The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1905-01-02
Portals Of the White House
Opened to the World.
Washington Extends New Years
Greetings to the President.
SOCIAL SEASON OPENS.
Thousands Paid Their Respects
to the Executive.
People We're Allowed to Come
Without Time Limit.

Washington, Jan. 2.-Omcial and resi-
dent Washington today extended New
Years greetings to the president and
Mrs Roosevelt at the White House.
The event-brilliant and spectacular as
the New Years receptions always are
marked the formal opening of the So
cial season of 1905
The reception was characterized by
true democracy. The portals of the
White House swung wide for all the
world. All were welcomed to the his
toric mansion and afforded the oppoE-
tunlty personally to greet both the
president apd Mrs. Roosevelt. Thou
sands embraced this opportunity.
By the presidents direction no abso-
Lutte limit Of time was placed on the
reception. The reception Of guests be-
gan shortly after II o'clock The sky
was overcast and early in the day Is
sprinlxled a little. The air, however
was as balmy as that of April and it
was no hardship for those who stood in
line awaiting their turn to pass the re-
ceiVing party. AS the callers entered
the White House they were greeted by
a burst of melody from the Marine
great vestibule under the baton Of
Lieutenant Santleman; a blaze of color
and a breath of perfume from beautiful
floral decorations and a scene of splen-
dor, the brilIiancy of which was en-
hanced by the soft glow from rnyriads
of shaded electric lights.
The floral decorations, while not
elaborate, were more profuse than have
characterized recent White House re-
ceptions. Rare varieties of palms were
disposed effectively about the vestibule
and main corridor, while in the state
dining room, in the east room and IN
the red blue and green parlors, rare
cut flowers were arranged with con-
surnmate art and effectiveness.
The beginning of the reception was
announced by a flourish of trumpets
of the marine band stationed near the
foot Of the staircase. The fanfare sig
nailed the approach Of the president.
Preceded by his military aide, Colonel
Charles 5. BrOmWell, and his naval
aide, Commander Cameron MGR. Wins
low, President Roosevelt escorting Mrs.
Roosevelt, descended the stairs follow
ed by members of tha cabinet and their
ladies, constituting the immediate re-
cefving party. The distinguished party
crossed the corridor and entered the
blue parlor, where the president and
MIS- Roosevelt received their guests
When the president and Mrs. RoOse-
welt had greeted formally the
members of the cabinet, among
whom Secretary Taft. Secretary Nor
ton, Secretary Aetcalf and Postmaster
General Wynne were participating for
the first time in a New Years recep-
ton they extended cordial greetings to
others in the room who had assembled
to assist them.
Both the President and Mrs Roosevelt
were in excellent spirits and Joined ami
matedly III converse ton with their guests
The president was attired in regulation
frock suit, and, as usual, wore q turn
down collar and q dark four-in-hand tie.
The receiving party was arranged in the
arc of a circle in the south end of the
blue parlor, facing the party behind the
line. Between The two sections was 3
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 Pres
ident and Mrs. Roosevelt stood. Directly
in the door stood a secret service officer,
who closely scrutinized every person who
passed in line. Every precautiOn was ta-
ken throughout the house to insure the
safety of the president and others, an ex-
ira detail of police, besides several secret
officers, being on duty. Nobody was per
rnitted to carry handxerchiefs or nlufflerS
in his hands and nobody was permitted to
pass s10ng the line with hands in his
pockets.