The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1935-05-22
n OW
Roosevelt Clan
Has Busy Day
HISTORIC HOME
BY HELEN ESSARY


Two members of the Roose.
Welt clan are officiating at two
charitable parties today.
Mrs. Franklin D. Roosevelt
Will receive at the annual Won.
ems Democratic Club garden
party at RidgelandS, the home
OF Senator and Mrs. Key Pitt
man.
Mrs. Henry Latrobe Roose-
welt, wife of the Assistant Secre-
tary Of the Navy, will pour tea
at the Decatur House, open to-
day and tomorrow for the bene-
fit Of the Thrift Shop.
No other Washington house
has as dramatic a past as the
Decatur House. There have been
more tears than laughter behind
Its solemn brick walls.
When Commodore Stephen
Decatur built the house about
o hundred years ago with the
prize money he earned chasing
Barbary pirates, he thought it
would be his home for many
years. The lanterns beside which
the Marines are standing today
and tomorrow, we're lighted for
his first big party in the new
house. ball for little Maria
Monroe" Two days later Com
modore Decatur was carried
dying across his threshold.
Since his duel with Barron, the
name of Decatur has chung to
the house for generations.
The brilliant Henry Clay, who
lived there while he was Secre-
tary of State, could not conquer
the Houses tragic inheritance.
Perhaps he was too seldom at
home with Mrs. Clay and the
babies, and too often playing
cards at Gadsby's Tavern on
the Avenue. Later Gadsby
owned the big house and Clay
lived in one room at Gadsby's.
Like Decatur. Clay fought a
duel. But John Randolph fired
in the air. The only damage
done was the hole Clay's bullet
tore in Randolph's coat.
When Van Buren, succeeded
Clay as Secretary of State, he
lived at the Decatur House, and
gave hopeful parties for the ex-
citing Peggy Eaton, wife of the
Secretary of War, to which the
fright" Washington ladies never
came. though President Jackson
ordered their husbands to send
them.
Cora Livingston, the daughter
of another Secretary of State,
brought the shadow of a third
duel to the house. The man
she married there had already
killed a man. Although progress
is levelling the rest of the
stirring Lafayette neighborhood.
the Decatur house still stands
and enjoys the present dis
tinguished ownership of Mr..
and Mrs, Truxtun Beale.
The Gardenville School, just
outside of Baltimore, has locked
out (literally) its Parent Teacher
organization.
Sound idea! Forty or so young
demons are enough responsible
ity for any one teacher without
the added trial of the demons
parents.
Originally the Parent-Teacher
Association was an excellent
organization. Now. to me at
least, it's value is debatable. I
dislike particularly it's system Of
making school children feel un-
comfortable if their parents stay
away from its meddleSome meet
angS.
A spring diary-chill, damp
and uncertain.
+ Saturday afternoon to gar
den party at White House in
little lowered model topped
with wool coat. Remove wool
coat while waiting in sunshine
to shake hands with Mrs. Roose-
welt. Put coat on. Watch lively
musical gestures of relocated
Marine Band. Watch Mrs. Roose-
welt, smiling, coatless, in shade of
tulip tree. Remove outer wooden
garment. Sneeze six times.
Collect fur neckpiece for teas
at j. j. Macks and Ashmun
Browns. Just as well. Lady
guests at both places elegant in
silver fox and nonchalance. Ar
rive at dinner at Austrian Lega-
ton in winter dinner dress,
complete with jacket. Other
lady guests in chiffon. Gentle
men in linen mess jackets.
Sunday to garden parties Of
Assistant Secretary of State, j.
Walton Moore and the Malcolm
MatheSons, in silk suit and top
coat. Virginia sunshine warm.
Home again. Dig summer gar
ments out of attic for early sup
per intended-to-be-eaten out Of
doors at Chevy Chase Club. Club
gardens beautiful, but so cold,
put on gloves while looking at
swimming pool. Big open fire in
doors after supper.
Tuesday, plough through mud
and sawdust for three hours in
damp circus tent. Then to in.
door garden party at the w. D.
Sterretts. Charming house. La
dies in assorted tweeds, winter
coats, chiffons and summer
crepe de chimes. Home again.
Hunt up winter galoshes to wear