Evening star., 1936-03-01

Famous names in the history of this
country are holding their own in the
political arena today, with the Sec
ond President Roosevelt occupying the
White House, and the name of Taft
again spoken of in connection with the
presidential Office. Son of the late
former President William Howard
Taft. afterward Chief Justice, Robert
A. Taft Is known in Washington.
where he lived during most OF his
boyhood. Mr.. Taft was at school
while his father was in the cabinet
of President Theodore Roosevelt, and
at Yale College, his fathers alma
mater, during his fathers administra-
ton, but he had many friends here
in the younger generation during
those days His marriage to Miss
Martha Bowers took place in historic
st. Johns Church, on Lafayette Square,
October II, 1914, his bride being the
daughter of the late Lloyd Wheaton
Bowers, solicitor general. She was a
popular debutante here, and their
wedding was one of the important
ones of that Autumn. Mr.. Taft's
mother sailed yesterday from New
York for a cruise to old Mexico just
at the time when her son was being
put up in the Ohio primaries for
the highest Office in the land. once
held by his father. Robert Taft was
one of the most studious, conservative
youngsters who ever became famous
as the Presidents son." 1t was his
young brother Charley, now known
as Charles P. Taft, I'd, named for
the former Presidents brother. who
was the merrymaker of the White
House in the Taft administration. He
was as full of prenks as his brother
and sister were of more serious things.
Mrs Robert Taft, as Martha Bowers,
was one of the loveliest girls of her
debutante season, and she had her full
quota of belleship before she mar
ried the young lawyer. settled in Gin
old home. His mother. by the way.
was one of the inspirations for the
Cincinnati Orchestra, made famous by
the late Theodore Thomas, America s
first conductor to command interna-
tional fame. Mrs. Taft, as Miss Helen
Heron, an outstanding pianist of the
Middle West. was teacher of music
in the Cincinnati College OF Music
when she married the young lawyer
Taft. destined for the highest Offices
his country could give. As founder
of the Cincinnati Orchestra, she has
proudly displayed in her dining room
q gorgeous silver punch bowl with a
wide brim which holds the names of
the original members of the orchestra,
which was presented to her when she
left Cincinnati with Judge Taft on
his first judicial appointment from the
Government.
There was never, in the memory of
the oldest inhabitant. such a quiet
Shrove Tuesday for Washington So
ciety. It seemed as though Lent was
creeping in. not bolting in, as it has
in many former years. But Lent is
not being observed by the fashionables
because it is fashionable. as has been
charged in former seasons. There
were important dinners and luncheons
given on Ash Wednesday, a thing
never done in "other years." and last
night, the first Saturday night in the
Lenten season, one of the smartest
parties of the season was given by
Mr.. and Mrs. Hugh D. Auchincloss in
their lovely. modern country home.
Merriewood, across the Potomac from
Washington. It was a dinner and
dance and there are house guests
over Sunday. Mr.. and Mrs. Auchin-
Gloss are still bride and bridegroom"
Mrs. Auchincloss being the former
Nina Gore Vidal. daughter of the
Senator from Oklahoma.
The Spring season will be marked
by one of the smartest weddings, that
of Miss Mariana Dunn and Count
Guy de Baillet-Latour of Brussels,
Belgium. which will take place April
30 The bridegroom -to-be will arrive
here in time to take part in the round
Of festivities which is being ar
ranged for the happy pair. preceding
the wedding. The bride-elect is the
lovely debutante daughter of the
special assistant to the Secretary Of
State ana Mrs. James Clement Dunn.
Mrs. Dunn was formerly Mary
Armour Of Chicago and they have
been active in the smart set in
Washington ever since Mr.. Dunn was
called to the State Department some
years ago.
A charming visitor from Washing
ton in Barcelona, Spain. this Spring
will be Miss Priscilla Gorgas Wright
son, daughter Of Mr.. and Mrs. VIII
liam D. wrightson of Chevy Chase
and granddaughter of the late Maj
Gen. and former Surg. Gen. William
Crawford Gorgas. U. s. A., and Mrs.
Gorgas. Miss Wrightson will sail
March II from Baltimore for Spain to
visit her mothers cousins, United
States consul and Mrs. Lynn w. Frank
lin. Miss Wrightson was never formal
ly presented to society. She just
Slipped out" on the heels of her
older sister Marie, now Mrs. Roger
Gabriel. She and her sister made
great names for themselves as ex-
pert swimmers. with trophies won In
exhibitions. Miss Wrightson will re-
turn here probably by May ].
Echoes Of other administrations are
constantly being heard in Washing
ton. The newest one Is that of great
granddaughter Of President and Mrs.
Rutherford B. Hayes Of Ohio, when
1t was announced that Miss Lucy
Webb Hayes, name-sake Of her great
grandmother, outstanding prohibition
ist Of her day, was to have part
in the play who's Looney Now" to
be given by the "Chevy Chase
Frantics" next Wednesday night in
Wardman Park Theater. by the stu
dents Of the Chevy Chase School. |
Forty students will cavort In this gay |
political satire written and directed |
by Mrs. r. e. Harrington. Miss Hayes
will appear as an "old-fashioned girl
In the episode entitled "The Horse I