Evening star., 1941-01-11
Women's Press Club
Host 10 Roosevelt,
Setting Precedent
Luncheon Is First Of Its
Kind Ever Attended by
A Chief Executive

The Womrn's National Press Club
has a silver donkey today--a gift
from President Roosevelt after he
noted that applause came from al,
parts of the room when he spoke
at the clubs historic luncheon in
his honor yesterday.
The donkey, filled with cigarettes
and matches, was left for Demo-
Gratis and Republicans alike when
the President had concluded a
30-minute of -the-reCord talk at the
first gathering of press women ever
attended by Chief Executive.
Hall Roosevelt, Mrs. Roosevelt S
brother, brought in the donkey while
the luncheon was being served.
The occasion yesterday also was
the first luncheon the President has
attended in Washington since he
has been in the White House.
Permission to disclose that the
President previewed the part wom-
en- can play in the national defense
program was given to the news
paperWomen by Charles Nicholson,
director of publicity for the Demo-
cratic National Committee, after the
luncheon. 1t had been announced
earlier that the Presidents talk was
entirely ff-the-record.
Apparently enjoying himself, Mr..
Roosevelt proposed a joint confer
ence with his wife for the benefit
of the men who cover his press
sessions. Such a conference, he sug-
gested, would be an excellent labor
saving device and another forward
step in Government reorganization.
Smiles at Introduction.
Smiling genially throughout the
luncheon, the President smiled even
more broadly when he was intro
duced as the husband OF Eleanor
Roosevelt, columnist."
Helen Essary, the club president,
further described the distinguished
guest as "a gentleman who lives in
such a blaze of glory as could only
come from being married to so
popular and distinguished men,
Der of the Women'S National Press
Club"
Mrs. Roosevelt. member of the
club, shared honors with her hus-
band.
The President, too, received a gilt
at the luncheon-an alarm clock de-
signed to assist him in opening his
press conferences on time. Orlgl-
nallv it was to have been left for
him at Mrs. Roosevelt's Gridlron
widows party in December, put
Santa Claus couldn't find 1t at the
time.
His failure to receive the clock has
been used by the President as
"base alibi" for being late at press
conferences, Mrs. Essary explained.
Mrs. Roosevelt, who made the pre-
sentation, told the President she
would set the clock for the hour at
which he is supposed to put out his
light at night.
Would End Night Conferences.
She will use the clock to break up
her husbands night conferences,
also, she indicated. IT will just put
the alarm clock inside the door to
scare away any guests" she said.
Falla, the Presidents pet Scotty,
serves as an alarm in the morning,
she added. A moment Of suspense
was provided when, after a mlXup
of signals, Mrs. Essary started to
present the honor guest before he
had finished his coffee. Mr.. Roose-
velt firmly kept his cup, however,
obviously enjoying the situation.
About 260 persons, virtually all the
club members and one guest each,
attended the luncheon. A sprinkling
of celebrities was present. but most
of the members brought their hus-
bands, mothers, sisters or other rela-
tives.
Members of the White House
eecretariat and Mr.. Nicholson were
the only club guests in addition to
the Roosevelts.
Nicholson Loses Bet.
Mr.. Nicholson lost an 8-5 bet
with Mrs. Essary that the President
wouldn't accept the luncheon invi-
tation. The publicity chief had a
place at the speakers table yester-
day, eating his "croW" along with
the strawberries, breast of spring
chicken, rice croquettes, string beans
and ice cream and cake.
The menu had been kept fairly
simple in order to expedite the serv-
ice and allow the President the
maximum of time for his talk. He
left Immediately afterwards for
Hyde Park.
Red carnations decorated the
speakers table, while Southern
smilax and massed palms were used
throughout the ballroom.
President Roosevelt wore a dark
red carnation on the lapel OF his
business suit. Mrs. Roosevelt, in a
black dress with a bodice of gold
brocade, wore an orchid corsage. A
wing feather topped her close-ftting
black hat.
President and Mrs. Roosevelt were
seated with club officers and COM
mittee chairmen at the speakers
table before the others were ad-
rnitted to the large ballroom. Mem
bers had assembled in the small
ballroom a half hour early as Secret
Service men took every precautlon