New-York tribune., 1909-12-12
NEW SOCIAL ORDER
WHITE HOUSE RULES
CHANGED.
Mrs. Taft Makes InnoUations
IN Programme for Re
ceptions.
IFrom The Tribune Bureau. ]

to-day relative to changes in the mode
OF entertaining has long been eagerly
watched for by people in the official and
social world and rings the death kneI
OF some highly disagreeable features and
abuses Of the Presidents hospitality.
The text of the statement follows:
Under the personal direction of Mrs.
TAFT the arrangements for the social
season at the White House have prac-
tically been completed and the pro-
sramme shows a number of innovations
which reflect the great interest and
study which she has given 70 the sub
tect. While Mrs. Taft probably viii not
participate in any OF the larger recep-
tions or state functions. the details OF
these affairs will be carried out under
her immediate supervision. Mrs. Taft
expects 10 appear for a time at least
during the New Year reception. She will
continue &c receive by appointment two
or three afternoons each week during the
season. but it is felt that it would be too
much OF tax upon her TO Re present
during the long hours of all the state
functions. Mrs. Taft has been a con-
slant visitor 10 the Washington theatres
OF late.
The problem OF the larger receptions,
such as the diplomatic, the judicial, the
Congressional and the army and navy,
thousand and more. presented 10 Mrs.
Taft the greatest difficulty OF the social
programme. and she set about to devise
some means OF making these receptions
more significant, more distinctive and
more OF personal honor to the guests
of the evening and those invited to meet
them. To do this il has been found
necessary materially TO reduce the in
vitation lists, not by the elimination OF
any one in or out Of official life who
- r. IL iSte l,rrr
by limiting the invitations 70 one or the
other OF the receptions, and not inviting
the same guests to all Of the receptions
Only few people in official life VIII be
invited 10 more than one OF the big re-
ceptions, and no one out of official lifs.
IL is said, viii receive succeeding 1nvl-
tations.
One OF the principal reasons for limit
ing the numbers at the several receptions
Is the fact that during this adm:nistra-
ton refreshments are 10 be served dur
ing the state receptions. This has not
been done since President Hayes's ad
ministration. The facilities for serving
refreshments to so large company at
the White House are comparatively linn
ited. OF course. and the guests TO be in
vited must be reckoned accordingly. For
the larger affairs this will mean a great
undertaking but Mrs. Taft personally
has gone over the situation, and IL Is
believed that her efforts in this way will
overcome the dif1cultles.
The entire arrangement reflects Mrs.
Taft's executive mind. and reveals her
knowledge OF Official life in and out OF
the White House-a knowledge gained
in her several years Of residence here as
the wife OF a Cabinet officer. which gives
her an advantage not before possessed
by q mistress of the White House.
MRS. TAFTs HEALTH.
That Mrs. Taft is not likely TO appear
at any OF the state receptions or dinners
is a cause for keen regret TO every one
who knows her. but her health will not
warrant prolonged fatigue, though she
daily supervises every detail OF the home
and social life at the White House. and
constantly goes on shopping expeditions,
attends the theatre several times a week
and drives out every day. She seldom or
never misses church, and will continue
TO hold her informal receptions. or teas" +"
several times a week. when. by request
or invitation the people Of official life
as we'll as her personal friends may
meet her.
Mrs. Taft's plan will not only dignity
White House entertaining beyond any
thing vet attempted there, but IL will
add a hundredfold 70 the comfort Of all
those honored with an invitation to the
Presidents temporary home. Mrs.
Roosevelt made an attempt to reduce
the number Of invited guests 10 the state
receptions in the last year of her resi-
dence in the White House. and carried
r1n fort NF
one concerned, but she attempted no
radical changes
The old evil OF men and women in OFF,
cial and even private life transferring
their invitations TO others. of members
of Congress or their secretaries placing
them on sale in hotels and. IL has even
been charged, giving them to servants.
will. IL is expected, be eliminated through
Mrs. Taft's plan of seldom repeating an
invitation TO an official and never to a
non-oficial person. President Taft's
predecessor tried to break up this objec-
tionable custom by having the name OF
each guest plainly written on a card. TO
be presented to the usher at the door.
and changing the color of the cards for
each reception.
NO TRANSFERS OF CARDS
Even this did not greatly correct the
abuse, for there still continued TO be a
great and amusing discrepancy between
the list of invited guests as printed in
the local papers and the names OF those
presented TO the President and his wife.
Those who passed the front door OF the
White House as Senator Dash and his
wife" never had the effrontery to be in
troduced 70 the President by other than
their real names. Under the new order
IT would mean nothing less than per-
sonal sacrifice TO transfer the one in
vitation 10 the White House TO a friend
or relative. and IL is not so likely 10 be
done.
The revival of the custom Of serving
refreshments TO guests invited TO the
state receptions is a matter for con-
graduation. for il adds a true touch of
American hospitality and a congeniaI
atmosphere. which cannot otherwise be
achieved. This plan will, OF course, OBJ
viate the old custom OF serving a supper
10 those who assist in the Blue Room.
which was established after the pass
ing OF the Hayes administration. Those
conversant with the inner life of the
White House were much amused at he