The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1929-04-09
SOCIAL Rating
Of MRS. GANN
STIRS HEFLIN
Proposes to Take Fight
Over Curtis Sister to
Congress.
ENJOYS TAKE ACTION
Clearing Up of Tangle on
Vice e-PreSident's Hostess
Demanded.
ENJOYS TAKE ACTION
BY PAUL r. MALLON

WASHINGTON, April g. - The
controversy over the social status of
Mrs. Edward Everett Gam, half
sister Of President Charles Cur
tiS was thrust forward as national
issue today when Senator T. J..
Hef1in of Alabama, a Democrat, an
nounCed seriously his intention Of
proposing a law at the coming Ses-
sion of congress establishing Mrs.
Gam as the second lady of the
land"
Heflin's move was assured of seri-
Gus and expeditions attention when
he called on Chairman William
Borah of the senate foreign relations
committee and received Borah's
promise that the resolution would
not be permitted to languiSh long in
committee.
Stfmson May Rule
Borah, like Heflin and Senator
George w. Norris of Nebraska, who
recently asked the state department
to send the matter to the World
court, has long been displeased with
the activities of the so-called social
lobby and they are rallying senti-
ment for a strong fight on the side
of the Vice-President.
While these formidable forces
we're massing at the capitol there
developed a possibility that Henry
L. Stinson, secretary of state, might
settle the dispute before the SEN
ators could swing into action. Mrs.
Gam is invited to a dinner at the
Chilean embassy Thursday night.
The embassy will follow in its
seating arrangements whatever may
be the official rule of the state de-
partment.
The ruling of Frank B. Kellogg,
former secretary of state, still
stands, placing Mrs. Gam behind
the wives Of heads Of foreign mis-
Sions here.
If Secretary Stinson should
change the Kellogg ruling before
Thursday night, Mrs. Gam might
be elevated to the dinner chair of a
hostess of the President to
which Curtis contends she is en-
titled.
Sir Esme Howard, British ambas-
sador and dean of the diplomatic
corps, was expected to call at the
state department late today and
request clarifcation OF the social
status of Mrs. Gam. He will be
accompanied by Viscount DAlte,
Portuguese minister, dean Of minis
ters.
A meeting of the members Of the
diplomatic corps was held Monday
night at the British embassy and
Mrs. Cams social rank and prob
lens precipitated by the Vice-Presi-
dents protest discussed lengthily.
I'm for Charley"
The formal request for clarif1ca-
ton will take the form of a note,
drafted and approved at the meet
ing last night. The note, it was
said, affirmed the desire of the
diplomats to abide by the state de-
partment'S decision, but points out
ClldU IO11AloAOll 4lclIS al lCNll CIl4GC U4lC
earlier ruling made during Secre-
tary of State Kellogg's adninistra-
ton.
i want TO settle this thing in the
American way" Heflin said. 81 do
not want to leave this issue to q
bunch of diplomats chattering like
blackbirds, nor will I leave it to a
ruling of Nervous Nellie who sat
down at the state department with
his sunbonnet on, twiddling his
apron strings.
Its serious issue, boys, and if
it amt settled soon the country is
gone. I'm for Charley"
He predicted his resolution would
be adopted in the senate in thirty
minutes.