Evening star., 1932-08-29
KEPT FROM SEEING
! MCCORMICK GRAVE
Throngs Find Social Leader
Buried in Temporary
Vault Beside Son.
BY the Associated Press.

BY the Associated Press.
CHICAGO. August 29.-Throngs of
curious persons have visited Graceland
Cemetery to view the grave of MIS-
Edith Rockefeller Mccormick, but have
discovered the body lies in a receiving
vault next to that Of a son who died
81 years ago.
Funeral services for the social leader
were held Saturday. 1t had been re-
ported that she was to be buried be-
side her son, John Rockefeller McCor-
mick, who died in childhood of scarlet
fever.
In all these years." the sexton said,
Eve have never received any inStruc-
tions regarding the body of the boy. y
The sexton said cemetery officials had
received no instructions regarding dis
position CT Mrs. McCormick's body, al
though it was reported the family
planned to erect mausoieun. He said
the McCormickS had no plot IN the
cemetery.
Society Seeks Successor.
Her brother, John D. Rockefeller, jr.,
and her sister, Mrs. E. Parmalee Prem
tice who attended her funeral Satur-
day, checked out of their hotel last
night and were reported en- route TO
New York. Other members of the fam
lily who came here for the funeral re-
mained in the city today.
Chicago'S social empire is looking Tor
an empress The mansion where Mrs.
Mccormick dictated TO society for 80
years is empty. social dynasty enued
with her death.
Candidates to succeed her among the
citys millionaire dowagerS are many.
But. members of society's inner circle
said today, the dictatreSS probably will
be one of a half dozen women who
have not sought the homer.
There is no one with the command
ing financial position, possessing the
prominence of two nationally known
names and having the desire to lead OF
Mrs Mccormick Wearing a quarter
million dollars in jewels at the opera
or entertaining the elite of several ma
tions at dinner the daughter OF John
D. Rockefeller, ST., was pre-emlnent.
Mrs. Chalmers Mentioned.
Often mentioned as her first ranking
associate in society was Mrs. William
j. Chalmers, who celebrated her golden
wedding anniversary in 1928. Her
wealth, executive ability and command
ing personality might easily make her
the new leader if she wished.
But Mrs Chalmers work in helping
crippled children takes much of her
time Her position near the top Of
society is definite, but her desire to lead
may not be great.
Then there is Mrs. Waller Borden, a
neighbor. who was an intimate friend
of Mrs Mccormick. Her gay. efferves-
cent spirit, associates say, offsets any
disinclination to inspire the awe for
which Mrs Mccormick was known. The
divorced wife of John H. Borden, ex-
plorer and sportsman, Mrs. Borden has
entertained royalty and dignitaries Of
many countries.
Mrs. Bertha Bauer-attorney busi-
ness executive, political leader. expert
home maker and known as "Chicago's
most versatile woman,"-is another who
may find herself too busy to take up
Mrs. McCormick's scepter.
The woman known as Chicago'S most
famous hostess because Of a penchant
for entertaining celebrities-Mrs. How
ard Linn-would not desire the role, her
friends say.
Mrs. Silas Strawn, wife of the former
president of the International Chamber
of Commerce, friend of the Calvin Cool
idge's, and favorite in diplomatic circles,
may finally be Mrs. McCormick's sue
cessor. Mrs. Richard T. Crane, I'd, Mrs.
Arthur Neeker and Mrs. Rufus c. Dawes
are others.