New-York tribune., 1909-01-02
.Nea0 Year Fesffx'fffes IL, G2,aSbfnSfon
RECEPTION AT THE WHITE HOUSE
ITrrr1 The Tribune B-rea1. :

RECEPTION AT THE WHITE HOUSE.
Irrr11 The Tribune B-rea1I
yaeaingtoa Jan president Roosevelt gave
hearty handclesp to 6eS persons his reception -
the White House to-day. and 10 hundreds he said
a Happv New Year His last handshake and
his las. coed wish inst hearty as those
which greeted the Italian Ambassador Baron
Mayor das Planches. at the opening ~ the recep-
ton He never once showed the slightest haste
or fatigue. and looked squarely into the face Of
every man. woman and child as he grasoed his
hand He sometimes showed inclination 70
Irger for a few seconds over The hand of friend.
but the Iusty notes of the Marine Band in the
outer hall and tie size Of the oncoming crowd
warned him that time pressed
After greeting the Vice President and Mrs Fair
banks the members of the Cabinet and their wives
and those asked TO assist in the Blue Room. the
President and Mrs Roosevelt took their places with
Mrs. Fairbanks Mrs. Wright. Mrs Bonaparte. Mrs
Meyer Mrs. Garfield and Mrs. strsus. standing in
line while the Cabinet members stood back OF
them. Colonel Charles :. BromweH made the
presentations 70 the President and Commander Will
lam s Smith stood just back OF him Other White
House aids were on duty in various parts OF the
Blue Room and the drawing rooms On either SIDE.
while Major General J. Franklin Bell, chief OF stsr
L s. 4. was on duty throughout the reception
Baron des Pianches and the baroness were the
first to be greeted by the President. and there was
= pause Of some seconds. Ia which the ambassador
thanked the President for his activity and that ~
the government N giving ana 10 tlr
Italian earthquake sufferers. Then the line moved
hriskly on. The diplomats Of the thirtv-eigLt for
etgn countries represented by ambassador or
minister with the exception or Mexico, which has
g charge d'sfaires. in the person OF Sehor Godoy.
followed IN turn. Each year new faces are seen in
the diplomatic corps, and to-day the presence OF
several newcomers aroused interest Among these
were the German Ambassador and Countess Bern
s'orff and their daughter. Countess Alexandra
T5srrst5rT and Baron Takabira-
Chief Justice Fuller. OF the Supreme Court
headed the judiciary. following which we're sena-
tors and Representatives, with many Of whom the
President showed tendency 70 have more than
passing word
\ WORD FOR THE CHILDREN
There was fine showing Of full dress uniforms
when The army officers. headed by Major General
Bell took their places next. They were followed
by officers Of the navy and marine corps and the
District Of Columbia militia Admiral Dewey has
been fndisposed for some time. and was not at the
head Of the line OF navy officers. a fast which
elected for him many expressions Of sympathy
Following the officers were the regents and sec
retary OF the Smithsonian Institution and officials
Of the various commissions and departments OF the
government and tie various organizations Of vet
era-s headed ny the Society of the Cincinnati tn7
ATE Club ana he Associated Veterans = the u ar
Of -s+s,4s and including the Spanish War Veterans
Last we're the members OF tha Oldest Inhabitants
Association Of the District Of Columbia
After diplomats and officials had pad their re-
su4cyz the most interesting and typicaiiy AneT'-
can feature ~ the reception began-the Presidents
welcome 20 men Of al walks Of iife IN Washington
and ether parts of the country. There were bank
s~s LAWYERS ministers and men OF other Profes-
sons many of whom we're drawn 70 the scene oF
g desire 70 grasp the Presidents hand
The President ordered that the gate should oe
closed on no one and that every 7erson should
have the opportunity 70 shake his hand Thus there
we're in rre line not only groTn-ups olt host of
little zirGs ana boys. Never child passed hin
uunotlced not even coTnicai lirtle black boy V7o
fed down the line evadins his mothers grasp. ard
oa into the East Room. As he passed the PTes'-
dent and Mrs Roosevelt laughed and ali the aonet
women soined in. and the latter shook their oou-
Duets 1t him a compliment which only increased
his speed
Frcu national airs when the diplomats nlllitarE
men and others were passing. On through classics
and popular airs. the Marine Band never once los
It's swing and when the step Of the weary wait
ers without Jagged it struck up The Barn Dance.
i F7t Time in the Old Town Tonight Dixie.
Yankee Doodle raEtirne airs. and even Indian
var dances tc put life into the moving rhronS
and send them scurryirr n double quick time 70
the President
u was The last New Years reception ot Pres
1eur Roosevelt IN the White House. but II was not
one whit less hearty than vas his first
ASSISTING ~ THE Blue ROOM