The Washington times., 1936-06-19
NOW
Sen. Radcliffe
Puts Off Trip
CAPITAL
BY HELEN ESSARY

10y GOOGAAs
President Roosevelt said to Sen
ator Radcliffe, of Maryland:
"GeOrge, as soon as these con-
ventiOnS are over, / want you to
come with me for a ride on The
Potomac Well explore the
Chesapeake Bay and you can
sail us into some of those little
creeks and cOves you talk so
much about"
Thank you, Mr.. President"
said Senator Radcliffe. But l
can't lead you on such an ex.
pedition-nOt at this time! In
those cOveS are treacherOuS
sandbarS. 1 can't have your ship
running aground-NO sir. Not
until after November, anyhow"
The gifted George Biddle, of the
Department of Justice Murals and
Philadelphia, thinks Washington
is the most charming city he has
ever lived in. And he knows the
world from Tahiti and Mexico to
Greenwich Village and Croton-on,
the Hudson.
"Why Is Washington so
charming? Some people say it
is dreary."
"The city itself is faScinat-
ing and friendly" answered Mr..
Biddle. "And so very beautiful
with the work of the Govern
ment going on in temples and
palaces. The infOrmaIity here
is delightful. You ring up a
Senator or a Cabinet member.
If you happen to know him, and
say, BY the way, can you drop
in Saturday afternoon that's
when the weeks work is Over),
I've got a friend who wants to
meet you
THAT sort of an invitation
would be absolutely impossible
in any other capital in the
world. Of course, before you
acquire such important friend
ships here you must be present
able and fairly amusing and
have something to offer. But one
may have all of these things in
Paris or London and get no
closer to the people who govern
the country than the headlines
of the newspapers"
While Mr.. Biddle was discussing
Washington, we were dining as
the guests of Mrs. William Boyce
Thompson on her gorgeous yacht,
Alder, anchored in the Potomac
River just off Boiling Field. Mrs.
daughter, Margaret,
Mr.. Biddle's cousin,
Anthony J. Drexel Biddle, now
U. S. Minister to Norway.
Mrs. Thompson, at whose boat
crowds of Hains Point landlub-
bers stare most of the day and
night, has a fascinating life. She
from Bombay to New
York, to China to South America
and back again as the inspiration
to travel comes to her.
She probably will be outside of
Washington for only a few days.
When her friends want to know
where she can be found, perhaps
next Tuesday, Mrs. Thompson re-
plies:
"I'm not quite sure. We may
pull anchOr-Well-juSt phone
my secretary at my YOnkers
house and inquire"
When Mrs. Thompson next sails
north she is taking as her guest
her, old friend, Doris Stevens.
Miss Stevens, a Grade A femi-
mist and a brilliant, charming per-
son, has, however, no greater in
tereSt in woman's equality than
has Mrs. Thompson. Mrs. Thomp-
son is particularly keen about the
aims of the Inter-American Com
of Women. She is working
with the committee of 100 for the
of the treaty which
will permit women to keep their
own nationality after marriage.
Delight in travel and adventure
were ch aract teriStic of Mrs.
Thompson's other guests on the
Alder.
Mr.. Franz Schneider had just
flown his own sea plane down
from New York for conference
with Mrs. Thompson about her
interests in copper, silver,
gold and diamonds.
The plane was parked in
hanger not far away across the
water. It's tail lights burned
steadily while the lights of the big
travelling ships rose and fell in
the skies as they came and went
from the airport.
Mrs. George Rublee had Just
flown in that morning from Mex
leo. Shortly after dinner she re-
luctantly dragged herself away
from the Alder's beautiful deck
and it's eiderdown cushions as
soft as whipped cream.
The yachts sleek launch, piloted
Continued on Page 81, Col. p
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