The sun., 1910-01-02
TAFTSEEVTEAR'S RECEPTION
GI5zS PERSONS SHAKE HANDS
WITH THE PRESIDENT.

AnHrssTaft Able 60 Bear the Strain for
E Hair an HOur-Speaker Cannon.
Late, Came In wIththe 'Cltizens on
ROot"-DIpIOmatIc Orps First In Line
F WASHINGTON. Jan. 1.-The man who
tKuards the counting machine at the
White House said that, just 5.57S persons
Sshook hands with the President OF the
united States at his first New Years
PERCEPTION to-day. .-
x The reception was a happy affair.
,Slt didn't come up in point OF numbers
TO the last one of Col. Roosevelt. when
tfhe counting machine said that o.OS3
had passed along the line. but it was
twell worth seeing or attending.
4 Nine thousand handshakers was the
frccord for past affairs OF this kind, but
to-day there were some incidents which
made up for the lack OF 5000 extra out
stretched hands. 1t was good news
gthat Mrs. Taft, who had abandoned much
of the social programme for this season.
twas able to endure the strain for nearly
half an hour. Uncle Joe Cannon. who
had forgotten about it all. came hurry
ling down half an hour late and came in
in the line of -citi7ens on foot to pay his
Nrespects Victor Murdoch. leader of
tno HOUSE luSuTRN3nt3s anu Ltout.-Oca-
Miles. who considered himself persona
non grata of late years at 1900 Penn
ssylvania- avenue. were thereSalso.
n When the last Happy New Year
sswas said the President looked about
las happy as he did the day the news
icame bursting over the wires from Chi
cago that he had, been nominated for
kthe Presidency by the Republican
knational convention.
n Promptly at II oclocl,the President and
Mrs. Taft. preceded by Col. Spencer F.
Cosby. Capt. A. W. Butt and the other
emilitary and naval aides OF the President.
Ecame down the main staircase and entered
Sthe Blue Room, while the Marine Band.
aiivided into two sections. started up a
Nbugle call and then launched into the
sstrnins OF the Star SpanGled Banner :
Mrs Taft looked we'll in her dress OF
fliberty satin and tunic of gold beaded net
RRnd gold lace. A string of diamonds and a
diamond comb were her only ornaments.
She carried custer of lilies OF the valley.
Following the President and Mrs. Taft
earne Vioe-PresiGent and Mrs. Sherman.
I Secretary and Mrs. MacVeRgh. Mrs.
! Dickinson. wife of the Secretary of War.
/. whose husband rs in Porto Rico; Attorney
/, Genaral and Mrs. Wiokersham., the Secre-
( tary az the Interior and Mrs. Ballinger.
and the Secretary of Commercesand Labor
and Mrs Nagel. Miss Helen Taft. Miss
EleanSr Roelker-of New York. Miss Eliza
beth Parsons OF Columbus. Robert Taft
and Charlie TaftfOrmed. a. group. near the
receiving line.
Within fewrninyytee NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
party had been formed in the Blue Room
the long procession. guarded every ten
feet by ushers or secret service men,
started IN from the state dining room
through to the Red Room and past the
President out through the. Green Room
4 into the big East Room.
l The Diplomatic Corps. came first. For
a.uuarter OF an hour Ambassadors and
their wives. Ministers, envoys and Charge
ld'Affaires, Counts and Barons and lesser
psrsons, covered with gold braid and
surrounded with pomp and pageantry.
I walked by President Taft. who i'm frock
coat smilingly received them all,
The Italian Ambassador. Baron. Mayor
des Planohee. with the Baroness Mayor
des Planches and the members Of the
embassy staff, came first. an honor that
Baron des Planches has long held as dean
I OF the Diplomatic Corps. After him came
Baron HengelmtEer Won Hengervar. Am
bassador for Austria. and his wife and
Commander Baron and the Baroness F.
Preuschen Won und ZlI Eebenstein and
Baron Demeter Hye of the embassy staff
After Italy and Austria came the French
Ambassador and Nine Jusserand, Lieu
tenant Commander Benoist day. Capt.
de Chambrun and the Countess desCham-
brun and other attaches OF the embassy. In
repid succession followed the Brazilian
Ambazsador and Nine. Nabuoo and
other representatives from that South
American republic; Baron Bonn. the Rus
sian Ambassador. and Baroness Rosen
bassador and Mrs. James Byrce and
Z attaches. Count Won Bernstorf. the Ger
I man Ambassador, with his wife and their
+. daughter; Seflor don Francisco Leon de
IA Barra. the Mexican Ambassador, and
many Of his attaches.
Last of those Of the highest diplomatic