The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1925-11-14

=. Such books as Miss Anne Squire's
''Social Washington" and Social
Usage in America" by Miss Mar
garet Wade, have done their bit
toward standardizing the forms ct
social intercourse in what one writ
er likes to call "our village Capital"
But the latter deals with general
tiles of good form in society with
out reference to the particular prob
lens OF Washington. And while
: Miss Squire's interesting volume
contains most of the information
: which Mrs. Hagner has included in
her pamphlet, it is written into
chapters on the origin and develop
snent of customs and precedenss
and is not so handy reference
work. Social Precedence in Wash
ingfon'' is, indeed, the last word
I'm compression and convenience.
Played by Ear"
When Washington was smaller
:, city the social game was played
pretty much ''by ear" Since we
have grown up and increased in
Importance as an international CEN
ter, it has become necessary to
work out a code of social inter-
course, but it has always been diff
ficuIt to obtain authoritative In
formation on disputed points. The
State Department has hesttated 10
commit itself and there has been
no other court OF appeal.
Mrs. Hagner does not set herself
nm as an arbiter, but the tables OF
precedence she presents and the
suggestions on calling, methods OF
address and sending, accepting and
declining invitations that are con-
tanned in her little volume express
the forms that are followed general
~ in official society.
Knows Her Washington
The author of this compendium
brings to her task q knowledge of
Washington gained from active
participation in society in her girl
hood and young married life, sup
plemented by experience as social
secretary for many prominent
persons and by a year or more
Of work as head Of a social bu-
reau, established at the Willard.
which has come to be recognized
az q sort of clearing house for so
ciety. Moreover she has had the
unofficial advice Of State Depart
ment officials and others who
formulate the regulations govern
ing official intercourse.
So much for the book in general,
In particular, it brings out many
points that are Of interest and some
that are, perhaps, not generally
understood.
The fact that the President first
and then the Vice President have
precedence over everyone else is, or
course, obvious. And it Is pretty
generally understood that foreign
ambassadors, justice of the Supreme
Court, foreign ministers, the Speaker
Of the House, the Cabinet and the
Senate follow along in the order
named. But attention is called to
the fact that the question Of prece-
dence between the Chief Justice OF
the Supreme Court and foreign
ambassador is in dispute and that
for this reason 1t is the better part
Of valor not to invite two such dig
nitaries to the same party.
Cabinet VS.. Senate
Parenthetically the matter of
precedence between the Cabinet and
the Senate has long been the sub
ject of discussion and q sort
out whereby the Cabinet gives way
to the Senate In the matter OF
calling-the wives of Cabinet off,
GERS leaving cards first upon the
Senators ladies-but takes the pas
on all other occasions.
But the greatest value Of this
table comes a little farther down the
line. for it IL exceedingly valuable
for a hostess. who must seat din
ne- table properly, to know that the
Chief Of Staff OF the Army and the
Chief Of Operations of the Navy
come in between the Senate and the
House, just where to place foreign
charge d'affaires. major generals
and admirals ard such officials as
the Solicitor General, the members
of the Federal Reserve Board. the
Interstate Commerce Commission
etc.
Valuable to Newcomers
And the newcomer to Washington
cannot know by instinct the fact
that foreign ENJOYS are ranked by
the length of their service in WASH.
:ngton, the order of precedence with.
in the Cabinet and that Senators
and Congressman are grouped in
order of their length or service. or,
II two or three have been here
equally long. precedence is given to
the SenatOr-or the Congressman-