Evening star., 1946-01-30

Reception Precedes Formal Program
Mauy Prominent Guests Attend
Dinner for Hollywood Stars
By Marearef Hart.
Society Editor.

Nine-year-old Margaret O'Brier
and white haired Fleet Admiral
Chester w. Nimitz stole the show
at the brilliant Roosevelt Birthday
dinner at the Mayfiower Hotel last
night.
Spotlghts played about the great
ballroom, the rays picking out ths
stars of screen, radio and stage al
well as top ranking military figures
But when the lights focused on the
place of the dainty child star al
the head table she could not be
seen. 1t was fitting that this tai
ented and loyable little girl should
have many flowers about her bu,
unfortunate from the standpoint oi
those who wanted to see her. Wher
her name was called by Brig. Gen
Albert L. Cox, however, Admiral
Nimitz took the situation in hand
He lifted the child and stood her or
the table by the great mound OF
spring flowers that had completely
hidden her from view.
The audience went wild with
cheers and applause. Margaret sat
down and could not be persuaded to
take another bow. The fact that
she is very thoughtful child has
been expressed on all sides since her
arrival here. Last night undoubt ,
|edly she did not wish to have ly
more of the limelight than the other
members of the Hollywood troupe.
Introduced twice. first informally
and then by Gen. Cox, Admiral
Nimitz received a hero's ovation.
Guests rose as in one unit to pay
respect to him and the applause
was great.
Rising tributes and spontaneous
applause also greeted Commandant
of the Marine Corps Alexander A.
Vandegrift, Commanding General,
Army Ground Forces, Jacob l..
Devers and Coast Guard Comman-
dant Joseph F. Farley.
Hollywood sent its glamour de-
partment to the Nations Capital to
help raise funds for the battle
against polio. Washington, in turn,
assembled its own particular brand
of glamour to welcome the scintil-
lating stars. Cabinet officers, other
top officials and diplomats were
there. The Congress was well rep
resented, as were the services and
residential circles.
Seldom are so many outstanding
personalities found under the same
roof, and never have so many celeb
rites milled around in the long
corridor of the Mayflower. There
was the usual crowding. the CUSTOM
ary complaints about the seating
but it was all in the
nights fun. Guests remembered
that they were helping worthy
cause.-The fight against infantile
paralysis 1t didn't matter If a curt
committee member pushed but firm
ly as you made your way down
the reception line to shake the hand
Of the star. You were being pushed.
but you were perhaps helping to
make 1t possible for some child to
walk.
The ballroom was in festive dress
last night. Spring flowers bios
somed on the tables, great ferns
formed screens in the boxes and a
huge portrait of Franklin Delano
Roosevelt was hung in the center
box. Enhancing the scene were the
beautiful gowns and accessories
worn by the ladies. Orchids were
everywhere, in many cases the cor
sages forming the only color note of
smart all-black costumes.
Black continues to lead the FASH
ion parade. 1t definitely predomi-
mated in the gowns of the smartly
attired last night.
A very becoming black ensemble
was worn by Sonora de Bianchi,
who. with her husband, the Ambas-