The Washington times., 1902-01-01
PRESIDENT AND
PEOPLE MEET.
Great Democratic Social
Function Of the Year,
new YEAR DAY At WHITE HOUSE.
ARRANGEMENTS Complete for the
Reception of Officials, Dignitaries,
and People by the Chief Execu-
tive-AIrs. Roosevelt to Assist,
But Not Join in Handshaking.


President Roosevelt will be closer to the
public today than he has been at any
previous time since tragic fate made nm
Chief Executive of the United States. At
the New Year reception at the White
, House he will receive the seasons greet
ings Of the people of the United States.
Cabinet officers diplomats, jurists, ma
tional Legislators. officers of the army ana
navy, Government officials, and veterans
OF three wars will be received before the
reception of citizens begins at l2:5o
o'clock .. m.
Great Feature of the Day.
The last feature, however, is what gives
the greatest White House function of the
year its democratic tone and renders 1t
characteristic Of the nation itself.
Fair skies are the prediction of the
Weather Bureau. Indications are that the
reception will be more generally attended
by the public than any in history. The
first New Year Day reception held by a
new President always attracts an unusual
" large number. and in President Roose-
welt the people feel considerably more in
terest than they have in the case Of his
predecessors.
No nnudshulsinG for Mrs. Roosevelt.
There will be little deviation in the
formaIity of The occasion from the New
Year receptions held in former years. I'm
less Mrs Roosevelt alters a custom. khich
she has adopted since becoming mistress
of the White House, there will be no hand
shaking by either she or the ladies OF the
Cabinet Mrs. Roosevelt at the social
functions she has already given, where
large number of guests were present. has
dispensed with proniiscuous handshaking.
She carries bouquet, and instead of OK
tending her palm to those VINO greet her
she bows pleasantly While no announce
ment has been made of the fact the Presi-
dent will undoubtedly Bhake hands with
each of his callers
House Arrangements Complete.
The arrangements at the White House
were practically cJn.piete yesterday after
noon. In the East Room the heavy yellow
carpet, which had been taken UP, was
again laid over the covering Of linen crash
placed on the floor in preparation for the
ball to be given to Miss Alice Roosevelt
on Friday night.
Col. Theodore A. Bingham, Superin
tendent of Public Buildings and Grounds.
who oversees all the formal social func-
tions at the White House. has been busy
at the Mansion for the past day or so
with careful eye for possible mistakes.
Cabinet officers VIII BE First.
The Cabinet officers are the first persons
who will be received by the President.
They will greet the President and Mrs.
Roosevelt on the second floor of the White
House, as will the people who have been
invited to stand at the rear OF the re-
ceiving line. Then promptly at II o'clock
the President and the party will move
downstairs. blare of bugles from the
bands stationed in the vestibule and the
lower hall will announce the approach OF
the President. who will descend the
broad stairway, together with Mrs. Roose-
welt, and Will take MS position at the head
of the receiving line in the Blue Parlor
Beside him Mrs. Roosevelt will take her
place, and then will come the Cabinet off,
order OF their rank
Introductions by Col. Bingham
Col. Theodore 4. Bingham will make the
introductions. He will be assisted in gem
eral surveillance of the callers by Major
Charles McCawley of the Marine Corps
and Capt. Gilmore of the ARTILLERY Corps.
Each will wear dress uniform
The diplomats. who always dress in the
most brilliant uniform of their rank. will
be the first TO greet the President after
he has taken his place. They will extend
their compliments in the order of their
rank. In the cases where rank is equal
the rule Of seniority of service at Wash
ington will apply.
Method of Departure.
After greeting the President. Mrs
Roosevelt, and the Cabinet officers the
callers will move on through the Blue
Parlor into the Red Parlor and thence
into the East Room. and when they de-
sire viii leave the White House by way
of a bridge constructed from one of the
windows Of the lower hall to the sidewalk
The order of precedence "a regards the
callers is set forth in the official pro-
Eramme.
Chief WiII.ic's Precautions
Chief Wilkie OF the Secret Service is
taking every possible precaution against
accidents or assaults u2on the President
\ large number of Secret Service men
will be scattered throughout the crowd of
visitors. Each person will be closely
scanned upon approaching the President.
Immediately after the reception at the
White House the Cabinet officers will de