Detroit evening times. (Detroit, Mich) 1921-1958, 1942-01-02
Official
Hostess N
Suggested
BY MAURV PAUL

4
bilt mansion (now owned by the
English Astors) and make the
fine. old brown stone structure
the official residence for nota-
bles who come here as official
guests of the city.
Now the idea occurS-why not
make the present mistress of $40
Fifth avenue the official host
cSS
Certainly no one is better
fitted for that role than Mrs.
Cornelius Vanderbilt-who has
forgotten more about entertain
ing and social protocol than
more Gotham hostesses ever Will
know.
There's little question but
what Her Grace wants 10 con-
tinue on at $40 Fifth avenue IN
definitely. Just as there is little
question about the English
AstorS, due TO the war, finding
the Vanderbilt mansion some
thing of white elephant on
their hands. Ii may be some
years before conditions will per-
NIT Of them razing the structure
and erecting the towering office
building planned for the site.
Added TO which. New York is
certain 10 be inundated with
"notabilities from the four cor
ners of the earth, once we have
brought this war to a success
full conclusion. And where could
those visiting us Officially be
better. and more fittingly,
housed than at $40 Fifth avenue.
With the late BERTHE" Goe-
let's house farther down The
Avenue in the hands Of house
wreCkers. and the Jay Gould
mansion destined TO come down
when Finley J. Shepard is sum-
moned to chant with the angelic
choir in the ElySian Fields, 1t
wouldn't be bad idea for New
York to retain the Vanderbilt
abode both as an Official resi-
dence" for important visitors
and as a museum--a reminder
to future generations of an era
of luxury and gracious living
that probably never again will
be known on this troubled earth.
1t has been whispered TO me
that Her Grace" would well
come the opportunity 10 make
some arrangement whereby she
could remain on in her Aston
owned home til the end of her
days.
And that she would be enthu-
Siastically receptive TO a sug-
geStion she assume the role Of
official hostess" and look after
the comfort and social activities
of those visitors whom the city
government placed in the best
guest suites at $40 Fifth avenue.
Well-it's an idea.
SIR STORK is poised for a
happy landing at 81 East Ninety
third street. the home of the
junior George F. Bakers-and
may have gifted" the fashion
able couple with a precious
bundle even before you read
these lines.
Mrs. Baker, the former
Frances Drexel Mum, is a
of Charles A. Mum.
one of the group Of New York
ers now interested in the Miami
race track, Tropical Park. Her
mother, the one time Mary
Aston Paul, as the wife of
Jacques Allez lives in France,
and from what / have heard
finds life there very unpleasant
probably due TO her pro-
u. s. A. sentiments.
Since their marriage several
years ago the grandson and
namesake of the departed head
of New York's First National
Bank, and the one-time Miss
Mum have been active in our
younger married set. Being
blessed with azure blood and
SIS they've had little difficulty
in keeping in the front social
ranks.
Young Mr.. Bakers widowed
mother, Edith Kane Baker is
excited over the impending ar
rival Of the connubial bird az
her elder sons home, just
stones throw from her own pa
latial residence on Carnegie
Hill and there'll be general
rejoicing in the combined
Baker-Kane- Munn-Loew clans.
TO Me. FRANK c. HEND-
ERSON is a marvel of the age.
Nearing his eightieth birth
day, Frank continues TO work
daily principally out at the oil
fields of Texas and Oklahoma.
where he has vast holdings.
During the winter seasons he
commutes between the oil fields
and his Palm Beach villa, via
the air-lanes.
Frank CALAMITY confesseS he
is happiest when pillng up a for.
tune for his Betty"
The HendersonS are giving up
their Park avenue apartment.
h wing acquired a western
ranch.
lis the irony of fate that
Betty" Henderson. today, is on
the crest of the financial wave.
while the family of her former
husband the late Roy Pierce.
ara far from, ttt,, tho pkir,c -