Evening star., 1946-01-06
By Hope Ridines Miller

y
This Is the time to anticipate. the
social future Of Washington In the
light Of the prewar past. While
everybody seems to be remembering
the 40 best" everything of the year
just over, or trying to liveup to that
long line Of resolutions made only
the past Tuesday, a modern Cas-
sandra with social conciousness
would find more entertaining pur-
suit. She would be looking ahead to
the Washington that will be, in view
Of the Washington that was. And
among the indications that imply
more than meets the eye, she might
mote some of the following:
I Capital hostesses are beginning to
realize that the problem Of finding
enough extra men" to fill their din
ner guest lists may soon prove Sc
rious again. The numerous attractive,
unattached men in uniform who
were such boon to social Washing
ton the last four years are leaving by
the dozens. Within a few months,
that old ratio of three femmes to
one male will be re-established in
the Nations Capital. The wisest
women around these parts are re-
newing their friendships with the
bachelors and widowers who were
here before the war and expect to
remain indefinitely.
Countless persons all over Wash
tngton are asking how they can
wangle an invitation to one of those
White House teas. Time was when
calling cards auspiciously dropped
at 1900 Pennsylvania avenue invari-
ably brought a reply in the form of
a bid to tea with the First Lady, but
In those days official and diplomatic
iWashingtonians were received at
State receptions. The latter haven't
yet worked their way back onto the
Capital calendar, so grade A nota-
shles, along with o few personal
friends Of the Truman, comprise
most Of the company for the after
noon functions.
Everybody in town seems to be
reading, or re-reading that won-
derful book, "Revielle in Washing
ton" (Margaret Leech) Just by way
Of reminding themselves that the
recent wartime confusion on the
Potomac (and the current postwar
results) were as nothing compared
with the seemingly hopeless Capt.
tai muddle from 1860 to 1865. The
optimistic thought being, of course,
that If the town worked its way out
of that miserable maze, it certainly
can do it again.
And finally, since the first peace
time holiday calendar in four years
was jammed to the last minute,
and gives no signs of letting up from
now until Lent, many Capital new
corners, along with lot of old
timers are boning up on some of the
long-accepted social "Donts" of
Washington.
What Are the 'Don'ts."
At recent tea a Senator's wife
observed that knowledge of the
"Don'ts" mentioned in Anne Squire's
Social Washington" had saved her
from many embarrassing situations.
The hostess, who happened to be a
cabinet lady, hauled out the little
tome in question, and soon her
entire tea company was discussing
the 'Don'ts" they considered most
important in the book. Here are
the ones upon which they all agreed:
!. Don't fail to answer invitations
promptly, and don't suggest bringing
substitute guests to dinner.
2. Don't, when wishing to give a
dinner in, honor Of some one, sug-
.gest more than two dates, lest the
invitation take the nature of a
hold-up.
;. Don't keep prompt dinner guests
waiting for tardy ones. When the