Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-11-19
To Abolish Receiving Line.

aAotHel revolutionary proposition is to
abolish the receiving line at the White
House receptions. AS far back as the time
of Dolly Madison it has been the custom of
the Presidents wife to be supported on
these occasions by the wives of her hus-
bands official advisers and as you know.
people who have had the honor to receive
invitations have passed in review before a
row of DANES who greeted them with forced
smiles, and sometimes made remarks that
could not be heard, and tried to look as
though they were not tired and bored.
The first person inside the door of the
blue room is the master of ceremonies who
asks your name and repeats it to the Presi-
dent; the President repeats it to his wife,
who stands at his right, and she whispers it
to the wife of the Secretary of State, who
stands next to her. Then it is passed down
the line to the wife OF the Secretary of
Commerce and Labor, who defends the left
flank. If you happen to be a stranger, and
your name is Jones, they will call you Rob-
inSon before you get by, but that is acci-
dental The ladies are very gracious and
and cordial, but in the confusion, it is i'm
possible for them to hear or speak correct
ly, and there is no use in their trying to
do 1t, anyhow.
The President has at last determined to
abolish the absurd custom, and hereafter
at public, as well as private receptions he
and Mrs. Roosevelt will receive alone, while
the wives of the cabinet officials, with other
ladies of distinction, will be invited to oc-
cupy the blue room with them and assist
in entertaining their guests, just as they
would do in private life.
The social program for the White House
this winter is intended to be entertaining
rather than stupid, to have less formality
and less standing around. The invitation
lists will be shorter and the entertainments
more frequent. The Roosevelts have al
ready introduced music and refreshments,
both of which are innovations that are
gratefully appreciated.
There has been a good deal of inquiry as
to the Presidents plan of treating office
holders; whether he intends to make re-
movals and select new men, and whether he
expects officials in high places to send In
their designations on the 4th of March
There is no occasion for concern on the part
of competent and faithful public servants
There will be no more removals than have
occurred in the last three years, since the
death of President Mckinley The exeeu-
tive branch of the government will pass the
4th of March without the slightest bump or
agitation. There may be changes in the
cabinet and in the diplomatic corps. and,
as a matter of courtesy. 1t will be expected
that the higher officials will tender their
designations as usual, In order to relieve
the President of any embarrassment If he
desires to make change. But, generally
speaking, they will be retained until their
commissions have expired In the latter
case the question of reappointment will be
decided entirely upon the merits of the of
fetal and the circumstances.
No man holding commission as post
master or collector, or any other Office,
should consider the President unaer obii-