The Washington herald., 1909-05-15
Mrs. Taft Hostess at White
House Garden Party.
PRESIDENT HELPS RECEIVE
Many Guests Enjoy Tea on Knoll
Near where the Marine Band Con-
certu Were Once HeId-Nrs. Phoebe
Hearst and SON Among the Guests.
Judge Heron Meets old Friends.

south OF the mansion. This was the sec
ond OF a series Of afternoon teas which,
the weather permitting, were intended to
be held in the garden. The FIRST one,
however. was held practically indoors.
owing 10 the stormy day. Il was mat
ter Of great delight 20 the 80 guests yes
terday that they could roam az viii in the
private grounds of the President and sip
tea and punch and eat sandwiches and
ices under the historic trees, with The
President and his wife standing near by
Mrs. Taft received the guests on knoll
to the east OF where the Marine Band
used 10 be stationed for its Saturday aft
ernoon concerts Col Cosby made the
intrOductions. and the President remained
by his wifes side throughout the after
noon. She wore graceful gown OF soft
rose pink chiffon silk. with "a dTapery Of
sage green and pink net, made in semi
Greek fashion, the neck of the bodice
filed in with soft. creamy lace. Her hat
was OF gray braid, a large crown. but
msdium-sized brim. turned down all
around. and a wreath OF pink roses all
about the crown.
Capt Archibald Butt and the other aids
stood at intervals between the entrance
and. the receiving party. and usheFed the
guests 10 the garden They entered the
White House by the usual entrance for
receptions-at the east side-and went
through the iuciosed corridor which opens
onto TIE lawn toward the south. This
corridor was banked with beautiful
! hydrangeas IN full bloom, and the little
fence which surrounds the inclosure close
70 the house was a mass Of pink ram
blers in bloom. The Marine Band was
stationed AT the side. and the music was
most effective and beautiful, IN the open
air and not so close TO the guests
Judge Heron. OF Cincinnati. father OF
Mrs. Taft. who Is now a guest at the
/ White House. sat IN a large chair back
and 20 the side OF the President and Mrs
Taft. and had a little reception Of his
own. meeting many old friends and max
/ ing new ones. Mrs.. Lewis Moore was
also about him much OF the time She
has many friends In washington and was
busy greeting them all the afternoon
The tea table was extremely handsome,
the mounds of red roses making beau
: tiful contrast to the green all about The
guests included Mrs. Sherman. vile Of
the Vice President. IN a gown OF dark
blue and white. with white hat; the
Italian Ambassador and Baroness des
Planches. the latter in a striking tailored
costume Of white serge. made with long
ccst and severely plain. and wearing e
large black hat with stif black feathers;
the French Ambassador and Nine Jusse-
~--ss. ~ rrrrrn
of black and white silk. with white hat
and deep red roses: the japanese Arnbas-
sador and Baroness Takahira, the latter
IN white messaline; the British AEnbassa-
dor and Mrs. Bryce, the latter IN white
embroidered muslin, with white hat and
pink roses: the charge d'afTaires OF Mex
leo: the Greek Minister, Mr. COromilas,
the Portuguese Minister. ViscOunt dAlJe,
the Belgian Minister and Baroness Mon
ckeur; the military attache of the French
Embassy and Countess de Chambrun. the
counselor OF the French Embassy and
Nine. Lefevre-POntaIis. and scores OF ths
: younger members of the diplomatic corps,
Senator and Mrs. EIkins. the latter IN q
gown OF Irish lace over white satin. with
/ long coat effect OF the lace. and a direc-
! tOlre hat OF white piled high with white
.
4 formerly an Assistant Attorney General
Mrs Holmes. in black satin; Representa-
tive and Mrs. Perkins, Representative
and Mrs Herbert Parsons. and others IN
Cmcial and resident circles.
One OF the most interesting visitors OF
the afternoon was Mrs. Phoebe Hearst
widow Of former Senator Hearst, Of Cal
ifOrnia. who was escorted by her son, for
I NtTgl1f,-,- TTa---A
Of New York. Mrs. Hearst was qUain;
! figure, who stood out in contrast 70 the
other women present, like a charming
picture OF the grande dame Of a quarter
I Of a century ago. Her hair. turned gray
er than her Washington friends are ac-
: custOmed TO seeing it, was worn in tht
same style. parted in the middle and
drawn well down al the sides. as wheT
she was the leader IN the Senatorial cir
Gle. as the wife OF the richest Senator
Her gown was rich one OF gray and
white figured silk, with a soft. 1lmy
gray chirSh over II. Her only ornament
was a handsome brooch of amethysts
and her bonnet was Of gray, Ike hei
gown. with purple and lavender flowers
/ On leaving she was greeted with respect
/ ful delight By some Of the men at tns
/ doOrways. who were doing duty at the
I White House during Senator Hearst
career, when he and Mrs Hearst were
| frequent and familiar visitors ct the Ex
/ ecutive Mansion.
Mrs Hearst has spent much OF hel
time of late years abroad. and has recent
| y returned TO this country The HeaTst
mansion was bought by the italian gov
ernment, and is used as their embassy
here