A SPECTATOR'S NOTEBOOK
THE fact that Mr. Churchill is bringing a libel action against the author and publishers of an American book called Dinner at the White House is of some interest. I have no idea what the alleged libel is, and the general merits of the book can have nothing to do with it one way or the other. It is a singular volume. The writer, Louis Adamic, was, to his obvious (and very natural) gratification invited to dinner at the White House with President Roosevelt, and unexpectedly found Mr. Churchill among the guests. The function is ingenuously described down to the smallest detail, from the moment when Mr. and Mrs. Adamic, having failed to get acccm- modation in any Washington Hotel, changed into evening dress in the "washroom" at the Union Station, till they got back to North Philadelphia at 5 a.m. the morning after. The record of what Mr. Churchill is reported as saying to Mr. Adamic I will leave alone ; that may concern the libel ; what Mr. Adamic said to Mr. Churchill is illuminating. When they were introduced he said " Gocd evening, Mr. Prime Minister." As they went down to dinner he said " It's a privilege to meet you, Mr. Prime Minister." Then followed a few halting sentences about a previous book by Mr. Adamic, of which Mr. Churchill had read part. As the party broke off Mr. Adamic remarked " I want to say again, Mr. Prime Minister, that it was a privilege to meet you." Mr. Churchill strangely omitted to reply " Same to you " or words to any such effect. Then Mrs. Adamic went to a concert with Mrs. Roosevelt and Mr. Churchill stayed where he was with F.D.R.
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