The Montgomery advertiser., 1905-01-03
RECEPTION AT
 WHITE HOUSE Brilliant Official Function
 In Washington. PRESIDENT ENTERTAINs
Great Crowd of officials and
 General Public.
At Night MT. Roosevelt and His Party Went to the Theatre and Were :, Received With Great
 Enthusiasm.

Washington, Jan. 2.-oncial and resident Washington today extended new, years greetings to the President and Mrs. Roosevelt at the White House. The event-brilliant and spec tacular as the Presidents new years reception always are-marked the formal opening of the social season of 1905.
 The reception was characterized by true Democracy. The portals of the White House swung wide for all the world. All were welcome to the his- torical mansion and afforded the op- portunity to greet both the President and Mrs. Roosevelt Thousands em- braced this opportunity. By the Presi-i dents direction no absolute limit of time was placed on reception. The re- ception of guests began shortly after Il o'clock. An hour or more before that time, the line of callers began to form.
 As the callers entered the White House they were greeted by a burst of melody from the marine band, sixty pieces strong, stationed in the great vestibule under the baton of Lieuten- ant SantIeman; blaze of color and a breath of perfume from beautiful floral decorations; and a scene Of splendor, the brilliance of which was enhanced by the soft glow from myriads of shad- ed electric lights.
 The floral decorations, while not elaborate. were more profuse than what have characterized recent White House receptions. Rare varieties of palms were disposed effectively about the vestibule and main corridor, while in the great rectangular basins between the vestibule and the corridor palms and ferns formed a striking background for the scarlet uniforms of the band In the state dining room. In the east room and in the red, blue and green parlors, rare cut-fowers were arranged with consummhte art and effectiveness, the delicate colors of lilies and orchids being accentuated here and there by 8 blaze of flaming red or splash of vivid green.
 The beginning of the reception was announced by a flourish sounded by trumpeters of the Marine band, sta- tioned near the foot of the main stair case. The fanfare signalized the ap- proach of the President. Preceded by his military aide, Colonel Charles s. Cromwell, and his naval aide, Com mander Cameron McR. Winslow, Presi-
 
 welt, descended the stairs, followed by the members of the cabinet and their ladies, constituting the immediate re- ceiving party. The distinguished party crossed the corridor, and passing through the green parlor, entered the blue parlor, where the President and Mrs. Roosevelt received their guests. The guests invited to be behind the line" already had assembled in the blue parlor.
 When the President and Mrs Roose- welt had greeted formally the members of the cabinet, among whom Secretary Taft, Secretary Morton, Secretary Met calf and Postmaster General wynne were participating for the first time in 6 new years reception as Presidents advisers, they extended cordial greet ings to others in the room who had as- sembled to assist them. Both the President and Mrs. Roosevelt were in excellent spirits and joined immediate ly in conversation with their guests. The President was attired in a regular frock suit, and as Is usual wore a turn down collar and dark four-inhand tie.
 Mrs. Roosevelt was attired becoming ly in yellow silk and velvet and wore litle jewelry. The gowns of the other ladies of the immediate receiving party were: Mrs. Hay, pale gray chif- ion moire over silk with lace and dia- monds: Mrs. Shaw. white wool crepe, trimmed with lace and chiffon; Mrs. Taft, blue chiffon. trimmed with lace; Mrs. Wynne, white lace, shaded with light blue and light pink: Mrs. Morton, white applique lace; Mrs. Hitchcock, heliotrope velvet; Mrs. Metcalf, pale green satin trimmed with lace.
 The receiving party were arranged in arc of a circle in the south end of the blue parIor facing the party behind the line. Between the two sections was a lane formed by old gold silk velvet cord through which the guests passed from the red parlor to the green parlor. Near the entrance to the red room the President and Mrs. Roose- welt stood. Directly in the door stood a secret service officer who closely scrutinized every person who passed in line. Every precaution was taken throughout to assure the safety of the President and others. an extra detail of police besides civil and secret ser vice officers being on duty. Nobody was permitted to carry handkerchiefS or muffiers in his hands and nobody was permitted to pass along the line with hands in his pockets.
 After they had paid their respects to the President, the members of the cabinet repaired to their homes, where each had arranged receptions on an elaborate scale.
 Secretary Wilson and Attorney-Gen- eral Moody received informally.
 Admiral Dewey and Mathematician eral Chaffee. Chief of Stan, likewise kept open house.
 President Roosevelt closed his New Years day by attending the perform ance of Madame Schumann Henk and her company of the comic opera Loves Lottery" at the New Theatre tonight. The President. together with Miss Belle Hagner. Miss Ethel Roose- welt, Miss Cornelia Landon, Mime. Dro- let and Master Philip Roosevelt occu- pied the Presidential box. while Mas ters Theodore Roosevelt. .Jr., Kermit Roosevelt. George Russell, Jack Roosa- welt and George Roosevelt were seated in the orchestra chairs just below the Presidential box. The President on his entrance into the theatre was given ap enthusiastic welcome. He with all his party frequently applauded the sing ing.