Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-04-09
TO ASK
GANN CASE ruling
Stimson'S Decision on Rank
to Be Sought to Avoid
Embarrassment.

BY the Associated Press
The State Department YVES faced to-
day with having to make immediate de-
cision on the social status Of Mrs. Ed
ward Everett Gam. sister of Vice Pres
ident Curtis. Sir Esme Howard, the
British Ambassador and dean of the
diplomatic corps, was scheduled to con-
fer with Secretary Of State Stimson
this afternoon.
State Department officials were re-
ticent on the subject to be taken UP,
but 1t was intimated in American cir
cles that the question OF the ruling of
former Secretary of State Kellogg, Civ
ing social rank to Mrs. Gam inferior
to that OF Vice Presidents wife, would
be discussed.
Sir Esnne's conference with the State
Department Is In line with the action
OF the diplomatic corps at q meeting
at the British embassy last night, in
agreeing that the dean of the corps
should inquire about Mrs. Cams
status, In view of the protest against the
Kellogg ruling by Vice President Curtis.
The diplomats discussed the intricate
problem for two hours last night at a
meeting called by Sir Esne They agreed
that, In view of the protest by Vice
President Curtis against the ruling
placing Mrs. Cams social rank below
that OF the wives of diplomats-and,
incidentally, the wives Of cabinet mem
berS and Senators-Sfr ESme should
take up the matter with the new Secre-
tary.
Number Of Functions Is Cause.
Because of the large number Of So
cial functions planned before the vaca-
ton season begins 1t was thought that
definite ruling was more desirable
than efforts to avoid embarrassment by
arranging guest lists so that they would
not include both diplomats and the Vice
President.
Such course, it was felt, might have
little or no effect, except to add one
more complication to the already ex-
tremely> complex problem of social rank
in Washington, especially in view of
the claims of the Chief Justice and
Speaker of the House of Representatives
to social rank equal to that Of diplo-
mats.
The diplomats have made It clear
that they are not questioning the Vice
Presidents social status. They feel
bound to follow rulings Of the State
Department in such matters, and, as
representatives of foreign nations, are
not In a position to relinquish volun-
tarily their own rank in the scale of
social precedence, so they are anxious
to have the question Of Mrs. Cams
status definitely settled.
Curtis Is Silent.
Vice President Curtis, meanwhile, Is
maintaining silence, so far as public
statements are concerned, but Is under
stood to have assured the diplomats
that it was not his wish to cause them
any embarrassment by his protest
against the Kellogg ruling. His friends
are convinced, however that unless the
ruling Is reversed, or some satisfactory
understanding reached, he intends to
refuse all social engagements which
would bring the Kellogg ruling affect
ing his sisters status into force.
Possibility that the question will
reach the floor OF the Senate is held
out by the announcement of Senator
Hefin. Democrat, Alabama. that, un-
less Secretary StimSon acts on Mr..
Curtis protest this week, he will in
tfoduce a resolution looking to con-
gressional action to assure Mrs. Gam
social rank equal to that of the Vice
President.
II am not going to have this issue
banded about by bunch of diplomats
chattering like so many blackbirds !"
he said. 1T Is un-American to chuck
the hostess of the Vice President down
at one corner behind some. foreign
diplomats and not have her share
equally with the Vice President the
recognition given him."
While this threat of congressional
Intervention was heard, there were ru-
niors going the rounds that an under
standing was in prospect. One mention
In that connection was the dinner to be
given Thursday night by Ambassador
Davila Of Chile, to which the Vice
President and Mrs Cam have been
invited. Some reports had It that the
seating at this function would Illus
trate Just how the matter Is to be
settled, but whether this would be .
vindication of Mr.. Curtis or otherwise
could not be ascertained.