Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-10-24
SOCIETY
Premier of France Dimes Informally With
President and Mrs. Hoover at
White House.

THE President and Mrs. Hoover
were hosts, informally, at din
ner last evening at the White
House to their house guests,
the president of the Council OF
Ministers of France and his daughter,
Mile. Josette Laval. The only guests
besides the premier and his daughter
were the Secretary of State and Mrs.
Henry L. Stirnson. the Undersecretary
of the Treasury, Mr.. Ogden l.. Mills;
Mile Refine Claudel. daughter OF the
Ambassador of France, and M. Jacques
Blot of the prime minister's party.
Following the DINNER Mrs. Hoover took
Mile. Laval for motor drive around
NE Speedway, while the President and
Premier Laval went into conference.
The Vice President. Mr.. Charles
Curtis. has gone to Atlanta to attend
the Ecumenical Conference. to which
delegates from all over the world are
assembled.
Mr.. and Mrs. Edward Everett Gam
have with them for the day the lat
ter's niece, Mrs. Webster knight. I'd,
who will accompany them to the races
at Laurel today.
Diplomatic official and military ranks
gave atmosphere to the great threng of
personages that filled the suite CT ball
rooms at the Mayflower Hotel last night
when the Ambassador Of France and
Nine. Claudel held reception in honor
OF Marshal Petain. There were a few
from the ranks of unofficial society who
are on the visiting list of Nine. Cl2udel
and her daughters. but for the most the
cream was taken from official life to
do homage to the French hero
The drawing rooms were set with
palms. ferns and Autumn foliage back
OF the receiving line. and the other
rooms showed a decoration of Autumn
flowers and ferns. The great oblong
table was glory in its tall vases OF
dahlias in varied colors, blossoms as
large as a prize winning chrysanthe-
mum.
The Ambassador stood with Marshal
Petain in receiving, presenting his il
lustriouS countryman to friends, the
official introduction to him being made
more formally. Nine. Claudel, who stood
in line, wore a charming gown Of pearl
color chiffon entirely encrusted in
crystals, and her long earrings and
other ornaments were of pearl and
crystals. She was a striking and dig
nifled figure with her plentiful dark
brown hair combed away from her face
in French fashion and forming grace
full knot at the back of her head.
The chiefs of all the foreign en-
bassies and legations, with their military
and naval aides, were in uniform or
court dress, and the officers OF the
Navy and Army were in full dress. while
women We'd with one another in the
beauty and richness of their toilets.
The Vice President Mr.. Curtis, also
paid his respects and his brother-in-
law and sister, Mr.. and Mrs. Edward
Everett Gam. arrived from an earlier
party and were Immediately surrounded.
The Secretary of the Navy and Mrs.
Adams were early at the reception, Mrs.
Adams wearing graceful gown OF
green chiffon with crystals and the
Chief Justice and Mrs. Hughes were
likewise early arrivals, remaining for
only short time. Mrs Hughes wore
a handsome gown of Pompadour silk.
The Ambassador of Cuba and Sonora
de Ferrara, the Ambassador of Germany
and Frau Won PrittwitZ und GaHron,
the japanese Ambassador and Nine.
Debuchi and the Polish Ambassador and
Nine. FilipowicZ were all early arrivals
and remained until the reception was
half over Remarkable for its informal
ity. yet retaining an air OF statelineSs:
the reception must pass off as one OF
the most delightful features OF Marshal
Petains visit in the United States.
Mr.. and Mrs Ogden Reid of New
York. the son-in-law and daughter OF
the Vice President. Mr.. and Mrs Web
Ster knight; Mrs. Sydney Cloman and
her niece. Mrs Campbell Pritchett, who
earlier in the day had given a small
party for Mile. Laval; Mr.. and Mrs.
Keith Merrill, Miss Mabel Boardman.
who was with Mr.. and Mrs. Reid; Mrs.
Lucy Wilder Morris and the Misses
Randolph were among those enjoying
the hospitality of the Ambassador and
Nine Claudel.