THE PRESIDENCY: Tea for 400

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Bess Wallace Truman was in the thick of the new social season.

In less than a month, the First Lady had I) entertained no Washington newswomen at a White House buffet supper; 2) gone to an ice show in the glittery Iridium Room of Manhattan's St. Regis Hotel; 3) lunched at the exclusive Colony Restaurant with Party-master Elsa Maxwell; 4) attended the opening of the Metropolitan Opera; 5) journeyed to Philadelphia with the President to see the Army-Navy football game.

Last week she was busier than ever. She opened the United Nations' Relief Bazaar and the Christmas Seal campaign in Washington, visited the Good Will Industries workshop (see cut), popped in & out of capital lunches and teas.

Then came the formal opening of the White House season. Instead of a massive state dinner, Mrs. Truman chose to entertain at two teas, one at 4 and one at 5 p.m. All members of Congress (and their wives) were invited whose surnames begin with A, B & C (the others will be asked in turn). Ike Eisenhower dropped in, grinned that he had not expected his first day as Chief of Staff to include a party.

Dressed in a simple black afternoon dress with long sleeves, Mrs. Truman headed the reception line in the Red Room of the White House. She greeted all 400 guests with enthusiasm, fumbled nary a name. Introductions over, she worked hard to keep everybody milling in the huge state dining room while a red-coated Marine band played familiar airs. There were high points. A matron squeaked: "My hero!" at the sight of Admiral William D. Leahy; a Texas colonel called Mrs. Tom Connally "Honey," and dozens craned to see Ike Eisenhower.

Everybody declared the party a big success. Bess Truman had made a good start as First Lady.