The Washington times., 1926-01-06
QTY'S GRAND
DUCHESSES'
RULE
Mrs. Field, Mrs. Town
send, Mrs. Dinock ct al
Weld Much Power
BY JEAN ELIOT

T was at the diplomatic reception
II at the White House that some.
one nudged me and murmured "the
Erandduehesses OF Washington, as
we spied Mrs. Richard Townsend,
Mrs. Marshall Field. Mrs. Hope
Slater and Mrs. John b. Henderson
sitting side by side on one of the
long benches in the corridor,
surveying the passing throng.
An apt designation, in truth.
But one other grande dame must
bes included in this eminent1y in
flumtial group Of dowagers-Mrs.
White House guest that night. but
who had not CHANGED to foregather
with the others at the moment.
Because OF frail health Mrs.
Townsend has not taken very
active part in society OF late, Mrs.
Slater has been away a good deal
and so has Mrs. Field. But Mrs.
Henderson and Mrs. Dimock are
figuring largely lin the news" this
winter.
A Sporting Duchess
In connection with Mrs. Hen.
derson's crusade to lower the hem
line of society's collective skirts and
to cut off the supply OF tobacco
for the ladies, / can't but think of
the woeful picture of seven maids
with seven mops" sweeping for half
a year-and getting nowhere. But
Il Is rather sporting proposition
for this lively old lady to start any
sort OF q campaign at eighty-odd.
Moreover, Mrs. Henderson maintains
her commanding position as one of
the leaders in the development OF
the Capital, defends her title as
'.the best business man in Wash
ington,n sleeps out Of doors, walks
a mile or two pretty nearly every
day and entertains continuously.
Her parties are always original.
It will be remembered that she
gave a mans dinner. for the
members of the French Debt Fund
ing Commission, with NJ. Caillaux at
their head, at which she and her
granddaughter were the only ladies
sitting in. And she has already had
two big parties this winter at the
Vice Presidents House across
the way from Boundary Castle.
Famous Hostess
AS FOR Mrs. Dinaock. she gives
famous dinners and it really Is q
distinction to be invited to her
house. She is particularly active
as hostess this season. She start
ed off early with a dinner and q
luncheon for Mr.. and Mrs. Edward
+. Stotesbury, OF Philadelphia. who
had come to Washington for the
occasion, asking company OF net
able guests to meet sthem on each
occasion; and during January she
Is giving an important series OF
dinners,
The first was for the Ambassador
az Japan and Nine. Matsudaira.
Last evening Mrs. Dimock enter.
tanned for the Speaker and Mrs.
Longworth and within the month
she win be hostess to the Secretary
Of State and Mrs. Kellogg and the
Vice President and Mrs. Dawes
thus securing as guests on success
sive occasions the three Of the high
est ranking officials Of domestic
vintage.
Washington Memorial Again
Mrs. Dimock was hostess at the
first recital of the Washington
Chamber Music Association-very
smart, very exclusive. very high
brow and of true artistic import
ance. Moreover, even now she is
lining up her friends to aid in the
proposed ball for the benefit of the
George washington Memorial-her
pet project-to be held in Feb
ruary. The cornerstone of this great
memorial building, on a site donated
by the Government, was laid with
considerable ceremony two years or
more ago and a number OF patriotic
organizations are behind the move
ment TO erect a huge auditorium
with rooms over it which they may
use AZ headquarters.
With Mrs. Dimock this winter
are her son.in-law and daughter, the
second Counselor of the Italian
Embassy and Nine. Catalani. And,
since they have as a guest, their
niece. Mile Dora Catalan, 1t is
highly probable that there may be
some young peoples parties at
Mrs. Dimock's big house in Scott
Circle before the winter Is over.
RIANOS TO BE GERMAN
EMBASSY GUESTS
The German Ambassador and
baroness Nathan will entertain a
distinguished company at dinner
this evening in honor Of the Spanish
Ambassador and Nine. Riano.
y
The Italian ambassador, Giacomo
di MARITIME, and Donna Antolnettc
di MARITIME are cancelling all social
engagements because OF the death
Of Queen Mergherita, mother Of the
King Of Italy and the embassy will
observe court mourning.
Mrs. Theodore Roosevelt, who
has been visiting the Speaker of
the House and Mrs. Nicholas Long
worth for a few days, returned to
New York yesterday afternoon.
-
The Secretary OF War and Mrs.
Davis are among those who have
taken boxes for the exhibition ride
to be given at Fort Myer on Satur.
day afternoon at 3 o'clock for the
benefit of the Army Relief Fund.
Miss Francesca Mckinney is chair
man of the committee of debu-
tantes who viii sell programs and
who viii also assist at the tea
after the drill.