New-York tribune., 1909-12-25
MRS. TAFT'S PLANS
STATE RECEPTIONS.
Ne1c arrangements for Com
fort of U'hite House Guests.
TFronn The Tribune Bureau. I

TFroun The Tribune Bureau
Washington. Dec. 24-Mrs. Taft has com
pleted her plans for the state receptions at
the White House. and the new arrange
ments promise 20 make these affairs more
enjoyable Cor all who attend them than
they have been IN many years. There
viii be no distinction between guests.
All OF whom viii share the hospitality %
the President and Mrs. Taft on an equal
footing. The tedious awaiting in line be
fore reaching the President is 20 be done
away with. and every change promises 70
make for the greater pleasure Of the guests.
AT the New Years reception the Prest-
dent. the Vfce-Presideut and the members
90 the Cabinet. with their wives. will form
the receiving line. Mrs. Taft expecting TO
be present for az least part Of the time.
They will be the sole occupants OF the Blue
Room. and the guests will pass by them.
and then he free 20 stroll through the other
apartments.
Al the four state receptions the Presi-
dent. attended by his naval and military
aids and Mrs Taft when she feels equal ~
the strain. will be the sole occupants OF
the Blue Room. The guests will enter the
East Room as soon as they reach the TOP
Of the stairs leading from the long east
corridor There they will have an oppOr-
stroll about a. long as they wish before
greeting the President and Mrs. Taft.
After passing through the Blue Room they
can go into the state dining room. where
refreshments viii be served and can then
return % the East Room or stop IN the
Red Room and other apartments, all of
which VIII he AZ their disposal including
the private lining room. which Is used as a
smoking room on the occasion OF large
dinners
To appreciate the advantages 81 the new
arrangements " Is only necessary 70 re-
call The fact that for many years n has
been the custom 70 issue special invita-
tons to the personal friends or the hosts.
which invitations entitled the holders 20
remain IN the Blue. Red and Green rooms.
which were carefully roped OF. while
those not 50 favored had only the East
Room and the main corridor in which 70
move about This created an embsrras-
sing. not 70 saw invidious distinction be
tween the guests. which certainly detract-
81 from the pleasure which many. q the
invitations n the White Mouse might
otherwise have afforded Moreover the
custom in the past has been 70 form the
line in the lower corridor and maintain tt
through the private dining room. the state
dining room and the Red Room. until the
President was reached in the Blue Room
Those holding special invitations were 70
ceived irst and were directed into the Blue
Room. while all others passed on into the
East Room. once described BY a clever
Washington woman as the chamber OF
exterior darkness wholly analogous 20 the
catholic conception Of purgatory." The old
arrangement resulted in manv persons
spending by far the greater part ~ the
evening standing IN line. ~ being by no
means unusual for them 20 stand for
upward of an hour. That rigiditv will be
obviated by the general informalitv OF the
East Room. the largest o. the apartments,
which viii serve as an antsroOm 70 the
Blue Room. where the President viii re
Ceive
The dfsconrinUance ~ the custom ~ ask
ing the women of the Cabinet 70 stand IN
tho receiving line rs the occasion of graft
fcstion ~ them. and viii make materially
for the pleasure % the guests. rhe wives
of thSCabinst officers will now move about.
assisting bv greeting their friends aui
making r. pleasant for all. precisely as
they would do in a private house on the
ether hand. the members Of the Cabinet
and their wives will enjoy the privilege of
remaining IN The Blue Room with the
President when they 80 choose.
The invitation lists have been cur down
~ avoiding duplication. 50 that. WIN a
very few exceptions. NJ person will be in
vitsd ~ more than one reception plan
which Is expected 10 add greatly 20 the
comfort and enjoyment Of the receptions.
In all the new arrangements Mrs Taft has
sought 70 promote the pleasure 81 her
guests and 20 make invitations % the White
House receptions more ~ an hono~ than
rhAv have been hitherto. Those familiar
with the arrangements are CONFIDENT that
her efforts will be crowned with success
The invitations ~ The diplomatic recep-
tion. which will be given on January 8
were sent Out to-day. They differ from
those or previous administrations in that
they DO NOT ser any hour for the close Or
/ the reception. Guests are invited 20 a re-
ceptiou beginning az go instead of, as
/ formerly. from a2n 70 10.3o"