Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1957-03-05
BY BETTY BEALE


America S most famous host
ess, Perle Mesta, flew in from
Los Angeles to toss a party
last night for the benefit of
Hungarian relief and to open
the new SIS million Sheraton
Hotel here.
1t caused famous stars
from Hollywood and Broad
way to pour into the Quaker
City along with socialites from
Newport. Boston, New York
and Washington.
But with all the glitter
nothing stopped the press in
their tracks like the arrival
of Gwen Cafritz at Perle's
party. It was the first time
in the history Of the Wash
ington hostesses that either
had attended a to-do given
by the other.
Mrs. Mesta was standing in
side the entrance to the town
room, where her guests were
expected for cocktails. She was
wearing a beautiful new Travis
Banton and Marusia gown of
platina satin embroidered with
iridescent sequins. pearls and
crystal. with a matching
green-lined stole around her
shoulders, and about the most
magnificent diamond necklace
ever seen.
Gwen Arrives
She had just pressed Wash
ington Newsman Leslie Car
penter into service as an an
nouncer when Mrs. Morris
Cafritz. dressed in pink satin,
diamonds and white mink stole,
stepped into the room.
Mrs. MeSta, Mrs. CafritZ.'
said Mr.. Carpenter.
Both women touched hands
in an incomplete handclasp
when Mrs. Mesta heard some
one call and turned around
and walked away.
At that point Mrs. Cafritz
dropped her handbag. AS she,
Mr.. Carpenter and an I'M
known gentleman retrieved
the contents, Gwen observed,
isn't this what happens when
I come to a Perle Mesta party?
She walks away and I drop
everything"
The apparent snub was not
a snub, however. Mrs. Mesta
returned. shook Mrs. Cafritz
by the hand and the photogra-
piers had a quick field day.
After that Gwen sashayed out
and headed for the grand ball
room. scene Of Perle's dinner
dance.
Inside the white and gold
ballroom with its sweeping
staircase backdropped by a
sculptured metallic screen. with
its second floor boxes running
the length of two walls
golden candelabra of hurri-
cane lamps f1ickered charm
ingly on every table. There
were orchestra platforms at
either end for Meyer Davis and
Xavier Cugat with a wide
sweep of dance floor between.
That was at 8:45. BY 9:35
the entire dance floor had dis
appeared. In its place were
hastily-set-up tables to take
care Of the unexpected over
flow of 500 guests. The hotel
had prepared for 800 but 1900
came.
The discrepancy had obvi-
ously resulted from the issu-
ing Of two sets of invitations.
Mrs. Mesta did the inviting
for her party. but the Sheraton
Corp. also sent out handsome
parchment invitations for the
whole three-day celebration.
Notables There
Scattered throughout the
room we're such notables as
Ginger Rogers. lovely in a
decollette pink satin gown
with greatcoat to match; Zsa
Zsa Gabor in a sweeping white
lace creation with red sash.
Coincidence Martha Raye,
famed Designer Valentino in
a dramatic. ong-sleeved cling
ing black dress with ropes OF
pearls around her neck and a
black velvet fez-like hat on
her head.
New Jerseys handsome Gov.
Meyner was there with his
bride, the former Helen
Stevenson. They had left
Adlai Stevenson a few hours
earlier in Princeton they said.
The Meyners dined at the
same table with Pennsylvania's
Adjutant General and Mrs.
Anthony Drexel Biddle who
had stood in the receiving line
with Mrs. Mesta; Pakistan
Ambassador and Nine. Ali.