The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1923-12-14
Diplomatic Levee
Brilliant
Event
BY JEAN ELIOT.

ways the most colorful Of the
- state levees. And doubly inter-
esting this time because it is the
first big function OF the Coolidge
Administration.
Look on with me from this
coign Of vantage and see just how
it's done. It's early yet and the
party's not scheduled to begin until
9 o'clock. But the diplomats are
already assembling in the state
dining room. And everythings in
readiness. The Marine Band, a
gorgeous spot of color in scarlet
coats, donned only for White
House festivities. The Star and
Stripes thanking the Blue Room
door, with the Presidents flag on
the other side. The color guard,
uniformed soldiers and sailors.
Aides in full regalia, apparently
dozens of them.
There come some Of the leaders
of official world. Seem to be as
sembling in the red room. And
the State Department folk. The
Undersecretary or State and Mrs.
William Phillips. The Director OF
the Consulor Service and Mrs.
Carr. Mr.. and Mrs. J. Butler
Wright. Sc her picturesque lit
tie curtsey. reminiscent, perhaps
CT the Court of st. James. The
WrightS, you know, were long
attached to our embassy in Lon
don. Mr.. and Mrs. Robert Lansing
arrive. Isn't she lovely in a
gown of orchid brocade flecked
with silver? to bring out the
silvery lights In her hair.
The diplomats all have the
coveted little blue tickets, which
admit to the South entrance.
They are escorted at once to the
lining room. Now the guests are
beginning to seep into the east
room. They viii: not be received
until $50 after the diplomatic,
and the other special guests have
been down the line"
A new note OF simplicity in the
decorations, JUS palms, great Aus
tralian ferns and few cut flowers.
In the dining room lavender chrys-
anthemums-small, single ones ga
stead OF the great heavy blossoms
one sees so much nowadays. Great
bowls Of pink carnations set off me
classic beauty OF the east room.
Lilies and white carnations in the
blue room. Roses, mostly pink, in
the other drawing rooms.
A stir. Someone is coming down
the stairs. 1t is Frank w. Stearns,
of Boston. who is so much at the
White House as to be regarded as
one OF the family. A flourish of
trumpets. Now they are coming!
YWVE3E hand OF ,-ilxaz -, %l,o @o-,11,o,.
4 Hail to the Chief" Two aids,
then two more, in blue with gold
lace and aiguillettes-the White
House aids are the only army Of
ficers now privileged to wear dress
uniforms. The President and Mrs.
Coolidge bowling and smiling. The
Cabinet in order Of precedence.
They had first been received in the
private apartments upstairs after
long-established custom.
Mrs. Coolidge is all in white.
with white roses in her arms.
Looks like bride. A general cf.
feet of black and white. Miss
Ailsa Mellon, slim as q sapling in
black velvet, with long strings of
pearls from the shoulders. More
pearls caught by an ornament in
front. Mrs. Weeks in white, am
broidered III pearls and rhine.
stones. A bright green coque
feather fan. Mrs. New in black
velvet. Mrs. DENLY In white again,
with crystal beading.
There's color in the little pro-
cession after all. Mrs. Hughes is
wearing pink and silver. Mrs.
Work also has a rose-colored
gown-velvet, think, and simply
made. And Mrs. Wallace is in
lavender. her costume of georgette
and lace. combined. Mrs. Hoover
is wearing black and gold bro
cade. She has a stunning topaz,
big as. the .proverbial hens egg,
hung by chain about her neck.
Secretary and Mrs. Hughes fol-
low the President and Mrs.
Coolidge, of course. Then Secre-
tary Mellon and his daughter.
the Secretary Of War and Mrs.
Weeks, Attorney General Daugh-
erty, with Secretary Of Labor
Davis-neither Mrs. Daugherty
nor Mrs. Davis are present-Post-
master General and Mrs. New,
Secretary OF the Navy and Mrs.
DENLY, the Secretary of the In
terror and Mrs. Work, the Secre-
tary of Commerce and Mrs.
Hoover. and the Secretary of