Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1923-04-08
Many Nice Things
Oppose Views of
Mrs. POindexter.
Says Dry La,O Is as
Well Obeyed Here
as Anywhere.
by CAROLYN VANCE.

Balm has been poured upon tne
lacerated feelings of Washington So
ciety by Mary Roberts Rinehart. She
refused to comment upon the furore
caused by Mrs. Miles Poimdexter's
latest EXPOSE" of social life in the
capital. but the manv nice things Mrs.
Rinehart has to say about society
here have acted as a soothing portion
to its wounded pride.
My social experience here" said
Mrs. Rinehart yesterday has been
extremely stimulating and interesting
Conversation turns less upon person
alities at Washington dinner tables
than in any other city in which
have lived. There is not an obvious
avoidance of such topics, but as one
does not meet the same people again
and again, as in other cities, but
many people from many lands. the
conversation necessarily drifts to af-
fairs, and often to world affairs"
Strict Social Code.
1t is the dignity of capital society
that has so impressed Mrs. Rinehart,
and it, in turn, is impressed by her
writing, by her good looks and her
really charming personality. Since
her husband DIR. Stanley Rinehart,
position in the Veterans Bureau,
which necessitated their removing
from Pittsburgh to Washington a lit
tie over year ago, the Rineharts
have been one of the most popular
couples in the smart set.
The strict social code and rules
of precedence which are maintained
here i believe to be wholly ad
mirable." the novelist continued. land
entirely necessary. The members of
n ~ oot 10 ln-
customed to a formal society, but as
representatives of their governments
must be treated with the dignity and
punctilious courtesy which one gov
eminent owes to another.
Dinner Coat Tnfavored.
Il have heard humorous comment
outside of Washington on the fact
that the anxious hostess may call up
the State Department to have her
dinner seated There is nothing
humorous about it where the repre-
sentatives of foreign governments
are among the guests. or even when
our own high officials are to be pres
ent. We pay tribute in these cases
not to individuals, but to what they
represent.
Even dress reflects this Formally
Europe does not recognize the dinner
coat for men to any great extent.
This last winter, when the cult of
the dinner coat was widespread in
New York for instance. washingt On
used it but rarely.
Precedence Strictly Rules.
Other formalities rule also. Wash
ington not only goes out to dinner in
strict order of precedence, but leaves
II in the same fashion. The highest
ranking lady or the guest of honor
makes her adieus before the others
And l have seen considerate women
take a formal farewell of the hostess
and thus. having given the others
permission TO go if they so desire. sit
down to spend a pleasant evening.
Absurd? Not at all. The rules OF
precedence are really valuable to the
hostess. making the seating of her
dinners automatic.
Il have spoken mainly of dinners.
because Washington is dinner
city. True. it goes on to balls after
is based on its dinners. Think of din
ing out for three months in success
sion, as we have done, as many do.
and meeting new groups all the time.
people who do things. people in touch
with affairs everywhere: One must
learn something.
Homes Free OF Business.
But Washington does not transact
affairs in private houses. or over its
tables. And in this l think it differs
from many other capitals. There is
no unofficial government. so called.
have been surprised to find no salons
in the French sense. Our own women
in Washington often seem to be much
less interested III government than
women in other cities. Perhaps they
are too close.
And here is an interesting thing.
from the outsiders viewpoint. The
men most conspicuous from national