Ladies' Party

In traipsing off to Boston on Christmas Eve (see col. 2), Mrs. Roosevelt completed a schedule of holiday duties more than equal to those of the President. On that day alone, besides the community tree lighting, she helped the Central Union Mission distribute toys to 600 children assembled in a theatre, took part in the President's party for the White House office staff, another party in the East room for the White Household staff, and attended a Christmas party of the Salvation Army. Her activities during the rest of the week were every bit as strenuous. Most notable of them was her "Gridiron Widows" party, which she instituted three years ago for newshens and grass widows of all those attending the Gridiron Dinner.

This regular event, kept going by her active and admiring set of women friends, bears the clear stamp of Eleanor Roosevelt's character. Ever willing to take an active part in everything, she herself puts on an act, although even mention of its subject matter is forbidden. More characteristic still, she is in no way offended by personal references.

This year's Gridiron Widows party was one of the most intimate shows ever seen at the White House. Not counting a burlesque of burlesque in which a plump newshen did a strip tease, another in red flannel underwear did a fan dance, there was a scene in which one of the characters suggested that the Roosevelts "must like people; they marry so many of them," in which was outlined (but not played) a scene between Mrs. Roosevelt and Queen Mary, discussing their sons' prospective marriages.

The big act of the show amiably bore out the theme of Anglo-American lese majesty. Called "Romeo and Juliet, 1936," it was played in three scenes, in each of which a stepladder served as the balcony. Scene I was between Juliet du Pont upon the ladder and Romeo Roosevelt below. Scene II between John Boettiger in Juliet's cap upon the ladder and Wooer William Randolph Hearst below. Scene III showed Mrs. Simpson (Helen Essary, wife of the Baltimore Sun's chief Washington correspondent) with Edward in Golden Crown (Newshen Elizabeth Mae Craig, correspondent for New England papers) below her and a black archiepiscopal figure (Martha Strayer, feature writer of the Washington News) intervening (see cut). All this being off the record, Ambassador Ronald Lindsay could not register a protest even though the parody took place in the White House.

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