Evening star., 1936-02-11

welt will entertain at dinner
this evening in honor of the
n Speaker of the House and
Mrs. Joseph w. Byrns, which will be
the last state dinner on the ofdcial
schedule for this season.
Mrs. Roosevelt was the guest at
luncheon today of Mrs. Daniel @.
Roper, wife of the Secretary of Com
merce, who entertained in her charm
ing home, on Woodland drive. Others
in the company were Mrs. William
Howard Taft, Sonora de Espil,
Senhora de Aranha, Sonora de Alfaro,
wife of the Minister Of Panama; Nine.
Pelenyi, Mrs. George Sutherland. Mrs.
Harlan Fiske Stone. Mrs. Morris
Sheppard, Representative Caroline
ODay, Mrs. John H. Russell, Mrs.
Ernest G. Draper, Mrs. j. M. johnson.
Mrs. George H. Mead and Mrs. James
e. Watson of New York. Mrs Gilbert
N. Hitchcock and Mrs. Angus Smith.
Mrs. Roper arranged q gay center
piece for the table, Of yellow Spring
flowers, and in the living room were
Gala and Easter lilies, while in the
sun parlor a profusion of early Spring
blossoms were placed.
Large Reception
To the Congress.
There must have been considerable
pinch-hitting at the reception the
President and Mrs. Roosevelt gave last
night at the White House, for while
there were many familiar faces miss
ing in the ranks of the lawmakers
Of the country, from a point OF num-
Der, all of Congress was there. Per-
haps the Strictly Not Transferable,
printed on the little cards OF adms-
sion were overlooked or it might be
that to pasS on a treasured bid" to
the mansion was thought in order.
Notwithstanding, it would seem that
more consideration should be given
the ever gracious hosts. and invitations
to these state functions should not
be passed on like so many movie
passes.
1t seemed the irony of fate that
the reception last evening" having beer
postponed from January % because OF
the death of King George v of Eng
land, should have been set and taken
place between the death and burial OF
the most recent President of the Sen
ate. Vice Preident Charles Curtis.
To write of the prominent figures
who were not present at this function
especially honoring the members OF
the Senate and Lower House would
be more to the point. The Vice Presi-
dent, Mr.. John Nance Garner, Presi-
dent of the Senate, lodged the func-
ton, at which he would have headed
the line Of honor guests, with ex-
plantations that he does not attend
evening parties. The Speaker of the
House of Representatives, Mr.. Joseph
w. Byrns, at the last minute was
forced to send his regrets. He was
suffering from a cold yesterday and
at nightfall it became worse and he
was advised to remain at home. Presi-
dent Pro Tempore Of the Senate Sen
ator Key Pittman was detained at his
office until late and did not attend the
function. Mrs. Pittman, one of tht
most popular of the senatorial host
esses, was quite i'll earlier in the Win
ter and is not attending many social
affairs Just now.
There were many absentees also in
the cabinet circle, due to illnesses
or absences from the city. The Sec
retary Of the Treasury and Mrs
Henry Morgenthau, jr., missed their
first state reception this season, Mrs.
Morgenthau is recovering from in
juries received in a fall on the ice
last week. The Secretary of War
and Mrs. George H. Dern were not
there. however, representing them
we're their two attractive daughters,
Mrs. Harry Baxter, wearing gown
Of black crepe studded in brilliants.
and Miss Betsy Dern in a lovely gown
Of American beauty chiffon. Mrs.
James A. Farley, wife of the Post
master General, is in Washington but
was unable to attend the function
because of a cold, and her husband
remained at home with her. Mrs.
Claude A. Swanson was accompanied
by her son. Mr.. Douglas Hall, the
Secretary of the Navy being con-
fined to his home because of injuries
received in a fall. The Secretary OF
Agriculture, Mr.. Henry A. Wallace, Is
also victim of the epidemic of colds
and was unable to be present, Mrs.
Wallace, however, was among the
guests. The Secretary of Labor, Miss
Frances Perkins, and the Secretary
of Commerce and Mrs. Daniel @
Roper, and Mr.. Harold L. IckeS, Sec
retary Of the Interior were also missed
from the line.
Much Interest
Shown In Newcomers.
With all these lamented absences
the reception, however. was one Of the