The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1930-08-07
SOCIAL LEADERS
.EMBROILED BY
WOMAN EDITOR
Mrs. Longworth Can't Help
Ruth Mccormick, Says
Eleanor Patterson.

BIZ Scripps-H ot0drd Newspaper Alliance
WASHINGTON, Aug. z. - The
daughters of three famous political
households-Alice Longworth, Ruth
Medill Mccormick and Eleanor Pat
tsrson-were today embroilet1 in a
political controversy which may
have more serious consequences
than the historic Gann-Longworth
dispute over which lady should sit
at the head of the table at official
functions.
1t started when Mrs. Patterson,
the former Countess Gizycha and
cousin of Mrs. McCornlick's late
husband, Senator MedilI i,scCormick,
announced over her signature in a
front page box of William Randolph
Hearst's Washington Herald, which
she now edits, that Mrs. Longworth
most decidedly would not act as
Mrs. Mccormick political adviser
in the latter's senatorial campaign
in Illinois.
After discounting newspaper re-
ports that the speakers wife would
take the stump for her cousin, Mrs.
Patterson added the sting that left
the capital gasping and chuckling
and wondering.
Doesn't Make Speeches
Mrs. Longworth," she wrote,
docs not make speeches. Mrs. Long
worth does not give interviews. Mrs.
Longworth can not talk in public.
Her assistance therefore, will, re-
solve itself, as usual, into posing for
photographs"
Though a bitter social and
political battle between alice" and
Elsie" is predicted when the heat
permits dowagers and diplomats to
return from mountains and sea-
shore, Mrs. PatterSon'S sally
already has led to disavowals of re-
ports that Mrs. Longworth would
aid Mrs. Mccormick in the coming
campaign.
Brutality but effectively the lady
editor has pointed out that, in view
of the speakers wife's aversion to
public life or activity, there is no
known way in which she can render
aid.
Not Intending Entry
In declining to be interviewed,
Mrs. LongWorth corroborated part of
Mrs. Patterson's editorial indict-
ment, but she also is understood to
have admitted she did not contem-
plate an active entry into politics.
Meanwhile, the capital wondered
if the editors retort had not been
provoked by some witticiSm spon-
sored by Mrs. Longworth when she
learned that the former countess
was to become a day laborer in the
journalistic vineyard. AS a spark
ling conversationalist in her salon
on Massachusetts, avenue, Mrs.
Longworth is noted for the bon mots
with which she strikes off prominent
personalities for the amusement of
her guests.
Mrs. Patterson insists she did not
dream" her Characterization of her
friend as Photographic poseur
would cause so much excitement.
tits the truth" she explained
land 1 believe in publishing the
truth"
Asked to explain why she had
written SO critically of an old friend,
the lady editor replied:
ut was just news item to me,
and I didn't dream it would cause
so much discussion. I don't want
to keep talking about it because
there is nothing more to say"
She denied that her levelling of
the journalistic lance at the speak
er'S wife meant she would cham
pion Dolly &ann's social claims
when the supremacy dispute is re-
sumed next fall.
Il have never met the lady," she
said, referring to the Vice-Pres-
ldent's sister.