The Indianapolis journal., 1904-05-15
1HE matter OF entertaining several

thousand persons of all degrees
OF Importance and of divers ma
lSxISyI tionalities is problem placed be-
fore his social advisers by the
strenuous President, who holds the record
for entertaining more people in his brief
sojourn at the White House than any of
his predecessors, not excepting those who
have enjoyed a two-term residence in the
picturesque mansion on Pennsylvania ave-
nue.. To meet the increased demands an
addition to the White House was needed
and obtained.
Never before in the history OF the coun-
try have the facilities for carrying on the
social life of the Presidents home been
adequate to their requirements. and since
it is one of the Presidents characteristics
TO use what lies at his hand, it goes with
out saying that every inch of space has
been utilized. An innovation OF the Roose-
welt regime is the using of the state dining
room for entertainments, aside from the
regular set dinners, known as state din
ners. and which. by an unwritten law. are
hedged about with all the stately ceremony
appertaining to old world court.
Not infrequently President Roosevelt
brings several of his official callers through
the west terrace and up TO the dining
room, where upon the famous mahogany
board. capable of seating fourteen guests.
is served luncheon, for which the White
House steward and the White House cook
and assistant cook are responsible. 1t is
for these luncheons that the present Presi-
dent Is noted, and guests who have had
the privilege of sharing the presidential
hospitality after this fashion are considered
honored, since it is altogether a matter of
personal preference that dictates the NAM
ing of the guests. At the formal affairs of
state quite a different mode of selecting
the guests Is followed, in fact the exlgen-
cies of official and diplomatic life are re-
he list nm lCh
slons, which are attended by a formidable
display Of official red tape
A TICKLISH MATTER.
In the first place the making up of the
dummy" is an important step in the prep
aration of all the big dinners at the White
House. To the assistant secretary of the
President is intrusted this ticklish matter
and to facilitate his labors he has placed
before him pasteboard plan of the great
horseshoe table along the edges of which
are Sits corresponding to the number of
covers TO be laid. Into these Sits alter
nately are thrust cards bearing the names
OF guests. After placing the names of the
chief officials, say OF the diplomatic corps,
If 1T be the diplomatic dinner that is in
preparation, or OF the Supreme Court il
the judiciary of the Nation are to be en-
tertained, and then the alternate slips come
up for consideration. These represent the
women guests and not less careful in the
placing of the ladies than in the placing
of the high dignitaries of the state must
the assistant secretary be. Every one in Of
ncial life has decided views as TO his own
particular place on the official roster of
precedence and sharing those views inva-
riaoly are the women attached to the sew
eral households. There must ALWAYS ia
two honor guests a man and woman
and contrary to the usage OF civilian life
the stranger is not necessarily the honor
guest In diplomatic circles the ambassa-
dor longest in residence at Washington en-
joys the distinction of first place, in the
judiciary circle the chief Justice OF the Su-
preme Court claims the honor. but in all
cases and on all occasions when the Presi-
dent and his wife present. by right of
the high office OF the chief executive he and
she are accorded first honors.
AT his own table the President always
occupies special chair much higher as
10 the back and more ornate as to work.
manshlp than any of his guests. This
chalr Is always placed directly opposite
room and opposite TO IL stands a chair sim
| liar. but smaller. which is reserved for the
| nrst lady OF the land. The seats to the
| right Of these two chairs are held as seats
or honor and are pre-empted by the high
est d1gnitary present and his lady. Many
official tempers are ruffied il this little
| game OF solitaire played by the assistant
secretary Is not properly carried out and
| ic correspondence has been necessary TO
| adjust the difficulty engendered by an H.
considered seating of the guests at the
White House. Again the matter OF prece-
dence rules in the little matter of entering
| the room. At the state dinners the Presi-
| dent. upon whose arm rests the hand of
| the chief guests lady, enters first: the
| Presidents lady, with the chief Official
bringing up the rear At official receptions
| the guests are presented to the President
in the order OF their precedence. the am
| bassadorial contingent led by the dean of
| the corps and followed by the several lega-