Evening star., 1952-06-03
Society News:
Candidates Greeted
At Political Supper
Toft, Russell, Kerr, Horin1on Feted
By Martha ROLnfree c1nd cYYv SY,ivf1k
By Betty BeoIe

ny Martina Rountr'
By Betty Beole
A stellar political "show" was
staged last evening in the form
Of a gay party given by Martha
Rountree and Lawrence Spivak,
co-producers Of meet the Press" +"
Heralded as an old fashioned
political supper in honor of all
the presidential candidates, it
drew four Of the men who have
tossed their hats into the ring
Senators Taft. Russell, and Kerr
and Mutual Security Administra-
tor Averell Hartman.
It was held in the garden of
Miss Rountree's new home at 1900
Cleveland avenue, where verbal
darts from opposing camps and
high praise from ecstatic followers
filled the air from 6 until after 10
in the evening.
Still in uniform yesterday, Gen.
Eisenhower regretted the invita-
ton on the basis that 1t would be
showing favoritism to meet with
only part Of the press at this stage
Of events. Had he accepted. he
would have been surrounded by
the city's outstanding news col
umnists, photographers from press
services and local newspapers, TV
film cameramen and Life maga-
zine photographers.
The other candidates posed and
spoke for them and obligingly took
their stands besides the amusing
signs and props with which the
garden was decorated. Camera
bulbs flashed frequently, music
from Devron's three-piece rowing
orchestra rang out with gayety in
one spot after another and the
whole atmosphere was carnival
like, charged with that extra ex-
element that comes at campaign
time.
Bors for Condidotes
Green and white striped tents
covered the bars in the four cor
ners Of the street-level garden.
First one on the right, as guests
walked In from the sidewalk,
was labeled Republican Revival
Stand" where Scotch only was
served. At the far end on the
right was the Bourbon bar, plainly
inscribed Democrats Refueling
Station" In between them were
strung picture posters of every
candidate, and in the middle a
bookcase filled with monographs
on each Of the gentlemen running
for President, under a sign 'Fic-
tion for Every One. Contemporary
Authors" ''Tin cups for pix pur-
poses" were also available since
anything but a cup in the hands
Of some one photographed is easily
taken or mistaken for something
evil and intoxicating when repro
duced in a news picture. The other
two bars were labeled "Dixiecrats,
Mint for Fun" where juleps were
served, and Independents, those
who don't care" where martins
were to be had for the asking.
Up the slope toward the house
on the highest level of all was
"kerr's Corner" where a bowl of
pink lemonade was at the disposal
OF the non-drinkers such as
Senator Kerr and his wife, Sec
retary Of the Interior Oscar
Chapman. Ed Folliard and others.
1t was nearby on this upper
terrace that Senator Taft was
standing when Senator Jim Duff.
the strong Eisenhower backer.
looked up and said, Bob, this is
one time in your campaign when
you're on high ground" Senator
Taft smiled.
Speaker Sam Rayburn was
there and his No. backer, Sena-
tor Mike Monroney, who is push
Ing the Speaker as a compromise
candidate. Looking around at all
the political posters strung up
one Of the guests said, Sans pic
ture ought to be up" That's a
good way to be beat" mumbled
the Speaker.
Kerr and Russell Pose
Democratic Candidates Kerr
and Russell posed together drink
ing Coca Colas. while Dick RUS
sell told Bob Kerr he ought to
go over to Baltimore and speak at
the Junior Chamber Of Commerce
forum as he had just done. Al
thousand people turn out for
them, he told him.
The bachelor Senator from
Georgia was the only candidate
who had his fortune told In the
fortune telling tent by Jean Dix
on. Inside the tent hung this
sign. Have you a PAST? Are you
hopeful at PRESENT? Can you
face the FUTURE? Beware, Ma
dame Jean tells ALL" Whatever it
was that Madame Jean told SEN
ator Russell. he wouldn't say, but
she was visibly disturbed about
1t the rest Of the evening. Jean
Dixon is the woman who predicted
President Truman's last victory.
Minister Perle Mesta arrived
Just before the company Of two
or three hundred progressed to
another terrace where tables were
set up under marques and supper
was being served from q long
buffet. A lot of well-known figures
queued up for hot dogs, ham
burgers, turkey. ham, salad and
dessert.
There was Secretary Of Com
merce Sawyer, no longer in the
steel business: Minority Leader Of \
the House Joe Martin, Secretary
0f the Arrnv Ero nh poea Cnnra II