Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1911-01-02
The Presidents Reception.

The Presidents Reception.
Washington, Jan. 2.-This was the
second time that the president and Mrs.
Taft OBLIGATED rs host and hostess at the
White House New Year reception. in
defiance OF the weather, crowds gath
cred outside the White House hours be-
fore the buglers OF the Marine Band
trumpeted the entrance OF the chief
magistrate and Mrs. TAFT commence
the reception of the gilded diplomats,
the judiciary, and the government Of
ticials, all of whom were received be
fore the latch was lifted to the public.
The crowd twisted in n persistent and
stamping line room the White House
doors down Pennsylvania avenue.
With the first stroke of the clock
at II, four bugiers sounded the
presidential call. The president and
Mrs. Taft appeared ut the top Of the
winding stair and came down to
receive the Vice President and Mrs.
Sherman, and the members OF the
Cabinet and their wives. The party
then moved to the southern end Of the
Blue Room, where the president and
the vicc.prcsilcnt and the Cabinet
members formed a receiving line and
the ladies took up their places to the
right OF them. Then commenced the
reception of the diplomatic corps.
This is one OF the most gorgeous
spectacles that the national capital wit
ncsses in the entire year.
The ambassadors were led by Baron
Hepgelmullcr Won Hengeryar, the Aus
tro-H Hungarian ambassador.
After the ambassadors came the min
listers, headed by Senior Don Joaquin
Bernado Calyo, the Costa Rican min
lister.
Before the LAST diplomat had passed
from sight, the new chief justice Of the
United States. Then the president
shook hands,with the senators and rep
resentatives whe remained in Washing
ton during the holidays. There were
only few OF them.
The congressional delegation marked
the end of the first part Of the recep-
ton. The buglers again stepped from
their places with the band, and sound
ed another spirited fanfare, las the doors
opened TO the army, navy, and marine
corps ofiicers-al in their full-dress
uniforms. Every military officer on duty
in Washington was there, and the gold
lace of their uniforms was but little less
gorgeous than the giided dress OF the
diplomats.
With the passing OF the military, the
spectacular features OF the reception
were at an end, and the lesses govern
ment officials in plain citizen clothes,
filed in. Then followed the various
patriotic societies, who are accorded
special recognition at the New Year
reception.
The Elast OF the official visitors had
left by l o'clock. Mrs. Taft, Mrs.
Sherman and the ladies of the cabinet
then withdrew from the reception line
to the state dining room, where refresh
ments will be served. in the Blue
room the president and his cabinet then
received the long line that for hours
had been gathering along the White
House walks.
A Heterogeneous throng-typically
American--filed in to the lively music |
Of the band, quickened to hurry them
along.
A few feet down the line from the |
president stood several well-groomed |
and well-built men apparently loung-
ing carelessly about, but keeping a
careful eye Oh the moving line as it ap.
proaches the executive. They were
the secret service men, and not per-
son reached the objective point OF the
line without close scrutiny.
The most evident at the reception
we're three members OF the Roc welt
family. Mrs. Nicholas Longworth aLi I
Miss Ethel Roosevelt stood in the re-
,eiying line. Kermit Roosevelt walked
about laughing and joking with Robert
Taft. Because OF an attack OF appen-
iicits the Baroness Hengelmuller wife
If the Austrio- Hungarian ambassador
vas unable to attend the reception.
The reception was remarkably brief, e
he army and navy delegations being {
eceiVed nearly an hour before schedule b
ime. Ii
At Las the last stragRler vas hurried b
n to wish President Taft Happy New :,
Tear. In all, 5,625 people shook /,
.audr with the president today. A
Riding - n which commenced about
COR lfsoalened to reduce the crowd, c.
nj f. zu1shsr two hours they contin- S
35 = H"l' ln, MrsI Taft Fsnaipsa 7