Evening star., 1953-06-24
Mrs. Truman
Greets Old
Friends Here
By Frances Lide

It was like"old times yesterday
when Mrs. Harry S. Truman was
entertained at a tea at the
Woman's National Democratic
Club.
Miss Margaret Truman was on
hand to share honors with her
mother. And those who went
down the line to shake hands
with the former first lady in
cluded many who were prominent
in official circles during her
husbands presidency.
Looking relaxed and rested,
Mrs. Truman was obviously
delighted to see so many Wash
ington friends again.
Asked by one newspaper
woman, do you miss us?" she
replied heartily. II certainly do"
But when another wanted to
know if she were coming back
to Washington, she retorted
gaily, What for?"
Receiving with the honor
guests were the officers of the
club. headed by the wife Of the
former Secretary of the Interior.
Mrs. Oscar L. Chapman, who is
president Of the organization.
Others from the Truman cab
met circle who were present in
cluded Mrs. Charles F. Brannan,
a former president of the club;
Mrs. Dean Acheson, Mrs. w.
Averell Hartman and Mrs. John
L.. Sullivan.
Another former First Lady.
Mrs. Woodrow Wilson, attended
the tea. AS she shook hands
with the honor guest, Mrs. VIII
son commented on how well Mrs.
Truman looked. And more than
one guest remarked during the
afternoon that she had never
seemed happier.
Mrs. Truman wore a blue lace
dress and her smiling face was
framed by a broad-brimmed
straw hat with a shallow crown.
Pinned to her shoulder was q
white orchid corsage.
Margaret Truman wore dress
of old-fashioned silk bombazine
white, except for a tiny brown
stripe and brown velvet trim.
Her close-f1tting hat Of nylon
braid was trimmed with flowers
and she carried a matching bag.
With characteristic informal
ity, she stepped from the receiv-
ing line at one point to greet
some of her friends from the
press.
When she leaves here Friday
or Saturday, she will return to
New York where she is working
this summer, preparing for a fall
concert tour. She has about IA
engagements that will take her
into Canada, to the West Coast
and Hawaii from October
through December, she ex-
planned.
Asked. if she would continue
her guest appearances on TV.
she said that NBC had renewed
her contract.
How does it feel not to have
q secret service escort?
"Just lovely!" Miss Truman
declared emphatically.
Does she miss the White
House?
IT should say I DON'T" she
exclaimed.
The Truman family'S present
Washington visit does not in
clude sightseeing. despite car
toon in The Evening. Star on
Monday portraying her father
as a tourist. she continued with
q laugh.
"Why go sightseeing in place
where you have lived 10 years?"
she joked. "It hasn't changed
that much since January has it?"
Yesterdays tea was limited to
members of the club. but about
300 attended. Il was explained
that several men on hand were
associate members.
Mrs. James M. Helm, former
White House social secretary,
came from Boyce. Va, where she
Is spending the summer, for the
occasion.
Mrs. Joseph Short, who served
as a White House correspond
ence secretary after the death of
her husband. who was press Sec
retary, and Mrs. Roger Tubby,
wife of former press secretary,
were others attending.
Still others included Mrs. o.
Max Gardner, Mrs. Herbert H.
Lehman, Mrs. Mike Mansfield,
Mrs. Clarence Cannon, Mrs. Paul
Porter, Mrs. Roy North, Mrs. Vim
cent Burke. Mrs. John L. Nc
MILAN and Mrs. Claude Pepper.
Mrs. j. Borden Hartman, for
mer Minister to Norway, and