February 26, 1933

Although the entry list is expected to be the largest on record, three stand-bys of contract-bridge competition will be absent when the Eastern bridge championship events open tomorrow afternoon at the Hotel Roosevelt. One of them, Ely Culbertson, has temporarily abandoned bridge in favor of a motion-picture career, and another, Sidney S. Lenz, has dropped competition for the time being.

THE election of a Democratic President is always an extraordinary event. It has been seventy-two years since the feeble and confused Buchanan surrendered his office to Lincoln and retired to his Pennsylvania estate of Wheatland. In that long period there have been only two Democratic Presidents. But it must be admitted by every one that they made their sixteen years count with remarkable power.

OSCAR HAMMERSTEIN 2d departed yesterday on the Majestic, bound for London, Berlin, Vienna -- and almost anywhere else. He explained before he left that rehearsals for the English production of "Music in the Air" should begin in about a month, but the management has not as yet been decided.

PARIS, Feb. 24 -- President-elect Roosevelt's action in receiving Ambassador Paul Claudel and having a frank talk with him has been the central event of this week's French history. It was also almost the only cheering event in what has been a somewhat gloomy week.