Evening star., 1933-10-29
Tales of Well Known Folk
In Art, Letters, Politics
Coming of Maxim Litvinof From Russia Excites
1nterest-Fads of John D. Rockefeller. Jr
Virginia Huntsmen on the Trail.

oOiiiC OAlc lldo Sd4O tlldI u pcISOll
without fad is like a social worker
without a sense Of humor-he has
nothing to fall back on in time of
stress and worry. Mr.. John D. Rookie
feller. jr., in his busy life has two fads
which mean rest and recreation to him.
One is the collecting of Polish rugs and
the other the reconstruction of an en-
tire town-if SO gigantic q scheme as
the latter can be called fad.
Several years ago when Mr.. Rookie
feller went to Williamsburg. Va, to at
tend a meeting Of the Phi Beta Kappa
Society be became interested in the
history Of the town and the beauty OF
some OF the old buildings that we're In
sad need of restoration, and Colonial
Williamsburg, Incorporated" was a re-
suit Of this visit. To the work OF re-
storing this historical town Mr.. Rookie
feller has given generously Of his for
tune and time, and the outcome has
been great contribution to the history
Of Colonial Americans. His other fad
has led to first awards from the Metro
politan Museum Of Art, as his Polish
rugs are famous among rug collectors.
kInaC POuSh rugs are CONSIDERED as
colorful and artistic the better
known Persian article may be news to
many who have studied Eastern rugs
and their fascinating history. They are
called rugs Polonalse" and 1t is almost
200 years since the industry f1ourished
in Poland proper. But Polish rug
weavers repaired to Teheran and Mr..
Rockefeller's treasures are Polish in
origin and in distinctive merit, but he
purchased them in Persia,
Less than a thousand Of these rugs
Polonaise are known to exist and less
than q hundred have found their way
to the United States. These rugs are
Of three kinds-the now almost extinct
knotted carpet, the hand-woven and
the hand-embroidered. The rugs were
made primarily to furnish suitable gifts
to visiting potentates or to important
members Of q diplomatic or political
mission. Mr.. Rockefeller has made a
study OF his gift carpets and has found
it an absorbing and complicated theme,
since they were woven in the early
seventeenth century and had Travelled
far before getting to Persia, the choicest
rug market in the world.
The main topic of conversation dur
ing the past week has been the antici-
pated visit Of the commissar Of foreign
affairs of the Soviet government,
Maxim Litvinoff. who is expected to
land in this country early in Novem-
Der. He is perhaps best known here to
many people through his book-or
rather brochure-for 1t is in pamphlet
form, THE Bolshevik Revolution, Its
Rise and Meaning" which was edited
from notes by his wife. Nine. Ivy Low
Litvinof, or Litvinova. who married
him when he was plenipotentiary of the
Russian peoples government to Great
Britain.
Apropos Of the attitude Of the United
States toward Soviet Russia there has
been quite bit of discussion pro and
con about the reception-or lack of re-
ception-accorded Our first representa-
tives at the Court Of Catherine, I'd; and
her feeling toward the struggling States
has been compared to the feeling many
countries of the world have experienced
toward the regime in Russia after the
iall OF the empire. When, as a matter
OF TACT, Catherine the Greats prejudice
against America was more largely due
to her feeling of hatred toward Kos
clusko, who took SO prominent a part
in the American Revolution and who
had been her bitter enemy in the par
titions Of Poland in which Catherine
had Joined so heartily with Frederick
the Great.
Mr.. Frank B. Kellogg, who authorized
the site for the new American embassy
in Paris while he was Secretary of
State, has visited the new building and
pronounce it highly satisfactory. He
is Of the opinion that the concentration
Of American Government officials in
one well-equipped building will result
in the greatest convenience and econ
ory to travellers and thousands of per-
sens having dealings with the American
Government. and will prevent the re-
duplicating of effort among the Gov
ernment services. Mr.. Kellogg was
familiar with the American personnel
In Paris when housed in five different
buildings-miles apart.
A most appreciative gesture on the
part of Premier Mussolini has been to
surround the tomb of Dante at Ra-
VIENNA. Italy. with q zone of silence.
This has been one Of his pet projects !
He has ordered that all traffic should
be diverted from streets around the
great poets last resting place and that |
unsightly buildings marring its monu-
mental effect should be removed The
1aea OF the zone Of silence originated in |
popular Fascist slogan that only II
Duce himself could speak Of the poet |
in big enough terms.
One encouraging aspect in the up
ward trend Of business affairs is the |
brighter outlook in the field of art and |
letters. The bibliophile is ION his way"
as shown in sales during the last six |
weeks, for he is even indulging in lux
uries such as autograph letters, plays, |
etc. Two weeks ago in New York |
George Washingtons autographed copy
of the early American play. THE Con- |
trast," was sold at well known gallery. |
The play by Royal Taylor Of Vermont |
is called the first American play given |
with success on the American stage. !
This copy was printed in Philadelphia |
in 1890. and Is bound in a contemporary
red morocco binding. A 13-page list Of |
subscribers is headed by Gen. Washing
ton, as the first subscriber. 1t ap-
peared in The sale Of the effects of Law
renee Washington at Philadelphia on |
November %. 1876. The play is a |
comedy in five acts and was produced