Prologue Magazine

The International Civil Aeronautics Conference of 1928

A Prince and a "Lady" of Uncertain Status

Winter 2003, Vol. 35, No. 4

Prince Mozaffar Mirza Firouz, head of the Persian delegation to the conference, caused a minor flap by his choice of "a certain Mrs. Bauer of Chicago" to be his delegation's technical representative. Although the exact nature of Mrs. Bauer's technical expertise was not stated, "in view of unofficial and private rumors regarding the status of Mrs. Bauer," the State Department representatives at the conference required a note from the Persian minister before they would honor the prince's request that she be given official status. Since no such note was forthcoming, the prince tried bullying lower level officials to provide Mrs. Bauer tickets to the conference, still without success. On the evening of the twelfth, he insinuated himself into the company of Mrs. MacCracken and made his way into the White House, heading toward the President's reception accompanied by Mrs. Bauer.

Myron Hofer, of the State Department, spotted them as they made their way to meet the Coolidges and alerted the chief of protocol, Mr. Dunn. The latter spoke with Mrs. MacCracken, who emphatically assured him she had no responsibility for Mrs. Bauer. Rather than cause an incident at the White House, Dunn allowed the prince and his companion to pass, vowing to take the matter up with the Persian minister. Hofer was so incensed at the prince's behavior that he wrote a note to Dunn, stating, "I can see no excuse for Firouz taking an American lady (?) to the White House and passing her on his official admission card." (The question mark was supplied by Hofer.)


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