Evening journal., 1903-01-02
BIC RECEPTION
At WHITE HOUSE
One Of Most Brilliant Events
in Washington's Recent
Social History
NEARLY 1000 PERSONS ATTENDED

Washington, Jan. 2. - President
Roosevelt's new years reception was
one OF the most brilliant events in
Washingtons recent social history.
All callers we're afforded the opportu-
nifty Of greeting the president and Mrs.
Roosevelt and exchanging with them
the compliments oflthe new year. No
distinctions were made except such as
were rendered necessary in the pres
ervation of order, and the greetings
extended, TO all-high and low, rich
and poor-were alike cordial and sin
cere.
Yesterday the general public for the
first time had an opportunity to see
the widely heralded improvements in
the White House - Improvements
which when completed will have cost
about 100000. In addition to a de-
sire, personally to wish the president
and Mrs. Roosevelt happy new year,
hundreds of persons were attracted
to the reception by wish to see the
White House in its new and handsome
interior finish and furnishing.
An hour before the time for the for
NAL reception to begin the mansion
was aglow with myriads of electric
lights. To the brilliance Of the great
crystal chandeliers and the splendor
of the new furnishings was added the
beauty of the floral decorations.
which, although few as compared with
those of previous new years recep-
ttoro - 4J,a VubFfo IIovco x.yora q =.
ranged with consummate art and ef-
fectiyeness. Towering palms of rare
varieties were placed in inches about
the vestibule, main corridor and stair
case. Two great square masses Of
American and English holly were ar
ranged between the vestibule and the
main corridor, affording a brilliant and
effectk n background for the handsome
scarlf Uniforms of the Marine Band,
60 pieces strong, which occupied tiers
of seats in the vestibule.
Promptly at IL o'clock the trumpet
ers of the Marine Band sounded a
fanfare announcing the approach Of the
president and Mrs. Roosevelt and the
immediate receiving party. President
Roosevelt, with Mrs. Roosevelt on his
arm, descended the main staircase,
and, passing across the main corridor
and through the green room, entered
, the blue room. where the guests were
received. Following them came tho
members of the cabinet and their ac-
companylng ladies. Between the two
sections Of the receiving party lane
was formed by cordons Of old gold vel
vet Through this lane the callers
passed from the red room, proceeding
through the green room into the east
room, and thence down the staircase
into the east terrace and passing into
the street opposite the west entrance OF
the treasury. The president was in
excellent spirits, and Mrs. Roosevelt
never seemed happier or more gra-
cious. The president was attired in a
frock suit and the only dash of color
about his attire was a tie of graylst
tint.
The members of the diplomatic corps
were received first. with the German
ambassador at the head OF the line
Then followed the supreme court jus
tices, senators, and representatives in
congress. Following the congressional
came the military contingent, com
posed of officers Of the United States
army, navy and marine corps. Th'
gold-bedecked full dress of the army
officers, the bullion-laden garb of tn,
naval officers and the gorgeous attire
of the marine corps officers, the las
more conspicuous for color than colder
embellishments, presented a spectacle
no whit less brilliant than that of thu
diplomatic corps.
At / o'clock the reception to citizens
generally began. For hours hundred
Of people Of all ages, colors, sexes, ant
conditions had been waiting in line 4
greet the president and to receive hi
greeting. The line passed slowl.
through the main entrance of tn
White House, across the corridors, int
the red room and thence past the pres
ident and party in the blue room. Ac
cording to program the reception
should have ended at o'clock, 5u
the president directed that all person
in line should be afforded an opportu
nifty Of entering the White House an
being received. The total number Q
callers fell a trife short of 1000. TIL
president extended a cordial greetin
and handshalxe to each one. He wa
particularly interested in the babies
many of whom were carried by thel
parents. At the conclusion of the re
ception the president manifested littl
fatigue, and expressed himself as bein
delighted at the opportunity he had en-
joyed of meeting so many of hi
friends.
Palma Sends Roosevelt Greetings.
Washington, Jan. minister Gu
saia. of the Cuban legation, yesterda