Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-04-10
MRS. GAM VICTOR
IN STATUS DISPUTE
Diplomats Calamity Award
Her Customary Position
of Precedence.
CONTINUED From First Page.)

precedence among foreign representa-
tives themselves, as 1t is the custodian
of the records establishing the dates on
which they were accredited to this Gov
eminent and, therefore, of their re-
spective seniority, 1t has no authority
to determine questions of precedence
among American officials, nor Of gen.
eral social precedence in Washington;
and it is my belief that 1t should no
longer assist in such questions.
IT am, therefore. instructing the de-
partment to give no further advice or
suggestions in such matters
Mr. Stimson added that he had no
doubt that this matter will work out
with the fullest courtesy to you and your
official hostess"
Prompt Decision Asked.
Secretary Stimson acted yesterday
Immediately following the visit from the
British Ambassador, who pointed out
that while the controversy originated
outside the corps. it was essential that
the diplomats know definitely Mrs.
Cams status.
An early decision was deemed nee
esSary in view of the fact that the Vice
President and Mrs. Gam are to be
guests Of the Chilean Ambassador at
dinner in the Pan-American Building
tomorrow evening An awkward situa-
ton was presented to the corps and 1t
wished assistance.
Secretary Stimson lost no time in
preparing his opinion and In forward
ing 1t to the corps and to Mr.. Curtis.
The Stimson decisin which will take
away from Washington hoStesses the
helpful offices of the protocol division
to the State Department is likely to be
q severe blow to them. For most, II not
all Washington hostesSes have depend
ed n this departmental erbiter to rescue
them from many social dilemmas grow
ing out Of conflicting or doubtful ques-
tons of precedence, and out of its
responses q semi-off1cial order has
grown up which has been more or less
closely observed. Through its diplo-
matte suggestions many social catas-
trophe has been averted, several grateful
hostesses agree.
Object Of Division.
The division was originally created to
be of assistance to the White House
staff in arranging social functions. but
its n1inistrations were soon sought by
lesser officials.
There has never been anything Of
flcial about any of its rulings, however,
James Dunn, the chief. and other Gov
eminent offlcials declare. Nevertheless,
the diplomatic corps is the only Wash
tngton social group that recognizes its
rulings as Anal; they have been general
~ accepted.
The letter Of Secretary stimson to
the British Ambassador follows:
II have received from you this after
noon the memorandum of the heads of
diplomatic missions in respect to the
question of precedence covered by the
letter Of my predecessor, Mr.. Kellogg,
written March AZ. which was referred
to me recently by the Vice President
with the request that should review it.
Says Kellogg Letter Correct.
"As have written to the Vice Presi-
dent, I believe that while Mr., Kellogg,s
letter correctly states the custom which
has prevailed during recent years,
neither Mr.. Kellogg nor any other Sec
rotary of State has intended to make
any oficial ruling as to the precedence
in which American officials and their
wives should be received within the
homes Of the members of the diplomatic
corps, but that such decision rests
wholly within the discussion Of the
members Of that corps themselves.
81 should be glad, therefore, II you
would kindly convey to your colleagues
in reply to their memorandum that any
course which they take in reference to
such matters will meet with no objec-
ton on the part of the State Depart
r11ent, and that any courtesy which they
may choose to show the Vice President
and Mrs. Gam will be most agreeable
to me-"
Letter to Curtis.
Secretary Stimson's letter to the Vice
President follows:
E"You have asked me to examine and
review letter written to you by my
predecessor, Mr.. Kellogg, on March 90.
in response to your letter of March 10
stating that you had designated your
sister, Mrs. Edward Everett Gam, as
your oflcial hostess and expressing your
desire that she be accorded recognition
as such.
II think that Mr.. Kellogg's letter
correctly stated the custom which has
prevailed during recent years, but my
thought rather runs in another direc-
ton In the whole matter. While the
State Department has the responsible
ty of determining precedence among
foreign representatives themselves, as
1t Is the custodian of the records es-
were accredited to this Government,
and, therefore, Of their respective SEMI
critics, 1t has no authority to determine
questions Of precedence among Aneri-
can officials nor of general social prece-
dence in Washington: and 1t is nay be-
lief that 1t should no longer assist In
such questions. s
partment to give no further advice or
II am, therefore. instructing the de-
suggestions in such matters.
ri realizs from what you now tell
me that in your original letter Of March
10 you did not intend to ask for any
official ruling. but merely to record your
designation of Mrs. Gam as your host
ess, and we both agree that for the de-
partment to enter into such questions
at all is inconsistent with the in1por-
tant governmental duties which it has
to perform and that 1t Is much better
for social questions to be settled by the
social community itself.
II have received pleasant call from
the dean of the diplomatic corps, who
has explained to me the personal atti-
tude Of himself and his colleagues on
this question, and have no doubt that
In this way and by such unoficial ac-
ton this matter will work out with the
fullest courtesy to you and your on
cial hostess"
Sir Esme's Message.
The memorandum OF the diplomatic
corps to the Secretary, which was de-
livered by Sir Esne at the request Of
the corps, follows:
1.-THE heads of diplomatic missions
residing in washington have noted
with much regret that question Of
precedence, which was never raised by
any Of them and with regard to which
no diplomat has made representations
to any United States authority what
ever, should appear, owing to chain
of circumstances over which they have
no control, to have given dissatisfaction.
hone to have the honor Of entertaining
the vice President and his sister, Mrs.
Gam, In the near future. Being most
anxious to avoid any possible dis
courtesy to the Vice President Of the
United States, and In order that the
precedence accorded to Mrs. Cam on