign coun-
tries. for some special prowess in
ftheir line-scholars, professional peo-
fple, writer's, business or commercial
people, and then government clerks
to the number Of more than 100 900.
And now you have Washington So
ciety. or at least as society Is defined
by Webster--the union of a number
of rational beings: and Blackstone
says the true and natural founda-
tions of society are the wants and
fears of individuals" But from what
ever standpoint it may be viewed. the
institution as it exists in the capital
of the United States is an interest
ing one and so elastic as to be adapt
ed to any class, sort of condition.
Officially 1t is necessarily interesting.
AS a means of mere social pastime
and ACKNOWLEDGMENT it is still
SO. And as viewed by residents at
Evening star., 1923-06-07

and having fulfilled your first obliga-
ton. you are going to be invited there
for garden tea, a musical, re-
ception or by special request. unless.
of course. 1t is matter of mere
through the White House social sec
retary, a special audience with the
mistress of the mansion. If II is pos
sible for her to receive you. and there
is no question about her doing II II
it is at all possible, you will be given
a day and an hour for calling. Not
to be on the very second of time Is
an offense not to be excused. and
you Will meet at this appointment
group of other guests. a sufficient
number to take Off the edge OF en-
barrassment.
White House Register Gone.
There was time when you had
to register at the White House Just
as in a big hotel, but that scheme
seems to have vanished and your card
is registered for you. However. the
register was a splendid thing, for 1t
gave to the White House one of the
most complete autograph albums in
the world. On 1t were registered all
the great men, and often women too,
from every point of the compass.
Bearing a date at the top Of the page,
II became an official document of un-
told value. as from it could be fixed
White House by members of the royal
family, grandees of the old world or
the historic characters of our own
country. When new presidential
office building arose and the executive
part of White House business was
removed from the Presidents resi-
dence the social routine also changed,
becoming. perhaps, less democratic
Having started on your social climb
in Washington by leaving your card
on the Presidents household you have
but to proceed along down the line
of ofticialdom. Unlike the business
world. where you begin at the bottom
and go up, in official Washington So
ciety you begin at the top and come
down. If you function socially as
you should you are apt to become so
inspired and awed with the upper
strata Of the official world. that. like
an astronomer who hunts for new
celestial beauties. you are all too apt
to forget the terrestrial sphere. the
terra firm or foundation upon which
the entire social structure Is built
and so never know your neighbor
unless he, too, is on a card-dis-
tributing jaunt.
Socially Washington is terribly like
the old. old nursery rhym born on Mon
day. born on Tuesday Call on
Monday you meet the ladies of the Su-
preme Court circle. Call on Tuesday,
Evening star., 1923-06-07
CAPITALIZE COMING SOCIAL CENTER
Many and Others Prefer Remaining Here Returning
to Homes-Conventions, Precedence and Calling Gard
: System Bewider New Arrivals Schoolgirl Gorgng
at Cabinet Teas Eliminated.

II you are a member of Washington
society you are a cosmopolite. The cap
ital is a cosmorama, but not more so
than are other capitals of the world
only in that we exaggerate peoples and
conditions little more. We jazz up
on individuals and sets and give our
favorites a snowy and terrific spin
for a long or short time. A bowling
social success of one administration
or term of office may leave one but a
respectable recluse. semi-recluse or a
cave dweller for the rest of his days
in Washington.
Official. unofficial and just folks.
That is the way the social scale runs.
Officials are the more important be-
cause it is necessarily so in a great
capital Unotficials are the cushions
upon which officials sit. and just
folks are the backbone of the city.
Washington may not be quarreled
officials. because they are chosen by
the citizens at large and sent to
Washington to function. Cnofficials
are truly cosmopolite, for. having
been once chosen by the people and,
from personal desire or reasons be-
yond their control, they are rejected
as officials by their particular section Of
country, they feel themselves persona
non grata back home, and, being thrill
ed with the glamour of social success
they remain on. If their worldly for
tunes are not quite sufficient to meet
social demands they may at least for
a time land on some well-feathered
commission and scarcely lose d dinner
party in the change.
Official Versus Unofficial.
There is always an explanatory at
mosphere from each of the two sets.
official and unofficial, as to why they
are as they are-an air of elucida-
ton. From the unofficial, an lily dis
guised explanation that they are not
official. not in any way to be confused
with official society, they are merely
private residents etc. With the Off
cial there is a blessed assurance that
having been chosen for a particular
niche in the nations capital other
things come to them as a matter OF
course. Quite naturally, in fact.
Diplomats are the meteoric lights
around which both official and un-
official society revolves with more or
less nearness and rapidity. They are
the splendor of dinner parties. the
brilliant radiating points for dances.
the interesting friends of travelled
folk and altogether they are the most
envied residents by society folk of
Washington. Just folk envy diplo-
Evening star., 1923-06-07

who clung to Massachusetts avenue
from Thomas Circle to Dupont Circle
have shifted their moorings and are
| building palatial homes several miles
beyond. sixteenth street. with its
bewildering cowpaths of a few years
ago. Is now the boulevard for mora
embassies, and legations than any
other section of the city, while thoa,
who have come to know the value Cf
country life have established on the
outskirts of the city, but within tie
District, some as beautiful and de
lightful homes as are to be founl in
America, while others have songht
Virginia and Maryland. but in CLOSE
proximity to Washington.
OF course, Washington society has
Its parasites, but what capital has
not? These microbes of the social
world are hest described By Milton
and Dryden-one marvels that they
existed in those days, 9o-as a
trencher friend; one that tfrequents
the tables of the rich and/earns his
welcome by flattery; hanser-on, and
so on. But frequently they are of
use II not of entertainmeHt and their
habitat Is not restricted TO Washing
ton. The breed conatantly spreads
the rich the associated charities are
saved expense. Fopeign countries
have ceased to paupefize their young
diplomats and are selecting men with
private fortunes or they pay better
salaries. The young attache or secre-
tary who once lAundered his own
hosiery, pasted bis handkerchiefs or
the window pane to dry and denied
himself week eTd house parties be-
cause of the tfps to servants of the
house now keeps tolerable estab-
lishment of his own and entertains in
charming manner.
Club life, TOO. holds out it's lure t.
social Washington and while a few
years ago there We're but few clubs
patronizedjby the wealthy and infiu-
entail clabs. there are now many
The Congressional Club sprang up
for the wives and daughters and sis
ters of senators and representative
and made eligible the wives Of Vice
Presidents and cabinet members;
other wemen's clubs have assumed
equal Importance, and the Metropoli-
tan Club. the Army and Navy Club.
the Racquet Club and the many coun-
try clpbs all hold out an invitation
to the newcomer who may need hos
pitalItH -4,--..,.-------------
Evening star., 1923-06-07

mats not because they are diplomats,
not because they are the representa-
tives Of great or small countries nor
for any particular honor that has
been conferred upon them elsewhere.
but because they are known as our
exempt residents.
A diplomat is exempt from the arm
of the law in every way. His country
might be called upon to discipline
him, but this has seldom happened.
He is sometimes asked to "go home"
but this has happened SO infrequently
that there is scarcely enough of it
upon which to found story. He
may rent a small house in an OBJ
scure corner or a mansion as good
as the capital boasts, and it is for the
term of the lease foreign soil, and is
therefore exempt If his country
owns an embassy or legation-and
most of the countries dot certainly
is exempt from every intrusion of the
law. His chauffeur, ignorant or dis
regardful of traffic regulations, may
dash about as he will, break any
Evening star., 1923-06-07

its power to make Washington, as its
one-time president, the late Thomas
Nelson Page, said, the most beautiful
capital city in the world. Under It's
auspices for the benefit Of it's mem
bers and their friends are held each
year illustrated lectures on the fine
arts. lectures on literature. concerts
and lecture recitals. The New York
Symphony Orchestra for several years
past has given each winter, under the
auspices Of this organization, a series
of evening concerts in the auditorium
of the Central High School. which
seats approximately two thousand ar
price which those of moderate
means can afford to pay.
On Connecticut avenue at L stree.
is located the art center where the
Art and Archaeology League has its
headquarters and where exhibitions.
mostly of the arts and crafts of for
eign people. are held for the purpose
of bettering International relation
ships and increasing sympathetic in
ternational understanding.
Three national art associations have
their headquarters in Washington az
the Octagon House, 18th and New
York avenue. the American Institute
Of Architects. which owns the build
Evening star., 1923-06-07

the wives of the members of the lower
House of Congress; Wednesday, the
wives of cabinet officials; Thursday, the
wives of senators; Friday, the wives Of
diplomats, and Saturday, the socially
smart from everywhere who disdain
to trespass on official preserves Even
Sunday is visiting day, thought not
officially scheduled, and the very cream
of society hold II as a day at home,
breakfasts at midday or sometimes an
old-fashioned midday dinner or a lun-
cheon being favorite methods while
teas and evening dinner parts on Sun
day are quite popular.
Endless Round of Calls,
This line of visits must be made if
you wish to figure in the social world
of Washington. After calling on the
wife of the President and the wife Of
the Vice President. and the wives Of
cabinet officers. you may think of let
ting up on 1t, but had better not.
You will wish to give dinner parties.
and while nothing could be more de-
sirable than to have the Vice President
and his wife, and the Secretary of State
and his wife, and so on through the
cabinet, as guests. yet they never all
dine together, except In the series Of
cabinet dinners or some great organi-
cation event. You will need senators
and their wives and representatives and
their wives to make a well balanced
Evening star., 1923-06-07

dinner party. You should add to this
formula some persons Of lesser official
rank. say an assistant secretary of
something and his wife. or the heads
of commissions, or reach out into the
judiciary and get two or three couples
Lest you may be thought too preten-
tious. it is nice to skim the cream of
Of the mere folks set, and thus add In
terest to the feast. You may think to
ignore the card game in Washington,
the visiting card game. but you cannot
If you do.
The new representatives wife who
had a hundred cards printed by the en-
graver OF her home town, not because
she expected to need them. but because
three afternoons OF calling, and in q
perfect frenzy ordered her first thou
sand. And, indeed, the mere engraved
pastebQard itsslf IN not tr4da, but rath.
Evening star., 1923-06-07

cards. If you are feminine member
of the great social structure you
leave a card for the temporary mis-
tress of the mansion-for at the most
she may have a residence there but
for eight years. If you have a hus-
band you leave two cards bearing his
name, one for the President and one
for the first lady. Right here you
become part of the social index.
You are registered socially. You are.
all things being equal, going to be
put on the White House social list,
Evening star., 1923-06-07

large, or folks, it is big show, with
frequent stars arising; 1t is a source
of income to the merchant, a pleasure
to the scholar and a we'll set stage
for the diplomat, where there is
plenty of applause from the audience,
especially the boxholders.
Cosmopolitan Washington.
And Washington society is so
cosmopolitan, that but to knock is
to enter--I rovided you have the re-
quisite-that is, money or official or
Evening star., 1923-06-07


safety rule and maintain whatever
speed he or the occupants of his car
wish, and he is exempt from arrest.
Embassy Cellars.
But perhaps it Is for none of this
that he is most envied just now,
especially by the convivial members
of society. but because of his cellar.
The Volstead law cannot touch him
when he drinks his own wines and
administers them to his friends on
his own native soil. The women of
the diplomatic corps are the most
envied by othef women, not for their
splendid attire-the American wives
of foreign diplomats are almost
always the only women Of the corps
who make much Of a stab at the sar-
torial art-but because of their su-
preme independence in such matters.
To all appearances they never come
to Washington to excite envy along
this line. .
Just folks are the most interesting
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1923-05-24
Riley Poems In Tab
Ieau AtFirst Meth
odist Church

The poems of the beloved Indiana
poet, James Whitcomb Riley, will
Some to life this evening in series
of tableaux al the first Methodist
church. The recreational department
of the church which is led by Mrs.
NJ. e. Miller, will present the pro-
..gram which will be interesting to
all ages.
The Prayer Perfect" posed by
Corinne Travis. will be very lovely.
Granny, by Mrs. l.. r. Shirk, and
Ruth. Joe, Paul, and Billy Jorden, as
grand children, will remind one of
own childhood days. "A Life Les
--sn,. will feature. Miss Anne Stith
russell, Miss Mildred Downey Nc
svonald and Miss Ara Mckay.
Misses Grace and Gladys Carr will
sffer "Griggsby station The favo-
rite "old Sweetheart of Mine" will
!. be posed by Miss Norinne Jones. And
who has not thrilled, and shivered
while listening to Little Orphant
Annie" which will be contributed
by Miss Anne Malone. Miss Grace
Huffstutler will star In Our Hired
. Girl" and "Out At Old Aunt Mary.
by Mrs. Hattie Rush. J. D. Mcdonald
and Paul Sitith, will bring back
ppignant memories. delightful
number will be the popular Rag
eedy Man." oosed by Mr.. Ralph Law
Russell and Ralph VI. THE name
~of Old Glory" by Miss Ruth Stith
will form fitting fina1e.