The Washington times., 1937-01-21
NOW
The Inaugural
Reception
FAMILY PARTY
BY HELEN ESSARY
wasn't it a lovely day to be
caught in the ra-in?"


Wasn't it lovely day to be
caught in the ra-in?"
Yes, wasn't it?
We'll, you can't have every
thing. Think how much better
it is than sunshine and Landon
and be thankful" said Mrs.
Homer Cummings, wife of the
Attorney General, as she directed
a rivulet from the back of her
husbands top hat to the outside
of his coat collar.
Mr.. Roosevelt had just received
the solemn oath from Chief JUS
tice Hughes.
Mrs. Roosevelt, I honestly
think, is the most remarkable
woman in the world. She tosses
off public, domestic and social
duties with both sincerity and
ease and a rare consideration Tor
the feelings of others.
While the rain splaShed in on
the stand where the President
took his oath, she refused the
blanket offered her and saw that
Chief Justice Hughes was made
comfortable with it instead.
Then, the Capitol ceremony
over, she rode beside her hus-
band through cloudburst to the
White House.
When drenched dignitaries had
checked soggy hats, coats, UNI
breuas, galoshes and raincoats at
the White House east entrance
and climbed the stairs to the first
floor, there was Mrs. Roosevelt,
smiling in a becoming dress,
greeting everyone. personally, as
composed and relaxed as if she
had just emerged from hot
bath and the hands Of mas
Seuse!
"How did you manage to do
it?" / asked.
"WhiIe 1 stepped out Of my
wet dress they dropped a dry
one over my head and here
am" she said.
When Mrs. Roosevelt ate her
luncheon I can't imagine. She
shook hands with 500 guests and
was in her place in the reviewing
stand beside her husband when
the first detachment of the par
Rde went by.
Other guests at the White
House luncheon ate and ate
heartily. Food was served in both
the East Room and the State Din
ing Room. .-
Ushers directed guests four at
a time, first to the right. And
then to the left. Republican floor
leaoer, Bertram W. Smell, found
himself in the dining room while
his wife was lunching under the
East Room chandeliers. Attorney
General and MIS-. Cummings and
other husbands and wives were
separated.
This, however, was not a heart
breaking situation. There were
many pleasant people, in both
rooms.
The service of food was extraor-
dinarily prompt. We were pre-
sented quickly with plate OF
cold meats, good vegetable salad,
hot rolls, and creamed potatoes,
and with forks and paper nap
kins. Hot coffee, ice cream and
coconut cake came later.
Mrs. Sara Delano Roosevelt sat
in a chair in the corner of the
State dining room. Had three
cups Of black coffee and one roll.
Looked as fresh as :, pink. And
had the manner of person who
took the second Inauguration of
her son as President of the United
States in her daily stride.
1t was the Presidents mother,
by the way, who made that classic
reply when someone asked her
why she supposed the T. R. Roose-
velts hated her branch of the
family so much.
Cant imagine why" she
said. "Unless it's because we're
better looking than they are"
President Roosevelt appeared
for a few moments among the
guests on his way to the review
ing stand. Made some happy re-
marks which caused a large
group to clap loudly. Then said,
in an aside, that the only thing
he had to worry about now was
that his son John was outgroW-
ing everybody in the family.
Secretary of State and Mrs.
Hull, home from the triumphs of
the Buenos Aires conference, held
q private court in the state din!
ing room. Dozens of people told
Mrs. Hull how well she was look
ing, shook Mr.. Hull by the hand
and said how proud Of him they
were.
Bishop Freeman told the Sec
retary that he had advanced the
cause of religion and peace and
the world should be grateful for
him.
Mrs. Garner, wife of the Vice
President, was radiant with her
son Tully and his family and lit
tie Genevieve in tow.