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Show American "Equality" Rules of precedence are doubtless necessary in connection with official of-ficial social functions in Washington, Washing-ton, in order to avoid confusion in placing the various dignitaries present. pres-ent. But the hair-splitting which attends the pracical application of such rules is to say the least a musing. The turmoil which has attended efforts to determine the social status stat-us of Mrs. Gann, half-sister and official of-ficial hostess of Vice-President Curtis, Cur-tis, is an illustration of how ridiculous ridic-ulous people can make themselves upon slight provocation. The infusion in-fusion which has arisen from this situation still exists, with little prospect pros-pect of being allayed. But the question of where Mrs. Gann should sit at official dinners Is not the only perplexing problem I . '.vh:ch exists in Washington social circles. In many instances various vari-ous officials may not attend the same dinner with other individuals or groups, because it has never been decided which is entitled to precedence prece-dence at the table. This has been; explained in a recent book dealing j with such matters, which advises: "Do not a.sk the chief justice and an ambassador to the same dinner, bt-cau.se there is some dispute as to which outranks the other." And for the same reason, "do not ask justices of the Supreme Court and i the ministers of a foreign country to the same dinner," and "do not ask the speaker of the House and the president pro tern of the Senate Sen-ate to the same dinner." All of which illustrates the delightful de-lightful spirit of America "equality" "equal-ity" which pervades Washington social life in high official circles. |