The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-02-17
Viuid Picture Of Washington Life And One OfMost Engaging Personalities In White House Giuen In First 4 rticle By Woman Who Has Been Socially Prominent Through Fiue Administrations.

febanS her lnulVlduallty, Tn0Se 10rceIul characteristics inherited from her father, which set her a little apart.
 Few women in America, outside the active workers in some public cause, have focused public interest to such an extent as Alice Longworth. Poseur? I should say not. What she does, unconventional though it may be, is not inspired by a desire to shock so much as an expression of self-deter- imitation, a vigorous protest against irksOme customs and restrictions. Her attitude is one of supreme opinion, don n't-care-a-hoot.
 Other people may model their modes | and manners according to precedents but Alice Longworth will leap. the so- cial barrier with the same agility that she performs athletic stunts such az standing on her head. t7N- ], ! I must tell you about thata,s
 One day woman sat miserably talk ing about her symptoms and their re- actions, her sufferings and the heroic martyrdom which never permitted her pain to dim the happiness of her home. You know the sort of .woman! Have you ever tried standing on your head?" asked Alice, leaning for ward and betraying a sudden interest.
 The woman looked at her a moment, uncertain whether to take offence. But there was not a flicker of smile on !. that Roosevelt face.
 And She Shows How,
 Tt acts like charm" she said, Here, lend me a safety pin,,'
 She secured the hem of her skirt between her knees, and taking cush- ion, placed it on the floor. .-,-- The hypochondriac watched with be- wildered interest.
 Alice Longworth put her head on the cushion, and shot her legs aloft, where she remained poised perfectly.
 The woman gasped and looked at the faces of the other guests. Oh yes, there were quite a number present. They all knew Alice. and being deeply rooted in respectable orthodoxy they enyied the woman her daring, because she could do it and get away with it. No other woman in that room could do it and get away with it. No other woman in that room could have stood on her head and retained such perfect equilibrium of body or composure of mind.
 There, you try that every day, and you won't have lumbago or heart trouble" and she stood erect, returned the safety pin, and resumed her seat with leisurely ease.
 All the world knows, of course, that Alice was one of the pioneers in smok- ing, and left trail of ashes and smoul- dering disgust through conservative cir cles. The disapproval of the, danes was to her like the ash and she flicked 1t aside as meriting no more consid- eration.. She was not deliberately rude but rather delighted fin the shocked look of her elders. She came and went like merry flash. Alice Roosevelt had many of the privileges of princess without any of the restrictions i'm posed by court conventions.
 One night old Mrs. Letter gave a party. It was large and gorgeous affair, with diplomats, and officials and titles there. Oh, this was some years ago. before the turkey trot and cig- arettes had been accepted in the best society.
 A Turkey TrOt Episode
 Few women were smoking then, and those who did kept it dark. Madame Riano had acquired the art iA Spain She had been over with the ambassador and had fallen into line with her adopted countrywomen
 In the middle of old Mrs. Letter. ball, Alice Longworth took it into her head to give an exhibition of the new dance, the Turkey Trot. But to add zest to. the performance she lit n cig- arette first and smoked while she danced. ...
 She sailed down the middle of the room, puffing little jets of smoke at the ceiling. to the horror of the women. l forgot who the man was who danced l with her that night.
 As one woman said, Alice looked like a steam engine coming down a crimped track
 Society was shocked; unusually shocked Even the press was shocked Such behavior at a private ball Not alone Washington papers beat the air in protest but New York made this notorious young woman a hcadliner, and the episode was related in full as horrible example of modernism run riot.
 Now isn't that the cutest story you ever heard?" Alice said. laughing when she read the details of her conduct,' tucked, frilled and flounced and set forth for the public.
 Some of you will remember Count Cassini, who was Russian ambassador during the Roosevelt regime He ap- peared ill Washington lcconIpaIlied by