The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1930-10-27
Dull Social
Season Due
in Capital

IN the following articles. Cornelius
Vanderbilt. Jr.. reports President Hoover
desires a quiet social season in Wash
fnRton this winter on account Of unem-
Dloyment. II Is the irst Of a series Of
Eve articles written for the United Press.
BY CORNELIUS VANDERBILT, Jr.
Copyright. 1880. By United Press
WASHINGTON, oct. 27.-A social
season less brilliant than usual is
in prospect this winter Gas a result
of limitations that President Hoo
yer believes society affairs should
not be emphasized during period
Of unemployment.
Rumors have been current fer
some time that the White House
felt elaborate diplomatic and private
functions would be in poor taste
while Colonel Arthur Woods is en-
gagged in his campaign to relieve
unemployment, and while industry
in general Is striving to overcome
the depression.
III view Of the possibility of wide
spread hardship and suffering
throughout the country and of Com
munist demonstrations, few social
leaders are inclined TO question the
Presidents views.
Six weeks ago it was believed that
the health /of President Hoover's
son might be given as the reason
for putting the quietus on the smart
sets activities.
But with a cold winter coming
on and depressed conditions obtain
ing throughout the world, the Presi-
dent realized fully enough that he
had to call upon every agency, both
governmental and personal, to CO.
operate with him in lessening the
national burden.
It would be babe taste, the Presi-
dent and Mrs Hoover have been
represented as feeling. for the White
House to sanction all of the color
full functions at which they normal
ly would be host and hostess.
Social Lobby Is Bitter
Too if the White House limited
its own social calendar the foreign
embassies could be expected to fol-
low suit.
On the other hand, it probably
was feared that to come out di-
rectly in statement requesting
reduction in social activities would
be to unsettle business further. Thus
feelers were said to have been put
out and the reaction almost unani-
mously was favorable.
1t would not be true, however, to
say that there were no bitter
rumblings in the social lobby. There
have been hoStesses voicing opposi-
ton to the White House policy.
Meanwhile, before the opening of
the season" countless large houses
on Massachusetts, and New Hamp-
shire avenues are closed and other
mansions on fashionable Sixteenth
street and Connecticut avenue still
have the supper shutters up.
And, other reasons aside, the con-
tinued illness Of Lady Lindsay, wife
of the British ambassador, makes it
probable that the new British en-
bassy will not be the scene of mag
niflcent receptions that had been
expected upon the buildings COM
pletion.
Like Early War Period
After-dark Washington in these
days, hence, is reminiscent of the
capital during the early-war pc
priod, although there are plenty of
small private affairs at home. some
dinner dances at the hotels and res
taurants and a sprinkling of activi-
ties of a minor nature at some of
the clubs.
1t is interesting to note that of
the small private dinners given at
the White House recently for mem
bers of the Presidents commissions
scarcely any of the guests have
worn evening clothes. Business suits
for the men and long afternoon
gowns. without hats, for the wom-
en-, have been worn.