Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-01-01
STANDING IN LINE
Many Waited Hours to See
the President.
THE CITIZEN CALLERS
BEGAN TO ASSEMBLE BEFORE 10
O'CLOCK THIS MORNING.
Watched the Brilliantly Dressed Diplo-
mats and Handsomely Uniformed
Military Officers.

orally. Not only in the official set, but at
hundreds Of private residences open house
was kept during the afternoon. Public re-
ceptions were held at the homes Of Secre-
tary of War Root, Attorney General Knox.
Postmaster General Payne. Secretary
Hitchcock. Secretary Wilson and Secretary
Cortelyou. Large numbers. representing
all phases of Washington society. attended
these functions, and the cabinet ladies
were assisted by long receiving lines. com
posed mostly Of ladies of army and navy
and resident circles. Secretary Moody, the
bachelor member OF the cabinet, spent
most Of the day as a guest of Secretary
and Mrs. Root All the government de-
partments were closed Practically all of
the business houses were also closed. The
chief place of interest was, of course. the
White House.
The pleasan. weather induced the unoffl-
cial callers at the White House to begin
forming in line at the northwest gate on
Pennsylvania avenue before 10 O'Clock IN
the morning thereby ensuing a walt or at
least three hours for the first persons In
line. An hour and half later the crowd
was closely packed as far back as the north
entrance of the War Department and was
rapidly increasing.
An alarm Of fire sent several fire engines
and trucks skurrying westward on Penn
sylvania avenue just before noon. and the
large crowd waiting admission to the
grounds momentarily had something to in
terest them. The apparatus returned in
short time. the fire evidently having been
slight.
For more than hundred years it has
been an unbroken custom of Presidents
of the United States to receive on New
Year day all officials of the government
located In Washington and such citizens as
might care to pay their respects to the
nations chief magistrate. In addition TO
citizens of the United States members of
the diplomatic corps always embrace the
opportunity personally to extend to the
President their good wishes and the
greetings of their governments.
The reception of the President on New
Year day is thoroughly democratic. That
of today was notably so. No distinctions
Of rank or class were made, except such
as were rendered necessary by due re-
spect for order.
Diplomats Magnificent Display.
Eleven o'clock was the hour flxed for
the beginning Of the reception. For an
half hour before that time carriages con-
tanning members Of the diplomatic corps
rolled up to the southern entrance Of the
White House. All were attlred in mag
niflcent court costumes or handsome mill
tary or naval uniforms, and with sparki-
ing epaulettes and gistening swords, pre-
scented a gorgeous spectacle.
Among the representatives of the nations
of the world 1t was noticed that there was
one absentee. Colombia, one of this coun-
trys sister republics to the south, was not
represented at the reception. In view of
the present relations between the United
Stats and the government of Colombia, an
absence of a representative OF the South
American republi: was noted instantly. In
deed among some of the diplomats 1t was
regarded as significant. Gen. Rafael Reyes
the minister Of Colombia in this country
on a special mission, did not attend the
reception lest, 1T Is understood, his presence
at the White House might be misconstrued
by his PEOPLE. He therefore had begged to
be excused Dr. Herran, the Colombian
charge d'affairec. was detained at his resi-
dence by bronchial affection.
The reception of members of Congress
began at IL 80 o'clock. Comparatively few
were in attendance. many of the sena-
tors and representatives have not returned
yet from their holiday visits to their homes.
A Gallant Spectacle.
Respondent in full dress uniforms, richly
adorned with gold lace. with measured
tread and clanking swords, the military
contingent followed the congressman. This
line was made up of officers. active and re-
tired. of tine army, navy and marine corps
and the District Of Columbia National
Guard. For the first time at a reception
the army was led by officers of the general
staff. Lieutenant General Young, who last
year, as major general, and in the absence
Of General Miles, who was on a tour of duty
in the far east. was the senior officer in
Washington, led the line, today again oc-
cupied that position, wearing the three
stars and the title of chief of staff. Ac-
companying him was General Chaffee now
assistant chief Of staff, who within a few
days will succeed General Young on the
latterS retirement for age. Following them
were officers of the general staff, bureau
chiefs and their assistants. officers on duty
in the vicinity Of Washington and retired
officers. For the first time the new uni
form Of officers Of the army was seen to
its best effect.
Following the army were officers of the
navy. headed by Admiral Dewey, who was
absent from Washington last New Year
day, conducting the winter maneuyers Of
the navy in the Caribbean. Officers Of the
navy were formed in the line according to
seniority. Many active and retired FEAR
admirals We're present In striking con-
army was the plumed chapeau worn by
the men OF the sea. All wore special full
DRESS A
Following the military was the civilian
contingent of the government servfce. IN
Guiding the regents of the Smithsonian IN
St1tutfon, assistant secretaries Of denart
ments. the solicitor general. assistant at
torneys general. assistant pcstmasters rem
eral and the heads Of various government
institutions.
At 1890 o'clock members Of the Society
OF CINCINNATI were received. together with
Order OF the Loyal Legion. the Grand Army
OF the Republic. the Union Veteran Legion.
the Union Veterans Union. the Spanish
Inhabitants Association OF the District of
Columbia.
The Citizens Finally Enter.
At last the long line of citizens, hundreds
OF whom had been waiting in line for sew
eral hours. began to move. The people en-
tered the north door OF the White House,
passed across the vestibule and main COR
ridor. through the red room to the blue
room. where the guests Of the President
and Mrs. Roosevelt were received
Special precautions were taken to insure
the personal safety OF the President NO
person was permitted to approach the
President with his hands in his pockets or
otherwise concealed.
There were ffty-six police officers on
duty in handling the crowds and aiding in
the reception, including Lieutenant Boyle |
and Sergeant Judge. At receptions hereto |
fore there have been sixty men on duty |
CHIEF Wilkie, Chief Clerk Moran and a |
number of secret service officers did duty
within the rooms where the reception was |
taking place. The ffty-six police officers |
were stationed at various points in and out |
OF the grounds and in the bu lding. A num- |
Der of them aided in arranging the various |
bodies OF callers so that they would reach |
their places in line on time.