Evening star., 1948-01-08

matte circle as usual. In 1act MRS.
Tom Clark was the only cabinet
lady I saw and Mrs. Stanley Reed
and Mrs. Harold Burton, the only
wives of Supreme Court Justices.
Mrs. Clark's house guest, Mrs.
Charles Carr Of Los Angeles, and
Mrs. Curtis Shears, her neighbor
at 2101, were with the wife Of the
Attorney General. The French
Ambassador and Nine. Bonnet, the
latter chic in al-black, gave their
undivided attention from front-row
seats in the diplomats gallery; and
Mime. Bruggmann, wife of the Swiss
Minister, likewise took in every word
the President said.
Next to the Presidents own fam
lily, Mr.. and Mrs. Clark Clifford,
VINO sat behind the Trumans, prob
ably had more interest in public
reaction to the address than any
one else. That is, If as one scribe
put it, the Presidents special coun-
sci had hand in writing the
speech.
It was primarily a stag affair on
the floor of the House but three
Congresswomen added a feminine
touch to the scene, Representative
Frances P. Bolton in a smart gray
tailleur, Representative Margaret
Chase Smith, also in gray with
red rose in her lapel, and Repre-
sentative Edith Nourse Rogers in
black, with a cerise scarf that
caught your eye as you peered down
from the gallery. There were fewer
children than usual too, and those
that were there seemed even
younger than those Of former times.
One tot in a red velvet dress kept
her dad busy during the 40-minute
speech, and amused herself with a
red pocketbook which she carried
in grown-up fashion over her shoul-
der.
GIancing further around the room,
1t was noted that most Of the men
preferred to wear maroon ties. Sen
ator Taft, who pencil marked a
CODY of the Presidents speech as he
delivered it, wore figured one with
his gray suit. Secretary Of State
George Marshall, who received an
ovation when entering the House
chamber after the rest of the cabi-
net had filed in, wore a similar
cravat with his gray suit.
The audience listened quietly for
Is minutes without applause and
did nothing more than squirm in
their seats when the President read,
"I recommend lifting the minimum
wage to rs cents an hour"
IT believe that the time has come
for Alaska and Hawaii to be admit
ted to the United States" brought
no audible response, even though
the President dropped his voice and
hesitated for several seconds.
Most of the Senators, Represent
atiYes and their wives had luncheon
at the Capitol before the speech be-
gan. Among them was Senator
William LANCER, who was completely
surrounded by a feminine gather
ing. With him were his daughters,
Mrs. King Irwin and Mrs. Peter
Schaeffer, down from New Jersey
for a visit; Lydia's sister-in-law,
Miss Mary Irwin Miss Gertrude
Louis and Mrs. Robert Webster.
Senator William B. Umstead sat
at the Senators Only" table, where
not even a Senator's wife is per-
mitted to be seated; and Mrs. Taft
and Mrs. Homer Ferguson lunched
together. Senator and Mrs. John L..
Mcclellan had guests at their table,
Mrs. C. Wayland Brooks had few
at hers, and Senator Ralph Edward
Flanders was with still another
group. Senator Arthur Capper had
his sister with him and Mr.. John
Waller of the International Bank
lunched with his brother law,
Mr.. David Lynn, Capitol architect
Late-lunchers included Senator and
Mrs. Dennis Chavez, whose guest
was Mrs. Nicholas de Rachat. At
tractive Mrs William 3. Bankhead,
widow of the former Speaker of the
House also was in the thronp