Evening star., 1932-02-09

"HE 0fncial social season closed
last evening with a large and
brilliant reception given by the
i President and Mrs. Hoover in
honor at the Army, Navy and
Marine Corps officers stationed in and
near the District and their families.
More than 2,40O guests were received
the gold braid of the uniforms, both
Of this country and those of the mill
tary and naval attaches of foreign en-
bassies and legations, with the gay
colors Of the handsome gowns, making
q scene of much brilliance.
The absence from the reception OF
the retiring Secretary of the Treasury,
MI. Mellon, who soon will leave for his
new post as Ambassador to London,
was q matter of deep regret to all, for
he has endeared himself to those who
know him only by sight quite as much
as those who know him personally.
Other absentees in the official family
we're Vice President Curtis and Mrs
Gam, Postmaster General and Mrs.
Brown Secretary of Agriculture and
Mrs. Hyde and Secretary Lamont.
Mrs. Hoover again chose a gown OF
home weave, this time heavy black
velvet, woven in New Jersey and made
into q graceful and becoming gown in
Washington. The soft folds Of the
velvet fell gracefully to the floor and
In the back had pointed train. fold
inG q little to one side. The bodice
vas fitted to her figure, the V-shaped
neckline wide to the shoulders, her
drapery which fell over the arms to
the elbows and she wore long white
gloves, and a dainty chain set with
diamonds. She stood beside the Presi-
dent, shaking each of the more than
2,400 hands and had smile for each
and every one with some word OF greet
ing, her share in making the impress
sion Of gracious host and hostess.
secretary of war and Mrs. Hurley
and Secretary of the Navy and Mrs.
Adams shook hand with the hosts
IN the blue room Immediately after
they took their places and went
through the green room into the
east room where they stood to greet
those next in line. The members of
the Senate and House Committees on
Military and Naval Affairs followed the
heads OF those two departments and
after them came the assistant secre-
tsries and the chief of staff, U. S. A.
the chief Of naval operations and the
major general commandant of the Ma
fine Corps.
Gen. Pershing's Ovation.
There were many familiar faces of
other years in the large company. Gen.
John J. Pershing, commander in chief
Of the allied armies during the World
War, was in immaculate evening dress,
wearing q number of decorations, and
everywhere he went was surrounded by
IN admiring group. Gen. Peyton c.
March, chief Of staff Of the Army dur
Ing the World War, with Mrs. March,
Al6o was greeted by many friends, the
general wearing the serviceable khaki
uniform with many decorations.
A few Of the Army officers in the
Artillery appeared in the dress uni
forms, which for some time have been
worn only by aides at the White House.
The uniform Is cut like the conven-
tionAl evening clothes, with 1apels faced
With bright red to match the stripe on
the trousers Omcers Of the Army have
worn their serviceable khaki uniforms
Ence the war days, and the return to
Dress" uniform is something Of an in
novAtion.
Ths arrangements for the reception
followed closely those at other festivi-
tn, and too much praise cannot be
given to those In charge for the ease
and comfort with which so large a
company made its way in and out and
through the many rooms.
Secretary and Mrs. Stimson, who
Wsre immediately behind the President
And Mrs. Hoover as they came down
tho state stairway, were followed by
Secretary Of War and Mrs. Hurley, the
Attorney General and Mrs. Mitchell,
the Secretary of the Navy and Mrs.
Adams, the Secretary Of the Interior
and Mrs. Wilbur, Mrs. Lamont, wife of
the Secretary Of Commerce. escorted by
Col. James F. Ulio, and the Secretary of
Labor and Mrs. Doak. Mrs. StiAASon was
IN blue and silver brocade, fashioned
long, and with train and square neck
line, and she wore pearl ornaments. Mrs
Hurley had a striking costume of dull
gold color nodded to her figure with
hounce Of narrow ruffleS of the silk and
net alternating. Mrs. Mitchell was in
. gown with the skirt of black velvet
having q short train, and the bodice of
turquoise and silver brocade. Mrs.
Adams was a graceful figure in a gown
q white satin, fashioned to her figure,
with q graceful cowl neckline, touch
a rare old lace showing in the front,
and the long skirt falling into short
train at the back. Mrs. Wilbur also
was In white, her gown of brocade silk,
having a train and touches of silver
lace on the bodice over the arms Mrs
Lamont wore blue and silver llama,
which fell in graceful folds, and Mrs.
Doak wore white satin, a deep flounce
Of rare old lace falling to the floor and
into . very short train in the back
There also were touches Of the lace on
the bodice
Senator and Mrs. Joseph T. Robinson,
q Arkansas and Senator and Mrs.
inAg hamilton Lewis-both being
0amoorAAs-held court wherever they
seupped long enough to greet the many
friends who awaited the opportunity to
meet them. Mrs Robinson was in a
graceful gown Of turquoise blue brocade
and Mrs. Lewis wore brown net encrust-
ed with sequins and having a deep
nounce Of brown lace. She wore neck
lace Of diamonds and diamond pendent
earrings.
Supper Parties Precede Reception.
Two interesting supper parties were
given last evening, when the companies
included many of the honor guests of
the White House reception. The Assist
ant Secretary of War, Mr. F. Trubee
Dawson, and Mrs. Dawson were hosts