The San Francisco call., 1903-12-27
WHITE HOUSE
SCENE OF JOY
Mrs. Roosevelt Entertains the
Children of the Diplomatic
Corps at Christmas Festival
THE PRESIDENT ATTENDS
Executive Mansion Is Beauti-
fully Decorated and Juvenile
Pleasures Are UnreStrained

WASHINGTON, Dec. 26.-Five hun
dred children, youthful sons and daugh-
tiers of members of the Cabinet, Sena-
tors, Representatives, army and navy
officers, members of the Diplomatic
Corps, assistant secretaries of depart
ments and Washington newspaper cor
respondents. were the guests. between
4 and o'clock, of Mrs. Roosevelt at
the White House. The reception began
at 4 o'clock, Mrs. Roosevelt being as
sisted by the ladies of the Cabinet and
Miss Hagner.
The White House had been decorated
beautifully for this Christmas party.
Great palms and Christmas greens
adorned the reception hall and parlors,
the green being enlivened here and
there with splashes Of the flaming red
Of poinsettia blossoms and American
Beauty roses. The scene was rendered
brilliant by hundreds Of electric lights.
The children were formed in line near
the staircase Thence they marched up
the staircase to the entrance of the
green room, where they were received
by their hostess quite as if they were
grown up. Each child was introduced
to Mrs. Roosevelt by Major Charles Nc
Cawley Of the Marine Corps, and by her
was given a cordial greeting. Each
was then presented with a programme
and a souvenir of the party in the form
of a badge-favor bearing Mrs. Roose-
velt's compliments and good wishes for
the seaSon. The little guests were con-
Quoted through the green room to the
east room by officers Of the army, navy
and marine corps in full uniform and
there seated.
The entertainment began with a mu-
sical programme rendered by "Roney's
Boys" Concert Company Of Chicago.
This part of the programme consumed
nearly an hour, the children being en-
thusiastic in their commendation.
Just before the first number on the
musical programme was rendered
President Roosevelt entered the room,
taking an inconspicuous seat near the
green room entrance. He entered thor
oughly into the spirit Of the occasion
and enjoyed every minute of the enter
tainment. The idea of the party, how
ever, was wholly that OF Mrs. Roose-
velt, and she worked out all the details.
Scores of the children were afforded an
opportunity to greet the President and
to wish him "a happy new year"
At the conclusion Of the concert the
youthful guests We're escorted TO the
state dining-room to the music of the
Marine Band, which was stationed in
the reception hall The dining room
was handsomely decorated. On a table
at the north end was a beautiful Christ
mas tree loaded with favors and lighted
by scores Of parti-colored electric lights.
The great dininG-room was decorated
with poinsettia blossoms and holly and
lighted by silve- candelabra capped
with red shades. It was heaped with
all such Christi goodies as appeal
particularly to the heart of child. The
icecream 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 parlors. The attentions
shown the children by Mrs. Roosevelt
and her assistants and by the numer-
Gus 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
considerate hostess.