Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-04-19
PEN WOMEN FETE
ENVOY AND DANCER
Minister DaviIa and Ruth st.
Denis Speak at Authors
Annual Breakfast.

The Minister of Rumania, Charles A.
Davila, and the world-famous exponent
of the art of terpsichore, Ruth st.
Denis, were two of group OF diStin-
guished personalities to speak at the
Annual Authors Breakfast of the Ma
tional League OF American Pen Women,
yesterday at the Willard Hotel.
The Rumanian Minister, who is the
son of one of the foremost playwrightS
of his country, spoke on subject upon
which he is well informed, The Ru-
manian Theater."
In Rumania the government sponsors
the showing Of classical plays In sew
eral of the country's theaters, and the
young people of that country are
obliged to attend as part OF their edu-
cation.
Prom so to 20 Shakespearean plays
are produced In my country every year"
he said. The dramatic classics Of other
nations are also produced in Rumanian
theaters as part Of the education OF the
people, he added.
Neglect Of Legitimate Stage.
Mr.. Davila deplored the fact how
ever, that despite the sponsoring Of
classics by the government, there Is .
decided tendency in his country, as In
America, to neglect the legitimate thea
ter and classical productions, for mo-
ton pictures.
Alfred in a graceful gown with ultra
smart lines, wearing a becoming black
hat with dropping brim, Miss Ruth St
Denis, in a brief talk proved herself
quite as accomplished an orator as q
dancer
Although Miss st. Denis had selected
as her topic, THE Dance and Religion"
she devoted several minutes to an en-
phatic denunciation of modern fashions
for women.
lone of the responsibilities Of the
classic dance" she said, "is to see we
are dressed more beautifully. We can't
long put up with the atrocities we are
forced to wear. think" she continued,
"that all colleges should have chair
of dress and manners"
Miss st. Denis then launched into
the real subject of her talk, the dance
as an inspiration toward spirituality.
NO art can be really great" she de-
clared, which cuts itself of from its
original source-its religious conscious
ness. feel that we should help build
the dance-help direct the dance-with
the infinite source Of life itself. We
should help lead it back into the path
of spirituality
Exhibit International.
Mrs. Ruth Gouverneur Hoes, an
founced that the Washingtonian ex-
hibit, which viii be shown at the Ma
tional Museum during the Bicentennial
celebration, has become international
in its source Of contributors. Not only
have many Americans, including nu-
merous prominent Washingtonians offer
ed valuable contributions from private
collections, such as portraits, jewels and
silverware, but offers have been made
by representatives of Poland. Germany,
Italy and Sweden to lend objects Of In
terest, pertinent to the life and times
Of Washington, said Mrs. Hoes.
Others contributing to the program
yesterday were Miss Laurie Merrill,
rising young poetesS from New York.
who read some Of her poems; Frederic
Arnold Hummer, well known play
wright; Mrs. Ira Nelson Morris, wife
Of the former Minister to Sweden, Ed
ward Bateman Morris, novelist: Fred
c. Kelly. Phyllis Fergus, composer, and
Halle Ermine Rives, one Of Americas
popular noveIiSts. who In private life Is
Mrs. Post Wheeler.
Guests numbered many well known
personalities, both In and out Of WASH
ington, and included among others,
Mrs. Arthur N. Hyde, wife Of the Sec
rotary Of Agriculture; Mrs. Walter r.
Tuckerman and Mrs. Henry Avah
Strong.