The Washington herald., 1907-01-02

yesterday. the President OF the United
States extended his right hand. gave
a citizen of the United States a
hearty grip, and, in many cases, a
pleasant word or two. In addition,
he shook hands with all of the
representatives Of fCs-@R governments
stationed in WasEzaSton. When The last
of his New Year callers had been greeted
he was as fresh and buoyant as ever. al
though several of his aids, and others
who assisted in the function which has
come to be such "a feature of New Years
Day iu Washington. bore obvious evi-
dence Of fatigue.
The reception which the President
gave yesterday first TO official Washing
ton. and then to all citizens who cared
10 call on him, differed in few details
from those Of the past The weather was
springlike in its mildness, but the in
crease which that circumstance would
naturally have brought about in the num-
her of callers doubtless was prevented by
the wreck of Sunday night which
brought sorrow TO SO many homes in
Washington, and made the first day of
the new year anything but happy. The
crowd was large. nevertheless, and many
of those not in official life, who were
compelled 70 wait until all oficialdolH
had paid its respects 10 the President,
stood in line patiently for three hours
without showing any evidence whatever
. of WEAKNESS 1t is difficult to imagine
more convincing indication Of President
Roosevelt's personal popularity than this
great throng of men, women, and chill
dren, who, on every New Years Day
since he succeeded MI Mckinley have
taken advantage of the opportunity to
see and shake hands with him.
Callers Congregated Early.
The reception proper commenced a few
minutes after Il O'Clock, the appointed
hour. but the line of unofficial callers COM
menced to form long before that time
Indeed, il vas not 10 o'clock when the first
OF them arrived at the northwest gate
the White House grounds, and prepared
10 wait there until ] O'Clock The first
comers were women, who amused them
selves throughout the long and tedious
wait by watching the curious ones who
passed and reDassed along Pennsylvania
avenue, and watched the White House,
through the iron Dars of the fence. with
great intentness. The length of the line
was gradually increased until, at a few
minutes before I o'clock, when those IL
the lead were admitted TO the grounds, it
extended from the main entrance TO the
White House out to the northwest gate,
up the avenue 70 the northwest corner OF
the State War and Navy Building, and
down the west side of that structure half
way to the Corcorau Art Gallery
Women predominated in the throng and
with very few exceptions both men and
women were well dressed and of prosper
Gus appearance generally A feature
which elected general comment was the
small number Of negroes in the line Il
count which was made shortly after I
o'clock disclosed the presence Of only
fourteen, several of whom were boys, in
that part OF the crowd between the rear
end of the line and the northwest gate TO
the White House grounds. On former oc-
casions of a similar character a large
proportion Of the unofficial callers have
been colored.
Officers Attracted Attention.
The people who gathered to look at the
Presidents callers. rather than 10 call
themselves We're thickest in the avenue
between the White House offices and the
State. War and Navy Building. The at
AAcAANlbA it tlllL flAci- tNA " tio AAA ilAf'lLfN "a
by the army and navy officers stationed
in and near Washington, who gathered at
the department, and crossed the avenue
in a body, and entered the north gate to
the White House grounds shortly after
noon. The diplomatists who were the first
to be received after the members of the
Cabinet came in carriages and autOmo-
biles and therefore, the curious ones had
little opportunity to crafty their taste
Tor gold lace and plumes. but the army
and navy officers. all Of whom wore their
most brilliant uniforms We're handicapped
In no such manner, and the crowd enjoyed
the treat of the day when they appeared
1t was along about noon that the diplo-
mats officers OF the army, the navy. and
the Marine Corps. Senators and Repre-
Sentatives. Judges. Commissioners, MEM
bers of the Cabinet. and former mem
bers of the Cabinet. and public officials
generally. who had been specially invited
10 tie reception, began 10 scatter around
through the fashionable northwest por-
tion OF town. Many went in carriages
and motor cars, as has been said but
just as many more. tempted by the
balny air and clear sky, walked away
from the White House to their several
destinations. Connecticut avenue the
highway to the places where fashion has
looking people Grizzled old veterans of
the army and navy walked in twos and
Jhrecs. keeping together for sheer en-
barrassments sake, for il isn't easy TO
proceed alone past thousands Of curious
civilians when one is dressed in clothes
that are covered all over with gold lace
Some Of the younger diplomats-the most
beautiful male things IN that circle of
uniformed people-walked also and chat
tered away in their native tongues about
the pretty girls behind the line at the
White House.
Came in Groups
Army officers, navy officers. marine Of
fcers. every one of them gayly capari-
soned. walked in groups. sometimes five
abreast. talking and laughing. and hail
ing friends and acquaintance joyousIy. in
accordance with the spirit of the day.
Up and down the broad asphalted road
way of Connecticut avenue, automobiles.
victOrias, br0ughams, government ear
riages and less elegant public hansoms
and fouT-wheeleTs were passing constant
Iy Most OF them were filled 10 over
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