Evening star., 1938-01-30
PRESIDENTS WIFE
ATTENDS7PART|ES
Exploding Camera Bulb and
Surging Crowds Fail to
Wear Off Her Smile. =.

A camera bulb exploding not 2
1eet from her face, trafic tie-ups,
and surging crowds Of celebrators
didn't stop Mrs. Franklin D. Roose-
welt from smiling and thanking the
guests at the Presidents Birthday
parties at the seven hotels she at
tended tonight.
Visiting all the hotels In two hours,
Mrs. Roosevelt made her longest stop
at the Willard Hotel. where she cut
nve-layer birthday cake and listened
to the President broadcast.
Mrs. Roosevelt wore a long, white
ermine coat, trimmed at collar and
sleeves in white fox. Her dress was q
sheer embroidered net over black
satin. Her hair was caught In q
roll on the nape OF her neck.
AT each hotel stop, Mrs. Roosevelt
was greeted by the movie stars. She
met Janet Gaynor at the Wardinan
Hotel. her first stop, and in quick
succession, Fredric March and
Florence Eldridge at the Shoreham.
Ray Bolger and Vera Zorina at the
Mayflower, Louise Fazenda at the
Hamilton, little Tommy Kelley and
Ann Gillis at the Washington and
Eleanor Powell at the Raleigh, the last
stop before leaving for Alexandria to
attend dance there.
Thanks Crowds.
Mrs. Roosevelt at the Wardman
laughed with Janet Gaynor over the
luncheon party yesterday at the
White House. which she referred to as
"madhouse." In addition to the
stars at the luncheon, she told the
crowd, she entertained her four sons,
three daughters-in-law, her youngest
sons fiancee and her brother.
The Presidents wife at each stop
thanked the crowds for their CO.
operation in the celebration, which,
she said, would insure the future
good Of the children Of this country
and save them from terrible disease"
Mrs. Roosevelt met an old friend
at the Willard. He was Maj. Henry
Leonard Of the Marine Corps, who
was on duty at the White House dur
ing Theodore Roosevelts term. Maj.
Leonard recalled to her old times
when, as a young girl, she made her
debut.
Noticing the majors decoration,
the Order Of the Dragon. which was
presented to him by the Dowager
Empress Of China for his service in
the Boxer Rebellion, Mrs. Roosevelt
showed him the ornament she wore
suspended from long gold chain
about her neck. She said the center
figure and the spikes which formed
the round ornament had been taken
from the Maya ruins in Mexico.
Bulb Bursts in Face.
"At least" she laughed, this dec
Grafton is real gold anyway"
As the President made his brief
radio address, Mrs. Roosevelt cat
silent with head lifted to catch every
word. Before leaving the hotel she
chatted moment with Mrs Oliver
j. Roberts. wife Of the Supreme Court
justice.
Mrs. Roosevelt displayed real
courage at her last stop. the Raleigh
Hotel. when a camera bulb exploded
as she posed for the photographers
with Eleanor Powell. Both the Presi-
dents wife and Miss Powell continued
to smile as glass and sparks new.
As she left the last hotel, Mrs.
Roosevelt paused long enough to say
she was not a bit tired, though the
hectic pace Of the evening had put
strained expressions on the faces of
her escorts. John Saul. chairman of
the Floor Committee for the dances,
and Maj. Horace B. Smith, White
House aide. Robert Cottrell, president
Of the Board Of Trade, was beside Mrs.
Roosevelt at each stop to hold her coat
while she greeted the guests.