New-York tribune., 1910-02-02
THE TAFTS RECEIVE
White House Entertainment q
Pleasant affair.
IFrom The Tribune Bureau. ]


Washington, Feb. President, and Mrs.
Taft gave their annual reception at the
White House tonight In honor of the Sen
ate and House, and il is safe to say that
this august branch of the government was
never more charningly entertained in the
Presidents home. In marked contrast TO
the overcrowded affairs of former years.
the reception was equal In dignity to any
of the state functions given this year, and,
while necessarily more democratic. there
was homelike air about it which would
be hard TO equal in private house.
Instead of long line of visitors paired
carefully off in couples and kept in place
by a frequent sprinkling of policemen. the
line reaching from the very entrance to the
White House up through all the halls, stair
ways and several other places. and sane
conversation an utter impossibility except
with ones closest neighbor, as seen in for
mer years there was a gay throng in the
East Room, visiting from place to place.
laughing talking and enjoying themselves
while they waited to join the line being
presented to the President and Mrs. Taft
and their assistants.
IN THE EAST ROOM
Many of the guests had gathered in the
East Room when the Marine Band an
nounced with a flourish of trumpets the
entrance of the President and Mrs Taft,
the Vice President and Mrs. Sherman, the
Secretary of the Treasury and Mrs. Mac
Veagh, and other members of the Cabinet
with their wives, the party preceded by
several of the White House aids. There
was general move toward the great
double doorway between the East Room
and the Red Corridor, to witness the i'm
posing procession.
Miss Louise Torrey. the aged aunt of the
President, who has been q White~House
guest for some weeks, had a comfortable
chair i'll the Blue Room and held a recep
ton for the greater part of the evening.
Mrs. Taft remained in line until almost the
last visitor had been received and shook
hands with each guest. AS soon as every
one had been received the President went
into the East Room and greeted his
friends, while the ce-President and Mrs.
Sherman and the Cabinet members and
their wives, with a few other guests, were
served with supper in the Blue Room
Miss Ethel Roosevelt, who was accom-
panied by her sister, Mrs Longworth, and
Mr.. Longworth, was the belle of the occa-
sion and was kept busy greeting old friends.
who crowded about her as she held d veri-
table reception of her own.
William Loeb, jr, was also the centre OF
a group of friends throughout the evening,
all the guests seeming anxious TO seek out
the former secretary to the President and
congratulate him on the excellent admin
istration he has given the New York Gus
tom House
Mrs. Taft wore her inaugural gown of
rich cream white satin, made in semi
empire style and embroidered on skirt and
bodice with sprays of goldenrod on the
silver and gold.
Mrs. Sherman's gown was of white satin,
embroidered in pearls, point lace and tulle
softening the collar Of the bodice, and the
entire costume given a rich touch by the
skilful use of fur bands. Mrs. MacVeagh's
gown was of ivory velvet with a draped
effect of old lace the bodice, and she
wore a tiara, necklace, chain and corsage
ornaments of diamonds Mrs. Dickinson
wore gown of pale gray moire with silver
embroidery and bands of ermine, the fur
extending down tie sides of the train and
about the bottom of the skirt She wore
pearls and diamonds in old fashioned set
tings. Mrs. Wickershams white satin
gown was made with court train and the
entire bodice was formed of rhinestones
and other jewels, while she wore some
beautifully set diamonds. Mrs. Meyer wore
a gown of pale blue satin embroidered in
iridescent beads and Mrs. BaIlinger's gown
was of silver and blue brocade with silver
and crystal embroidery and bands of fur.