Evening star., 1924-01-06
New York Society Seeking
Leader to Weed Out Ranks

NEW YORK, January 5.With the
cimpafgn to rid New York society Of
u certain undesirable element which
lcrept from the fringe toward the in
.ner circle during those days Of laxity
which followed the war, a movement
has been started by the ultra con-
servatiYe set to select leader whose
rulings will brook no dispute. In the
past decade there have been several
dowagers recognized as powers benin
the throne, but the throne itself has
been vacant. Now comes the cali for
q member from one of the first of
the old Knickerbock ar families, pref
erabiy matron approaching middle
age, to accord the accolade, which
carries the right of entree to the best
homes in town.
The wedding OUT, process which
confronts the person who accepts the
distinguished office of leader will
call for rare tact and Judgment as a
decision in the wrong direction might
lead to direful consequences. So many
golden threads are woven into the
social fabric here that a misplaced
snub, and the acts of retaliation t
would incur, easily could rend the
fortune of some Innocent gentleman
dreaming in the club cozy corner ut
terly unaware of the warfare which
was being waged. The same holds
true as regards to the selections of
those who are to be received into the
various sets.
AS yet here has been no decision as
to the candidates, although the names
of several noted women have been men
toned. 1t is the desire to agree upon
some one who will be able to rule with
the same undisputed sway as did Mrs.
Astor. This is a hard task in New
York, where there are so many at the
top Of the social ladder.
Mrs. Marshall Field Leads.
OF late Mrs. Marshall Field has been
unusually prominent in the smartest
faction of the city. Among the most
brilliant of the affairs at which she was
hostess was a dinner given Tor the
Countess of Granard. This event took
place at go Park avenue, as the Field
town house here will not be competed
until the beginning of next season. EN-
treme care marked the invitation list.
With the holly season a bright dream
Of the past. brilliant month of enter-
tainment has opened. Among the most
important functions has been the series
of dinners and receptions for Gen. the
Rt. Hon. Sir John and Lady Maxwell.
Their daughter Helena Philea Maxwell,
was married to Clifford Carer of New
York and Locust Valley, Long Island,
IN 1919. A party, marked by almost
regal Splendor, was given by the Car
vers at their home, 1155 Park avenue,
for the visiting nobieman and his wife.
Another affair in their honor was ten
dered by Prince and Princess Christian
of Hesse at the Plaza. The career of
Gen. the Rt. Hon. Sir John Maxwell has
been married by number of military
achievements. He received numerous
decorations and during the world war
hi Il a 4 a n dkad
the british forces in Egypt from 1908
to 1912.
T:c presentation of Miss Pratt by her
parents, Mr.. and Mrs. John T. Pratt, at
the Colony Club, was among the smart
est of the debutante affairs this season.
She is member of family closely as
sociated with the Standard Oil Com
pany and The wealth that she will In
herit almost equals the fortune which
will come Ito Miss Abby Rockefeller.
The lis of guests included only those
who bear names which are writ large in
society. Among Miss Pratt's near rela-
tives are Mr.. and Mrs. George d. Pratt.
Mr.. and Mrs. Herbert HI. Pratt, Mr.. and
Mrs. Frederick b. Pratt and Mr.. and
Mrs. Charles NJ. Pratt.
Mis- Smith Presented.
Another dehut which was attended
by unusual ceremony and many of the
Junior League was that of Miss
Marian Dominick. Smith, daughter of
Mr.. and Mrs, Alexander Smith Of
Princeton. The event was under the
guidance of Mrs. Bayard Dorniuick of
this city, grandmother Of the bud"
and was he'd at Pierre'S, that place
of "a shirn ever dear to, the debrtante.
There were about sixty of the younger
~ dance and sup
yer which followed there were four
times mat number. The Dominicks
p" the o. nal Knic'lerbOcke
families, the first of that name hav-
inS -...veu lniA4anhattan in 1888.
The announcement of the engage
ment of Miss Gwendoline Lamb of
Utica and New York to ]. Rich Steers
tr., of 81 East, 9th street has ar
reused much fntere st here and abroad.