The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-11-27
PRESIDENTS WIFE PL AYS POLITICS
Has Prominent Women Lead CTS At White House For
 Political Tea
By RAYMOND CHAPTER heased Wire to The Age-HeralO

WASHINGTON, Nov. 26.--Mrs. Coolidge is setting out to do her bit for the grand old party by inviting women prominent in republican poli tics to the White House tea table. This is the newest quirk injected into the serious business of politics by the granting of suffrage to women.
 Presidents always have used White House luncheon and dinner invita- tions for the purpose of cultivating friendly relations with influential political personages. More than one wavering politician has been. pulled off the fence by a we'll timed invi- tation to lunch with the President Harding found this a c9ngenial and and effective method. Coolidge has used it, though it does not come so natu- rally to him.
 .PoliticaI Tea. At White House.
 Mrs. Coolidge, woman of charm service and compiled willingly. Ar rangements for the first political tea" held Monday, were made through the office of Senator Pepper of Pennsylvania. There were three guests at the tea-Mrs. Barclay Washburton of Philadelphfa, daugh- ter of the late John Wanamaker, vice chairman of the Pennsylvania republican committee, and woman member of the national committee from her state; Mrs. Mary Flynn Lawrence of Pittsburg. daughter of Bill Flynn, one of the old-line Penn sylvania bosses, and herself po- litical power among women of west ern Pennsylvania, and Mrs Worth ington Scranton of Scranton. large contributor to republican cam paign funds. and an active repuo- lican worker in northern PennsylVa- nia. They were invited to Washing ton especially to have tea with Mrs. Coolidge, and were taken to the White House by Senator Peppers s secretary, who arranged the party President Coolidge looked in on the tea for a moment, and then went riding with Ambassador George Harvey.
 This Pennsylvania function takes on especial significance because or the probable candidacy of Governor Pinchot. Mrs. Washburton was one of the Pinchot leaders in the guberna- torial fight year ago. The Pepper Reed forces In Pennsylvania, who are trying to smother the Pinchot presi- dential boom, are seeking to wean some of the influential women of the state away from the governor. The tea party Monday fits in admirably with the program.
 O O O
 Important Affairs.
 Mrs. Coolidge's gathering served to draw attention to the recent series of social political affairs at the White House Last week the President had luncheon guest, Ralph Beaver Strassburger of Norristown, Pa, the financial angel of Hiram Johnson In 1920. Some weeks ago Strassburger showed symptoms of rejoining the Johnson faction, but he has been si- lent lately.
 This procedure was not quite so effective in the case of William Wrigley. Jr., the Chicago chewing gum magnate, who partook of the White House fare one week and de- clared for Hiram Johnson the next, thereby causing keen disappointment to Mrs. Martha Mulvey, the White House cook. who felt this was seri- ous reflection on her art. z
 Some weeks ago President Coolidge told Wisconsin congressman that he intends to have Senator LaFollette at the White House for dinner when the latter returned from Europe. But this invitation h. } not materalized. Senator Borah, one of the other chief Senate dissenters, was asked to the White House board to advise the President on farm relief.
 White House society announce ments these days are watched with close interest by all politicians