The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-12-27

Reception to Sons and Daughters
of Members of Cabinet, Con-
gressmen and Others.
CONCERT AND DANCE
Christmas Tree Loaded with Fa-
vors and Ice Cream Nodded in
Santa Claus Form.

WASHINGTON, Dec 26.-Five hundred
children, youthful sons and daughters Of
members of the Cabinet, Senators. Repre-
sentatives, army and navy officers, mem
bers Of the diplomatic corps, assistant sec
retaries of departments and Washington
newspaper correspondents were the guests
between and $50 o'clock this afternoon of
Mrs. Roosevelt at the White House. The
reception began at o'clock, Mrs Roose-
Welt being assisted by the ladies of the
Cabinet circle and Mrs. Loeb, Mrs Cowles
and Miss Hagner.
The White House had been decorated
beautifully for this Christmas party. Great
palms and Christmas green's adorned the
reception hall and parlOrs, the green being
enlivened here and there with splashes of
the flaming red Of pOinsetta bracts and
American Beauty roses. The scene was
rendered brilliant by hundreds OF electric
lights.
The children were formed in line in the
east terrace. Thence they marched up the
main staircase and across the reception
hall TO the entrance Of the green room,
where they were received by their hostess,
quite as If they were grown-ups. Each
child was introduced to Mrs. Roosevelt by
Major Charles l.. McCawley, of the ma
rine corps, and by her was given a cordial
greeting. Each was then presented with a
programme and souvenir of the party
! in the form of badge bearing Mrs Roose-
| velts compliments and good wishes for
the season. The little guests were con-
Quoted drought the green to the east room
| by officers of the army, navy and marine
corps in full uniform and there seated
The entertainment began with musical
programme rendered by "Roneys Boys
| b. Roney as director. This part of the pro-
gramme consumed nearly an hour. the
| children being enthusiastic in their mani
| festation of commentator.
Just before the first number on the must
| cal programme was rendered, President
| Roosevelt entered the room, taking an in
! conspicuous seat near the green room en-
/ trance. He entered thoroughly into the
/ spirit of the occasion and enjoyed every
! minute of the entertainment. The idea OF
| the party, however, was wholly that of
| Mrs Roosevelt and she worked out all of
/ the details Scores of the children were
afforded opportunity 10 greet the Presi-
/ dent and to wish him a happy New Year.
At the conclusion of the concert, the
| youthful guests were escorted to the state
dining room to the music of the marine
i band, which was stationed In the reception
/ hall The dining room was handsomely
/ decorated. On table at the north end
was beautiful Christmas tree, loaded
/ with favors anG lighted by scores Of parti-
| colored electric lights. The great dining
| table was decorated with poinsettia bracts
and holly and lighted by silver can
| delabra capped with Christmas red shades.
! 1t was heaped with all such Christmas
goodies appeal particularly to the heart
| of a child. The ice cream was nodded
! into the form of Santa Claus and pretty
favors were provided for each guest.
After the refreshments had been served,
/ the young people returned to the east
room. The older among them danced to
/ the music of the marine band, while the
| younger ones played games in the parlor.
| The attentions shown the children by Mrs.
/ Roosevelt and her assistants and by the
| numerous attendants were so delicate and
! graceful that the joy of not a single one
| was marred and all left the White House
praising their thoughtful and considerable
| hostess.