Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1903-12-28
5OOLITTLE ONES
The Guests of Mrs. Roosevelt
at White House
They Romp and Play Throughout
House to Delight Hostess.
The President an Interested Spectator
for Short Time.

Washington, Dec. 27.-F'ive hundred
children. youthful sons and daughters
of the members of the cabinet, sena-
tors. representatives, members OF the
Diplomatic corps, assistant secretaries
of departments and Washington news
Daper correspondents, were the guests
between and $50 clock, Saturday af-
ternoon, of President Roosevelt at the
White House. The reception began at
a O'Clock, Mrs. Roosevelt being assisted
nv the ladies of the cabinet circle and
Mrs. Loeb Mrs. CoWles and Miss Hag
ner.
The White House had been decorated
beautifully for this Christmas party.
Great palms and Christmas greens
adorned the reception hall and pariors,
the green being enlivened here ana
there with splashes of the flaming red
of noinsetta blossoms and American
Beauty roses. The scene was rendered
brilliant by hundreds of electric lights.
The children were formed III line in
the east terrace. They marched up the
main staircase and across the recep-
ton hall to the entrance of the green
room, whore they were received by
their hostess quite rs il they were
grown un. Each child was introduced
to Mrs. Roosevelt by Maj. Charles Nc
CaWley of the marine CORPS and by her
was given q cordial greeting.
Each was presented program ana
souvenir of the party i'll the form OF
q badge favor, bearing Mrs. Roosevelt
compliments and good wishes OF 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.
The entertainment began with Il nlu-
steal program rendered by toney's
Boys Concert Co., oi Chicago, with
Henry Il. Roney as director.
This part al the program consumed
nearly an hour. the Children being en-
thusiaattc in their manifestation OF
cOmmcudation.
Jus, before the first number of the
musical program was rendered, PFeSi-
dent Roosevelt entered the room, tax
ing an inconspicuous position near the
Green room entrance. He entered
thoroughly into the spirit of the occa-
sion and enjoyed every minute of The
entertainment. The idea of the party
however. was wholly that of Mrs
Epoervnlt ana she worked out al! Of The
details. Scores of tho children were
afforded an opportunity to greet the
President and wish him a Happy New
Year"
At the conclusion of the concert tbs
youthful guests We're escorted to the
state dining-room to music by the
Marine Band. which WAS stationed il
the reception hall. The dining-roon
WAS handsomely decorated
On a table at the north end was
beautiful Christmas tree. loaded witt
favors and lighted by scores OF parti
colored electric lights The great dim
ing table WIS decorated with poisonetts
blossoms and holly and lighted by sill
Yer candelabr@ capped with Christina
rcd shades. Ii was heaped with al
such Christmas goodies as appeal t,
the heart Of a child. The ice cream
Was nodded into the form of SAINT;
Claus and pretty faVOrS We're provided
for each guest
After the refreshments had beef
served tn" Young people returned to tn
East room. There the older among then
danced. while the younger ones playe,
games III the parlorS. The attention
shown the children by Mrs. Roosevelt
and her assistants ana by the numer
Gus attendants We're so delicate an,
graceful that all left the White Hous;
praising their thoughtful and consid
pr1tp hostess