The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1924-01-15
Social Gossip
At Washington
What They Do and Say In
Washington

WHY MAnA AdAlNN - AAN sANH WNNhN
down.
Washington-Thcre isn't a woman
in these United States who would not
be proud to become the first lady OF
the land; but very few. except those
who have occupied the position. have
the f~ain,est idea OF the burdensome
duties attached to the honor.
Volumes have been writin about
the over-worked President but the
over-worked wife OF the President has
received little consideration. She has
been catalogued as an official orn-
ment while. rs a matter OF fact. she
is a Woodworking woman. Leisure
hours are as rare in her life as snow
fakes at the Equator.
Mrs. Coolidge has two secretaries
to share her burdens. She is at their
mercy. in a way. They can make
friends or enemies for her in proper
ton to their ability to treat the
public with diplomacy. Miss Laura
Harlan, daughter OF former Justice
Harlan OF the U. s. supreme court. is
Mrs. Coolidge's private secretary.
Miss Harlan looks after all affairs
OF an official nature. Miss Mary Ran
dolph is Mrs. Coolidge's personal sec
rotary.
A long list OF state functions con-
fronts Mrs. Coolidge as she looks at
her new 1924 calendar. The New
Years reception has usually had first
pLace but this season the diplomatic
reception and dinner preceded il.
Among the formal affairs OF the state
still to come are the reception of the ,
Judiciary on January 10. the supreme +,
court dinner on the twenty-fourth -
the congressional reception on Feb i,
ruary seventh. the speakers dinner on !.
February tweniy-hrst. and the army :.
and navy reception. which is the grand =
finale OF white house entertainments.
Sandwiched between these formal az
iairs OF the state are the dinners given
by members OF the cabinet in honor :
the President and Mrs. Coolidge.
On state occasions the newspaper wo-
men are given a private view Of the
executive mansion in its party dress
Early in the evening before the testify
tiles begin. Mrs. Harding always
anne down to greet the scribes and
o permit them to see her gown.
Mrs. Coolidge does not do this
he present system is designed 10
observe Mrs Coolidge's strength
'heneyer possible. The new admin
aims to relieve the physical
nd nervous strain upon the chief
Seeutive which proved disastrous TO
irs. Taft. the frs, Mrs. Wilson and
} Mrs. Harding
To the initiated the hardships Of
ceiving the homage OF ones admirers
a series OF receptions. the expense
which is borne by an appropriation
ade for that purpose by Congress.
yes not appear to be a great cross.
ut imagine standing in line Tor three
'urs. shaking hands and being greet
by hundreds OF people who are
ewing you chiefly through curiosity
d you may get the other side of the
The novelty Of it nigh, give /,
kick for one or two affairs. but
more.
The state functions are the front
vents but there are innumerable
important demands which mus.
Ike Mrs. Coolidge feel like a small
: At a three-ring circus ii She az
'pts to give all OF them her time
attention.
from old-iimc friends swell
~ mail. Every day visitors in the
send cards TO the white house
the request tina, an hour bc
led when they may pay their re-
rs TO the first lady. Five O'Clock
4 certain afternoon each week IS
lily set aside for the pleasures
guests. Mrs. Coolidge re-
them in the red room and Miss
~ no--s 'c7.