Evening star., 1953-02-17
Society News
Bv Katherine M. Brooks

Oy N0ObOuUSS SNts ObOONS
Protocol and precedence were
missing from the reception given
yesterday afternoon by the Con-
gressional Club honoring the
President and Mrs. Eisenhower.
The honor guests arrived prompt
ly on the stroke Of $3.50 when
they were expected and after
leaving their wraps, were escort
ed upstairs to the ballroom
where they stood for much more
than an hour shaking hands with
nearly TOO members Of the club,
the Supreme Court, the cabinet
and the Congress.
The Philippine Ambassador
and Mrs. Carlos Romulo stood
o very long time on the stairs
waiting their turn In the line.
In fact, it was so long that as
they neared the aide making the
introductionS Mrs. Romulo was
resting one foot and stood on the
other alternately. She was in
black faille frock and platinum
mink scarf with a white felt nat
becomingly tilted to one side.
Mrs. Romulo became a mem
ber of the club when her hus-
band was the resident commits
sioner in the lower House of
Congress and like many others
has retained her membership.
First Lody;s Costume
Mrs. Eisenhower, looking hap
py and smiling, was dressed in
an olive green taffeta dress, the
plated skirt street length and
the bodice having becoming v
neckline. About her throat she
wore pearls and rhinestones
matching her stud earrings. Her
short gloves matched her ban
deau hat which was studded
with jets and had narrow jet
fringeS about the edge. Her
white orchids were tucked in
the narrow belt.
Mrs. Lawrence Smith. presi-
dent of the club escorted the
President up the graceful stair
way to the ballroom and Rep
resentative Smith, eScorting Mrs.
Eisenhower, was just behind
them. When they reached the
ballroom, already crowded with
members and their guests, the
Marine Band Orchestra played
Hail to the Chief" from the
northeast corner Of the room.
Pleasant Greetings
Both the President and Mrs.
Eisenhower had CHEEKY greet
ing for each guest. many OF
them addressed by name and not
a few by their given name or
nickname. Neither the President
nor Mrs. Eisenhower seemed to
tire or lose their interest and
pleasure in greeting each one.
When the last guest had COM
pleted the handShaking down
the long receiving line, the Pres
ident and Mrs. Eisenhower then
walked past the line shaking
hands with each. At the end OF
the line a small tea table was
laid and here Mrs. Eisenhower
sat down for a cup Of tea with
the officers of the club.
The President preferred to
stand and had an opportunity
for a bit of conversation with
congressional leaders. He had
quite an earnest talk with SEN
ator William F. Knowland who
leaned over the red rope to speak
with the Chief Executive. What
ever the subject the President
was emphatic in what he was
saying. and very serious.
Later, President Eisenhower
stood in a group which included
Senator John w. Bricker and
their talk was on farm prices.
Mrs. Eisenhower took tea and
little cakes but the President did
not indulge in any refreshments
and after ten minutes or more
he nodded to Mrs. Eisenhower
who smiled back and immedi-
ately began to make her adieux.
The President and Mrs. Eisen-
hover started toward the stair
way and as they reached the
doorway the Marine Band again
played "Hail to the Chief. At
the first strains Of the music
the President wheeled about to
face the band and stood at at
tention.
AS the last note died the
President raised his hand and
arm in the familiar gesture and
called out Good night" then
turned to Mrs. Eisenhower and
started down the stairs.
Vice President and Mrs. Nixon
were not as prompt as was ex-
pected but when they came they
were escorted to the ballroom
and went down the line immedi-
ately. This was the only sign Of
protocol and may have been due
to the fact that Mrs. Nixon was
expected to be at the tea table.
Her service there was inter-