The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-12-16
White House Dinner Marks Opening Of
 Social Season

SAOAAANN0l OlN, ooC. lO.-W nile splnions differ on President Cool Ioges first message to Congress as snoWn in the press and expressed by pubic men generally. there is de- nghtful unanimity concerning the first state dinner party which he and Mrs. Coolidge gave the same evening at the White House. Al though weeks ahead of the usual tate for opening the social season pls dinner brought together a com fany of 50 men and women famous Y every walk of American life from Nalne to California and afforded a sultable occasion for inaughFating Ine several notable changes in White House entertainments.
 The dinner was. of course, in the state dining room. where the floral decoration was less elaborate than at the dinners of the Harding regime, put In excellent taste, with delicate Farleyense ferns banking the man. Vie and Madame Butterfly roses in gold vases used for the table deco ration. The famous Dolly Madison mirror and it's accompanying can dleabra of French gilt formed the centerpiece that has been the favor ite table decoration of many past mattresses of the White House, but very modern note was in the light
 The candles were a delicate brown tint harmonizing with the golden glow Of the table and were unshaded. Eight tall candles of the new ec- clesiastical model supplied the shorter tapers in the branched can dleabra. These newer lights were in pairs each in tall, slender golden eandlestick.
 The most significant feature of the table appointments to those guests familiar with White House dinners of past administrations was the appearance of the forks, spoons and some small odd pieces which have been gold plat ted in a first-class manner that gives them the appear ence of solid gold such as are used in Buckin gham Palace, and other courts of Europe This transforma tion from the familiar silver marked Presidents House" or "The White House." according to the time of their purchase was by order of Mrs Warren G. Harding and practically her last official act prior to start ing on the ill-fated journey of last June, from which she returned a widow.
 The china used with this new plate at the cabinet dinner was what Is known as the Wilson service, a set of fine white porcelain with each piece banded in dull gold with an in- ner band of dark blue, the latter much the tone of the blue back ground of the stars in our own flag.
 Mrs. Coolidge, who did the honors
 
 which has endeared her to everyone, wore a new smart gown worthy of the occa sion, a one toned .one-pieoe frock of gold tissue in conventional draped model with square decollage and the new broad shoulder strap that emerges into a short sleeve that covers the under arm for six inches or more. The drapery was held on the right hip by a small cluster of gold roses and the back finished in al tTai nf nr0n0r- tions.
 In the cabinet group Mrs. John w. Weeks, wife of the Secretary of War and Mrs. Hoover. wife of the Secre- ously smart figures in gowns of metal brocade on totally different lines, but of much the same color ing. Both had generous trains, as all gowns for state occasions are jxpected to have.
 Mrs. New, wife of the Postmaster General was also very smartly gowned in black and silver brocade.
 Two famous dowagers compli- mented by invitations to this first state dinner of the new President were Mrs. Eugene Hale and Mrs. stephen B. Elkins, both of whom have seen administrations come and go from their girlhood when they made their respective dehuts as Miss Minnie Chandler of Michigan and Miss Hallie Davis of West Virginia, each. the daughter of a senator. and recognized leader in national affairs. Both are widows of senators or later generation and each the mother of a sitting member of the United States Senate two well known bachelors described in clubs and drawing rooms as Fred Hale ana "Davis Elkins."
 Mrs. Hale, who rarely varies her evening dress except to keep within the picture of the changing modes wore untrimed black velvet with trained skirt, V necked bodice ana sleeves to the elbow. double string of very choice pearls and ear rings of large single pearls suppiieo the contrasting note.
 Mrs. Elkins, who but for her sil- yerad hair might easily be mls- taken for the wife instead of the mother of the present Senator from West Virginia, wore a Caliot gown of sapphire blue velvet draped much like Mrs. Coolidge's golden gown with embroidery of crystal, pearls and sapphire spangles extending diagonaily in motifs of wheat from shoulder to hem. Mrs. Elkins wore diamond tiara and a necklace or diamonds and sapphires.
 The handsomest jewels of the eve ming were worn by Mrs. Edward B. Mclean and included the famous Hone diamond, which is set in coronet of smaller diamonds and emeralds. Mrs Mclean also wore necklace and corsage ornaments or diamonds and emeralds. Her gown was white velvet on the long close lines for which she has been noted for several years.
 Miss Mabel Boardman, like Mrs. Mclean one of the few guests from non-official circles, wore very smart blue brocaded in gold with corsage ornaments of diamonds ana diamond stars in her hair.
 The great latitude shown in the length and width of Milady's skirt Is also appjarent in the new winter hats, While the "cloche" holds its own for most occasions with its cousin the turban tor more formal wear. the round hat that tre best London milliners never abandon IS again coming to the fore.
 Mrs Nicholas Longworth always has several hats of this shape and at the joint session of Congress when in the reserved gallery of the House of which her husband is now the acknowledged leader. wore this round shape in dull velvet em- broidered over Its entire surface in delicate but closely applied silk threads in rich Oriental coloring. This topped a piece gown and short smart jacket of dark blue cloth.
 Mrs. Thomas Campbell. who Is passing the winter with her hus-