Weekly journal-miner., 1909-01-06
HUNDREDS ATTEND ROOSEVELT LAST
 RECEPTION
Dignitaries of Other Nations Honor Big
 Occasion
special to the Journal-M Miner

idcnt Roosevelt, held the customary New Years reception at the White House today. Under the present ad. these receptions have al ways been unusually brilliant and to days event, perhaps because it was President Roosevelt's las, function of that kind. surpassed in brilliancy and large attendance even that of last year, which held the record in both respects.
 The gathering a. the White House was most notable, at is was the last opportunity to greet the present exec utive.
 The shadow of the sadness of the Italian disaster was there in the pres encc of the Italian ambassador. The Chinese representative, who is mourn ing the emperor, was absent.
 The number in attendance was l051
 The grounds surrounding tho White House had been put in perfect condi' ton during the past few days and the White House. especially the rooms to be used at the reception. had been de cora,ed with unprecedented magnih' cence. Plants and flowers from the greenhouses had been grouped in the different halls, rooms and corridors with exquisite taste. to form an artis- tie background for the gorgeous uni. forms and court dresses of the diplo' mats and attending representatives of he army and navy.
 Within certain restrictions the re- captions at Inc White House on New Years day are free to all and every year thousands avail themselves of this opportunity to pay their respects to the president and, incidentally. to gratify their curiosity. But never had been greater the number of those craving admission to the White House than today. The lines in the grounds began to form long before Q o'clock while the beginning of the reception had been set, as usual, for II o'clock
 Before the opening of the public re- ception President and Mrs. Roosevelt assisted by Mrs. Nicholas Longwortl and Miss Ethel Roosevelt, who had made her social debut only few days ago, received the members of the cab inet and their ladies. The president attired in the regulation froek suit with turndown collar and drak tic seemed to be in excellent humor nac cnatted gaily with the members of hi official family, while Mrs. Roosevelt in handsome reception gown, made the honors of the occasion to the wive and daughters of the cabinet minis ters. Vice President Fairbanks an, Mrs. Fairbanks headed the cabine party and were followed in order h, Secretary and Mrs. Root and the oth CT members of the cabinet and thci ladies.
 \ few minutes before II o'clock trumpet fanfare hcralded the begin ming of the reception. The Marine Band, hidden in the corridors, benin, n screen for ferns and palms, strucl up an inspiring march and the receiv ing party, headed by President an, Mrs. Roosevelt, descended the stair from the upper floor, crossed the cor ridor and entered the Blue Parlor where the reception was to be held. | President and Mrs. Roosevelt tool their position near the door leadinl from the Red Room to fne Blue Par Tor and the other members of the re eeiving party, in the order of their of hcial rank, arranged themselves along side, forming semi-circle in tn eouth end of the room. Around th, doorway through which the visitor were to enter, secret service men hoy cred, wno kept their eyes upon tn
 guests as they passed through tn door. Nobody was permitted to carr, handkerchief or muffler in his han, and nobody was permitted to pas along the line with hands in his pock cts.
 Promptly at II o'clock the doors O
 the Red Room were thrown open an
 the foreign ambassadors and thei
 stafs, accompanied by their ladie, . began to file into the Rluc parlo, where they were cordially greeted b
 the president and formally introduce to the other members of the receiyin
 party. First came the dean of the d piomatie corps, Baron Hengelmuelle
 the Austrian-I Hungarian ambassado accompanied by the baroness. The an bassador personally introduced tn
 members of his stan, all of whom wer resplendent in their diplomatic or mi itary uniforms. Next in order cam