Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1902-01-01
THE PRESIDENTS
FIRST RECEPTION.
4 Ambassadors, Army and Navy Officers Pay
Their Respects All Charmed With Mrs.
Roosevelts Gracious Manner.

n washington, Jan. 1.--President ROO"
o,o,t held his first New Years reeep-
tion at the White House today, anu
surrounded by the presidential anu oap
3net circle, he greeted officials III every
Rbranch Of public life, as well as great
concourse Of people from private me-
brhe scene within the historic mansion
S,yas one OF extraordinary beauty ana
5briniancy, and there was an aoueu
Tfouch OF interest in the occasion TINS
fyear from the fact that this was the
nrst official fuustion OF magnitude with
6Mr. Roosevelt and his interesting faml-
tly as the central figures
N The day was ideal for the observance
|og the time-honored custom OF making
4 New Years calls. The sun shone from
In cloudless sky. the air was cool ana
fbracing, and a light easterly wind inaue
fthe White House flags stand out proud
Hin. Early In the day an army OF deco
4rators and florists took possession OF
&the mansion and transformed the state
Nv corridors and parlors into bowers OF
&pallns, potted plants and sweet smell
Hing flowers, The official program OF the
day fixed II o'clock as the time for
4 opening the reception with the calls OF
4 the members OF the cabinet and the
i foreign representatives, but some time
4 before that hour the approaches leading
up 10 the marble portico were nlled
with carriages, while long lines or PEG"
pie took position at the outer gates IN
order 10 have points Of vantage when
the public reception began
A BRILLIANT SCENE,
The interior OF the mansion was
aglow with q myriad Of electric lights
and to this was added the beauty OF
profuslon OF flowers, plants and vines,
banked about the nantes and draped
from chandeliers and walls. The floral
decorations reached their height OF eff
fectIyeness In the east room. Here the
great crystal chandeliers were looped
with smilax, while the recesses OF the
chamber were banked with poinsetta
blossoms, begonias and tall ferns. In
the red and blue pariors there was the
same effective disposition Of flowers
and plants, the flaming red Of the poin-
In the outer corridor, Just within the
entrance the band OF the engineer
corps, U, s. A.. 60 strong, In their bril-
liant uniforms, were ranged In tiers,
while further along In the conservatory
was the full membership of the Marine
band IN bright red uniforms, While
the musicians were taking their places,
the Roosevelt children were having a
ma a fh., a
one OF them could be heard playing the
Kangaroo March" In the private
apartments OF the presidential family.
Shortly before IL o'clock the throngs
Of distinguished callers began to as
Remble in the main corridor. First
came the members OF the diplomatic
corps In their rich court uniforms re-
tplendent In medals and decorations
u was a most cosmopolitan throng with
the oriental silks OF the Chinese minis
ter and his suite. the red fez OF the
Turkish ambassador and the more mod
ern but equally gorgeous attire OF the
japanese and Coreans conspicuous
amid the groups OF diplomatists. The
members OF the corps gathered In the
red parlor preparatory TO being pre-
scented to the President and those about
him.
PRESIDENT ANNOUNCED.
Exactly at II o'clock fanfare from
The three trumpeters stationed at the
further end OF the main corridor, an
bounced tine approach OF the President
ard the receiving party. At the same
moment President and Mrs. Roosevelt
tppoa, ed at the upper landing Of tie
corridor and arm in arm descended the
stairway while the marine band broke
Into Hail 70 the Chief" The President
bowed as he passed along, frequently
giving CHEEKY response to the New
Years greetings extended to him from
those IN the line. Mrs. Roosevelt held
IN her hand a superb bouquet Of pink
orchids, She wore gown of white 80 :
tin heavily pleated with lace yoke and
diamond ornaments, and In her hair
sparked a diamond tiara, The Presi-
dent WAS In the conventional black
irock coat, He had no boutonniere and
The grey striped black scarf was the
only hit OF color In his attire Follow
Ing the President and wife came The
members OF the cabinet and their wi 'cs
secretary Of State and Mrs. Hay, Sec
rotary OF the Navy and Mrs. Long Post
master-6eneral and Mrs Smith. Attor-
rey-General and Mrs. Knox, Secretary
Of The Interior and Mrs. Hitchcock,
secretary OF Agriculture and Miss VII
son, and Secretary and Mrs. Cortelyor.
The residential party took mp their
station IN the blue parIor With the Pres
icent and Mrs. Roosevelt Immediately
alongside the entrance ready TO grasp
NE hands ~ callers as they were an
bounced The cabinet ladies' formed a
long line extending from Mrs. Soose-
velt g. the further end OF the room.
while hack OF the receiving line Setc
grouped the members Of the cabinet