Evening star., 1952-07-27
Exclusively Yours
Both Conventions Had Same Atmosphere,
Setting, Etc., but Yet Were Different
By Betty BeoIe

CEIICAGO.-The United States
can return to normal, but who will
ever forget the week that has
just passed. Compared to the
Democrats. the Republican Con-
vention was orderly and element
ary.
There was the same frenzy, the
same almost total sleeplessness,
the same constant motion against
the same setting. and the same
familiar press and broadcasting
faces.
Yet somehow everything was
different.
There was less activity in the
cocktail lounges and night spots
and there were fewer convention
parties last week than there were
during the Republican set-to. Yet
despite all this, the Democrats
had a more fascinating time for
several reaSons-beginning with
Perle's party.
Weeks High Spot.
Mrs. Mesta,s extravaganza,
which packed in almost 500 guests
and was reputed to have cost $1O,-
600. was neither better nor worse
than her previous convention
parties, the hostess said. But for
the guests it was the high spot OF
the week. Everybody from all op-
posing sides mixed together
laughed together and had the
time Of their lives before flying
manfully at each others throats
the next day.
This was the first year that the
Republicans were left out OF
Perle's party calendar. In the past
she has always attended both con-
ventions and tossed a memorable
to-do at each. because the United
States Minister to Luxembourg
explains-"I have just as many
friends among the Republicans a.
do among the Democrats"
She deliberately skipped her Re.
publican soiree this year. however
because as a good friend of the
Eisenhowers. it wouldn't have
looked right.
Secret of Success.
What makes Madame Minister.
party better than most anybody
else's? Advance organization anc
constant supervision throughout
First, she organizes the food. 81
talked to the chef three different
times" she said. ITO make a party
a success the food must be excel.
lent and there must be plenty o1
it."
Secondly, she thinks imported
champagne always adds a certain
sparkle to a. gathering and the
presence of bar does just the Oh.
posite. All drinks the 500 guest,
consumed from 1920 Tuesda,
night until S the next mornine
were served on trays.
Thirdly, the orchestra must bt
sympathetic to the hostess" con.
tinued Mrs. Mesta. who believe.
IN complimenting the music while
asking for more pep. IT never
stop working with the orchestrs
throughout an evening"" says thu
lady who knows how to sustain
party interest and tempo.
A Sixth Sense.
"And then" she SAID, IT thinl
I have a sixth sense. If in a .fal
corner of the Mayfair Room tn,
lother night, something wasn't JUS
right, I could feel it even though
III couldn't see it."
Which of the two parties con.
ventions during past years has sh'
found the most entertaining? 9TH,
Democratic" answered Democrati,
Mrs. Mesta. They always ge
into a good fight. I just love tn,
Il Democrats" she grinned.
Hall Was Focus.
The Democrats also added in
terest to their stay by centerin,
almost all attention In the Con.
vention Hall. Chairman Franl
Mckinney had sent out notices t,
the delegates to be in their seat
on time, calling their attention
to the fact that they were il
Chicago to do q job, not to hav'
fun. The Illinois State group