The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1903-12-27
MRS. ROOSEVELT'S
CHRISTMAS PARTY.
Entertained Children of All Of
fetal Personages Stationed at
Capital at White House.
FIVE HUNDRED WERE PRESENT
Festivities Included Stage Per
Torrance, Formal Dinner,
Dance and Huge Tree
Loaded With Gifts
and Favors.

Washington, Dec. 26-Five hundred chill
dren, youthful sons and daughters of Cab
met members, Senators, Representatives,
army and navy officers, members of the
Diplomatic Corps, Assistant Secretaries Of
departments and Washington newspaper
correspondents were the guests between
and $50 o'clock this afternoon of Mrs.
Roosevelt at the White House. The recep-
ton began at 4 o'clock, Mrs. Roosevelt
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 greens
adorned the reception-hall and parlors. the
green being enlivened here and there with
splashes Of the flaming red or poinsettia
blossoms and rich crimson of American
beauty roses. The scene was rendered bril-
liant by hundreds of electric lights.
Tho children were formed in line in the
east terrace. Thence they marched up the
main staircase and across the reception
hall to the entrance to 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 McCawley of
the Marine Corps. and by her was given a
cordial greeting. Each was then pre-
sented with a programme and a souvenir
of the party in the form of badge favor
bearing Mrs. Roosevelt's compliments and
good wishes for the season. The little
guests were conducted through the Green
Room to the East Room by officers of the
army, navy and Marine Corps in full uni
form, and there seated.
The entertainment began with must
cal programme rendered by concert
company of Chicago. This part of the
programme took up nearly an hour, the
children being enthusiastic in their ap-
plause.
Just before the first number of the must
cal programme was rendered, President
Roosevelt came in, taking an inconspicu-
Gus seat near the entrance. He entered
thoroughly into the spirit Of the occasion
and enjoyed every minute of the enter
tainment.
The idea of the party was Mrs. Roose-
velt's and she worked out all of the de-
tails. Scores or the children were af-
forded an opportunity to 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 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 and lighted by scores
of parti-colored electric lights.
The great dining table was decore ted
with pinsetta blossoms and holly and
lighted by silver candelabra capped with
red shades. 1t was heared with all such
goodies as appealed particularly to the
heart of q child. The ice cream was
nodded into the form of Santa Claus, ard
pretty favors were provided for each
guest.
After the refreshments had been served
the young people returned to the East
Room. There the older ones among them
danced to the music of the Marine Band
while the little ones played games In the
parlors. The attentions shown the chill
dren 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
considerate hostess.