The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1907-01-02
PRESIDENT SHAKES
HANDS WITH THOUSANDS

Washington, Jan. 2-For the first time
IN "A long period Washington had a real,
old-fashioned New Years Whether IL
was the beautiful weather, or prosperity,
or something else, since the time when
young men used TO make daylight calls
in evening dress and the Washington pa
pers printed page list OF those who
would receive Callers there never has
been anything like such general cele-
bration OF the advent OF new year as
there was yesterday.
First In interest. of course was the re-
ception at the White House, which was
an exceptionally brilliant function, attend
ed, as usual. by all the dignltaries In
Washington and by other persons to tho
number. all told OF $500. President Roose-
welt gave zach of his callers hearty
handshake. There was an unusually large
number OF children I'm line, and all were
greeted cordially by the president
One OF the amusing figures In the line
was n 10-year-old boy, with Boiled hands
and olotheA who carried a pair or roller
skatos thrown over his shoulder. The
president laughed heartily as ne wished
the little fellow a happy New Year.
pretty girl carried great white
, Teddy bear past the receiving party, and
provoked a hearty laugh from ths crowd
gathered in the blue room.
The city is full OF visitors who have
money TO spend and want TO see every
account for the tremendous crowd of
"citizens" that thronged to the White
House 60 shake hands with the president.
and were patient enough TO walt for
hours in the long line OF humanity that
stretched westward from one of the main
gates OF the White House grounds. The
streets In the vicinity OF the White House
and In the fashionable part of the town
were full OF people who saw a lot OF
things TO interest them.
About noon the diplomats, officers OF the
army. the navy and the marine corps.
senators and representatives, judges,
commissioners, members or the cabinet,
former members Of the cabinet and pub
JIG officials generally who had been spe-
cially invited to the president reception
began TO scatter around through the fash
ionabe northwest portion OF the town.
Many went in carriages and motor ears,
but just as many more tempted by the
balmy air and clear sky. walked from
the White House TO their several desti-
nations. Connecticut avenue, the highway
10 the places where fashion has is sway,
was crowded Gr1zled old veterans of the
army and the navy walked in twos and
threes, keeping together for sheer en-
oarrassment's sake. for they found 4
uncomfortable I'm clothes that were Gov
cred with gold lace 90 brave the gaze OF
thousands of curious civt!ians.
Some OF the younger diplomats walked
TO lnelr homes ana chAttore1 away IN
their native tongues about the pretty
girls behind the line a. the White House.
Army officers. navy officers. marine OIL
GERS, every one of them gayly artred,
walked in groups, sometimes hve abreast,
talking and laughing and hailing friends
and acquaintances ioyously in accord
ance with the spirit OF the day
Up and down the broad asphated road
way OF Connecticut avenue automobiles.
Nictorias, broughams, government car
riages and less elegant public hansoms
and four-wheelers were passing constant
ly. Most OF them were filed to overflow
Ing. Five and six were not an unusual
number for a victoria, and it was poor
brougham or coupe that did not hold
four.
party OF army girls going to assist"
at some Of the receptions occupied mud
spattered military bus drawn by two
lively little mules. foreign military at
tache I'm pale blue uniform, top boots
of patent leather and silver helmet
adorned by horse-hair plume two feet
long rode alone In all his gorHsousness I'm
an electric runabout which he manipulate
ed himself II was not an unusual sight
TO see mastery martial form blue-coat-
ed epauletted and gold laced, perched
high on the bobbing seat of a two-wheel-
ed, skyscraping cart, with cookbook
Ing girl beside him handling the reins.
And all the people in uniform and out
were stopping to exchange greetings with
others OF the official and social world
There were plenty of women I'm the throng
who knew plenty OF the men. and all
along the avenue were little groups, some
of their members in the blue and gold of
diplomatic or military service. others in
gay feminine finery and others-secretar-
les. commissioners, senators and the like
In the plain dark clothes of civilian life
Nearly all the higher officials from the
vice president down kept open house. The
Secretary OF War and Mrs. Taft had one
OF the biggest crowds, for every army Of
hcer in town regarded Il as his duty to
call on the head OF the military depart
ment.
The Secretary OF the Navy and Mrs
Bonaparte also had a large attendance
OF naval ands marine officers and civilians
et their reception. There was tremend-
Gus throng at the residence OF the Vice
President and Mrs Fairbanks on Farra-
eatsquare.
The usual breakfast to the members OF
the diplomatic corps was served at noon
at the residence Of the Secretary of State
and Mrs Root and big crowd of sight
eeers gathered around the Levi p Morton
house near Scott circle, where Mr. Root
lives, TO get glimpse of the ambassadors
and ministers and their wives and daugh-
ters who came TO partake of the hospital
ity OF the head OF the American foreign
office
Among the hostesses was Miss Helen
Cannon. daughter OF the speaker OF tho
house who maintained a custom which
she has kept up ever since coming to ths
national capital of bidding welcome 10
all who came within her fathers house.
Postmaster General and Mrs Cortelyou
who are In mourning by reason of a death
IN Mrs. Cortelyou's family did not receive
yesterday. nor did they attend the presi-
Dental reception at the White House
Secretary and Mrs. straus. the latest