Royal Harvest

In New York, the society of Ward McAllister's Four Hundred has become emulsified in cafe society's bottle. In Washington, the society of the cave-dwellers was sacrificed on the time clock of a U.S. Government that became too busy for measured elegance. But in Chicago, high society has survived almost intact from the days when Mrs. Potter Palmer led the elite around by her pearl rope necklace. Even in Chicago something has been lacking. Not in years--not, in fact, since the Palmer days of the '905--has Chicago had an acknowledged queen of society.

The lack bothered Athlyn Deshais, a conscientious newshen who runs the Chicago Daily News's lively society page. Last month Athlyn decided that, since no bona fide doyenne was in sight, she had better arrange to have one chosen--by democratic referendum, of course. Just before Christmas she sent out ballots to 2,000 pedigreed socialites, to elect a new queen. Society reacted with murmurs of pleasure and squeals of outrage. Just about 50% of Athlyn's 2,000 sent in their ballots. Day after day, the News breathlessly reported the latest tabulations. Thirty-five of Chicago's hostesses were nominated, and even Mammy Yokum, of Dogpatch, received six votes. The old Chicago wheat-pit spirit raised its head. Laughed International Harvester Director Chauncey McCormick: "I've been offering a dollar apiece for votes for my wife, but I heard Ed Cudahy is offering $1.25, so I'm upping my offer to $1.50."

This week Athlyn Deshais announced the name of the winner and new queen: Mrs. Chauncey McCormick. Sighed Mrs. McCormick: "I'm completely overcome." Certainly the new queen was eminently qualified for her job. Marion McCormick, a grandmother in her 60s, is a third-generation Chicagoan, and one of the richest women in the U.S. She gives impeccable dinners, served on gold plate and fine Lowestoft china. She is a cousin by marriage of Bertie McCormick. She owns fabulous emeralds, pearls and old masters, presides over a luxurious Lake View Avenue apartment, a Wheaton suburban estate, a mansion at Seal Harbor, Me. and another in Miami. She is a generous benefactor of the Chicago Art Institute (her husband Chauncey is president), and a bountiful worker for many charities. The queen, nearly everybody in Chicago agreed, was just right. After all, Athlyn explained, "Mrs. McCormick was a Deering, you know. She's farm implement on both sides."

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