Debs

In Manhattan, rival society newshawks combed morgues, thumbed notebooks, hounded social secretaries to see who could compile the longest list of 1934-35 debutantes. Out in front was Hearst's American which found 355 in Greater New York. To accompany his fat list Hearst Columnist Maury Henry Biddle Paul ("Cholly Knickerbocker") wrote an earnest, last-minute message, complete with his annual "Don't's," to the mothers of Park Avenue. Excerpts:

"Socially acclaimed ladies with authenticated pedigrees may think they know EVERYTHING about society.

"But if they have never launched a daughter down the social ways they. . . are not cognizant of the . . . hidden dangers, the petty jealousies, the vicious feuds, etc.

" 'Bringing out' a daughter is serious business.

"There is no end of wire-pulling to be clone if daughter is to trip the light fantastic at the Autumn Ball, up in Tuxedo Park, the Junior Assemblies, etc.

"Invitations must be cleverly angled for, and mama's pride must be put away in mothballs until the end of daughter's debutante year.

"Enthusiasm is responsible for ruining more social careers than have been blighted by the rattling of family skeletons.

"So I say to the debutantes of 1934-35, read carefully your 'Don't's,' memorize them, keep them always in mind."

Some of Cholly Knickerbocker's "Don't's":

"DON'T allow debutantes you invite to your daughter's parties to bring 'extra men' with them. They usually arrive with 'bounders.'

"DON'T let your daughter offend the older ladies by dancing in the newer, unladylike positions.

"DON'T fail to keep the Grade C and Grade D debutantes at a safe distance."

Bite

In New Orleans, the Supreme Court of Louisiana, rejecting the opinion of a lower court that "parents who desire the blessings of the patter of little feet must be responsible for the damage done by little hands or, as in the case here, by little teeth," ruled that Mr. & Mrs. Bruce Butterworth were not liable for the action of their 3-year-old daughter Eva Camille who, in a "moment of rage," bit the arm of her Negro nurse.

Nap

In Oakland, Calif., aroused from a nap by firemen who told her the house was on fire, old Mrs. Nettie Nelson advised them to put it out, dropped off to sleep.

Fox

In Groton, Mass., members of the Groton Hunt Club complained that all autumn they have been riding after a fox which, as soon as it is cornered, turns and chases their hounds.

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