Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1926-02-28
Diminishing Functions
In Aid of G. w. u. Hospital

While Lenten observance is getting
fact in the rush of entertaining neces-
sary to keep up ones end in city like
Washington, there are still those who
don't feel just tight about giving par
ties during the prescribed 40 days.
For them and for any one else who
is interested. it is suggested that even
in Lent benefits are permitted-enter-
tanning to help along a worthy cause
and To them is recommended the
diminishing luncheons, which are be-
ing given with considerable success
for the benefit of the hospital fund of
George Washington University.
Mrs. William Mather Lewis. wife of
the president of the university,
brought the idea home with her from
a vacation trip to the West Coast, and
suggested it to the ladies of the hos
pital board. 1t Is sort Of reverse
English" on the endless chain idea
for the chain in this case has a very
definite end. This is the way it works
out: One hostess gives a luncheon for
8 or 10, or any number she likes. She
invites each guest to contribute 81 to
the hospital fund, and, in her turn, to
given a luncheon for seven, each one
to contribute a dollar, and. in her turn,
entertain six-and so on. 1t is not
very long before the chain is run out,
and meanwhile the hospital, which
needs help, has proflted just so much,
and there have been a number of
pleasant parties which, since they are
for worthy cause, are entirely ap-
propriate for Lenten diversions.
Among well known Washington
women who already have entertained
at these diminishing luncheons for
George Washington University Hospi-
tai are Mrs. Harlan Fiske Stone. Mrs.
Charles w. Richardson, Mrs. William
Cline Borden, Mrs. Lincoln Green
Nine Panaretoff, Mrs. Frederick True,
Mrs. Eugene Byrns, Mrs. D. K. Shute,
Mrs. Arthur Butman, Mrs. Roy Neu-
hauser, Mrs. Wilbur Turner, Mrs.
Arthur Dunn, Mrs. George Jamerson
Mrs. J. Walter Drake, Mrs. Elliott
Goodwin, Mrs. Frederick Harrington,
Mrs. David Allen Robertson, Mrs. Wal
ter Peter. Mrs. Edward A. Hartman,
Mrs. George Putnam, Miss Burton,
Mrs. Clarence Aspinwall and Mrs.
Sanders.
1t is a scheme that can be variously
applied. For instance, there is Mrs.
Juan N. Tillema, formerly Miss Cath
crime Hill, David Jayne Hills daugh-
Ter, VINO Is So eHIHuSeu lIdL she
started out to arrange a chain of
diminishing bridge parties. She is am
bilious, and proposes a great big
bridge of hundred. Presumably that
means % tables, and the diminishing
is by tables rather than by persons.
SO the chain is not appalling long, as
at first sight it appears. The lunch
cons really run themselves out very
quickly. And, as Nine. Panaretoff ex-
pressed 1t. 'by the time one gets d
little way down the line one doesn't
have to worry, for it is quite easy for
any guest who doesn't want to bother
with the. luncheon to figure out how
much her party should produce and
send her own check for the amount"
Mrs. Frederick Green is, chairman of
the ladies' board, and assisting is Mrs.
Charles w. Richardson, who is an &C
tive member. Mrs. John Paul Earnest
is in general charge of the diminish
ing luncheon campaign.
-s--
A tray for standing baby carriages
in when they are brought into the
house dripping with rain has been
patented by a woman in England.