Evening star., 1935-02-22

i Chief Executive and Mrs
Roosevelt entertained at {
reception in honor of the officials o1
the Treasury, Post Office, Interior
Agriculture, Commerce and Labor De.
partments and the Federal agencies
The heads of the numerous new divi-
sions of the Government departments
turned out en- masse for the fete, and
as the long line of guests passed
through the historic blue room the
President and Mrs. Roosevelt greeted
many close friends and associates OF
long standing.
The time-honored traditions of a
state function were followed. How
ever, like all functions given by the
President and Mrs. Roosevelt, the
characteristic atmosphere of informal
ity prevailed.
Arrangements for the comfort of the
large company were carried out as at
the last reception. Guests on entering
the East Room formed three lines
each moving into the Green Room for
several minutes at a time, thus avoid
ing congestion and crowding. This
innovation was first tried at the last
reception when the guests of honor
were the members of the Congress. al
ways one of the largest of the State
functions.
Shortly after o'clock the fan flare
Of trumpetS heralded the appearance
of the presidential party at the great
door of the state dining room. The
President and Mrs. Roosevelt greeted
the members of the Cabinet and their
wives in the family dining room, where
they formed in line to make the stately
march to the blue room. AS the pres
ldential party crossed the red corridor
to the formal parlors the orchestra
played Hail to the Chief" Imme-
diately preceding the hosts were the
White House aides walking two
abreast, and following the President
and Mrs. Roosevelt were the Cabinet
group.
Seldom does one see as many beau
tiful and striking gowns in one as
sembly as at last nights event. The
motif for Spring in both material and
design predominated in not a few OF
the most effective costumes. While
black gowns were much in evidence
many of the ladies wore frocks in bril-
liant hues.
Mrs. Cordell Hull chose for the ac-
casion gold lace gown which was
worn over gold cloth. The gown was
designed with small caps over the
shoulders, and trimmed with beige
chiffon flowers at the front In the
absence of the Secretary of State, who
left yesterday afternoon for Florida,
Mrs. Hull accompanied the Secretary
of the Navy and Mrs. Claude A.
Swanson. Mrs. Swanson was in beige
taffeta frightened by sash of orange
velvet which extended to the bottom
of the train in the back. The gown
was made with a flaring collar.
Mrs. Morgenthau, wife of the Sec
retary of the Treasury, wore becom-
ing gown Of violet lace with which
she wore star pendant.
The Secretary of War was accom-
panied by Mrs. Dern and their daugh-
ter. Miss Betsy Dern. Mrs. Dern wore
becoming gray chiffon, brocaded with
silver tulips. The gown had a long
shoulder line which gave the effect Of
short sleeves, and the skirt terminated
in short train. Miss Dern had a
bright red satin gown.
The Secretary of the Interior and
Mrs. Ickes were among the early ar
rivals, the latter charming in gown
of white, which was shot with threads
of silver and trimmed in white satin.
A soft drapery of the material fell
over the upper part of the arms and
the skirt fell into train in the back.
They were accompanied by the Sec
retary's sister, Mrs. Clinton Hazard,
who wore black lace.
The Secretary of Agriculture was
accompanied by Mrs. Wallace, whose
gown was of white satin trimmed in
silver cloth, which started at the
shoulders, met at the waist and con-
tinued down the back to the end OF
the train.
Miss Ruth Wallace was with her
brother and sister-in-law, Secretary
and Mrs. Wallace. Miss Wallace wore
black satin made moderately high in
front and low in back, two brilliant
clasps holding the material at the back.
The skirt was long and flared into a
short train.
In addition to Secretary of State,
Mr.. Hull, and Secretary of the Navy,
Mr.. Swanson, the Attorney General
and Mrs. Cummings and the Post
master General and Mrs. Farley were
absent from the official family last
evening.
With the Secretary Of Commerce
and Mrs. Roper was their daughter,
Miss Grace Roper. Mrs. Roper Sc
lected for the reception gown of
double faced rose satin, made on long
lines. The bodice had a cowl neck
and was rather low in the back. A
sash around the waist fell into the
train. With this gown she wore
pearls. Miss Roper had on green
velvet gown which was low in the
back and had crystal shoulder straps
and a slight train.
Miss Frances Perkins, Secretary Of
Labor, wore a black velvet gown
gracefully made and having short
train.
State Suite Abloom
With Flowers and Ferns.
Much thought is given the floral
arrangements at White House party
and particularly effective were the
flowers at last nights affair. In the
east room, where much of the large
company assembled, the mantels were
banked with baby primroses, pink car
nations, pussy willow and ferns, and
In the huge blue urns were pink car
nations and stock in a paler shade.
The graceful console tables In the
famous room were banked with bego-
mia, sweetpeas and ferns, and in the
windows were stately palms and potted