The Washington times., 1929-01-15
Charity Inaugural Ball TO Be Gala
EUent;; " Washington Auditorium the Scene
Mrs. John Allan Dough-
erty, Chairman, Has
Sponsored Two Sue
cessful Fetes

DpO1lSO1Cu
cessful Fetes
Now we know why the
great Washington Audito-
rum was built "on the
level" instead Of with its
seats rising in tiers, theater
fashion. It was so that
seats could be taken out and
the gigantic floor space used
for dancing at the Inaugu-
raj Charity Ball.
Years ago when the Audi
torium was built, the posi-
bility that it might be used
for dancing was given as
reason for its curious con-
struction. And at last the
powers that be are justl-
fied-although this probably
won't be much comfort to
those who have craned their
necks for a sight of the
stage through hundreds OF
operate and theatrical per-
formances.
Spectacular
However, there's no place IN
Washington where a ball OF
such proportions could be given
in so comfortable and yet spec
facular a fashion. It's not an
official inaugural ball, and
President-elect Hoover has made
It perfectly clear that he and
Mrs. Hoover will NOT attend.
But the fete is sponsored by
the inaugural committee, and
its chairman, Col. U. S. Grant
Sd, has appointed a small group
70 cooperate with the ball COM
mittee in putting it over.
Bright Idea
The last official Inaugural Ball
was held at the beginning OF the
Taft Administration. On both
occasions when President wilson
was inaugurated, the hordes or
visitors in town found themselves
In th9 evening "al dressed up
with no place to CO." So when
President Harding came in Mrs.
John Allan Dougherty conceived
the idea Of putting on a huge
charity ball and gathered in as
many Of the new Administration
and OF the old as could be per.
suaded to attend. Result, $28,0OO
to be turned into the Golfers of
Washington most appealing chill.
flren's charities. So successful
was this experiment that it was
repeated four years later-when
the proceeds reached $42 900.
Mrs. Dougherty is again chair
man of the committee thi year
and promises to make the ball
'.bigger and better than ever
and more brilliant. With the
makeup of Hoover's Cabinet
shrouded in mystery. no COM
mercial attempt to gather in the
incoming Administration officials
can vet be made. But It is safe
to assume that the genial Vice
President. elect, with his sister
and hostess, Mrs. Edward Cam,
will attend, and presumably some
of the outgoing Administration
group. And invitations will be
extended the governors who will
come to town for the inaugura-
ton ceremonies and to many
other distinguished visitors.
First Charity Ball
The first inaugural charity ball
was held at the Willard with the
retiring Vice President, the late
Thomas r. Marshall, and Mrs.
Marshall in the receiving line.
This was especially appropriate
since Mrs. Marshall was then vice
president OF the Child Welfare
Society. one of the several groups
which were to benefit from the
ball. 1t was on this occasion
that President and Mrs. Coolidge,
then Vice President, and Mrs.
N Coolidge, made their first ap-
pearance at fete in Washing
ton.
They were then occupying an
apartment at the Willard and
slipped up the back way, making
their entrance all unheralded,
while committees of welcome were
l1oyering about the other elevator
to give them greeting. And 1t was
in asking directions as to where
they might find the receiving line
that Mrs. Coolidge first flashed
her winning smile on a little
group Of newspaper women stand
ing by the doorway
The last inaugural charity bali
was held at the Mayflower. with
the new Vice President and Mrs.
Dawes as the ranking guests and
. score of visiting governors TO
add color to the proceedings.
With the exception OF $4,000
apiece to the funds for the widows
and orphans of policemen and fire.
men, the proceeds from the great
ball on March 4 will go, this
time, to the Community Chest.
However, the children's charities.
which have become so associated
with the fete, will not be over
looked, for they all share In the
Community Chest budget.
y k&
For Diplomats
The Spanish Ambassador and
Nine. Padilla will be the honor
guests at dinner this evening Of
Senator and Mrs. Henry Wilder
Keyes, who will entertain in their
home in Sixteenth Street.
y II
The German Asbassador and
Nine. Won Prittwitz will be the
honor guests at dinner this eve
ming of Representative and Mrs.