Arizona republican., 1911-06-20
THE WORLD WAS THERE
Weather Favored Event,
Which Was the Greatest
Function Ever Given at
the White House Thous-
ands Participated.

Washington. d. c., June 19.-The
silver wedding celebration Of Presi-
dent and Mrs Taft, the second to be
held at the white house, came to an
end tonight with a reception on the
white house lawn. Invitations had
been sent to close 10 1900 persons
and. while the official count of those
who shook hands with the president
was not given out it is estimated that
at least 5000 persons were present.
Probably never in the history of the
nation has such a function been held
in Washington.
The diplomatic corps of the United
States. the supreme court, members
of the senate and house. representa-
ties of the departments of govern
ment. men high in the political affairs
Of the country. in the army the navy,
and almost every walk OF life. were
represented. 4 cool, clear night that
made the reception in the open air
possible prevented a crush that the
white house for days had been afraid
of. and made the reception not only
brilliant and unusual. but delightful i'm
every respect. The guests would have
filled the white house TO overflowing.
but the white house grounds were
ample and there was no crush and
no confusion Possibly $4,000 people
crowded about the fence that sur
rounds the grounds and looked long
ingly at the electric display. the
splashing fountain and the gay tbrong
within
Washington seldom gets excited
about anything. but tonight it showed
its interest i'm the anniversary Of the
presidents wedding in an unmistaka-
BILE fashion. The cards said the re-
ception would begin at o'clock
promptly and at that hour. to the
strains Of wedding march. the
president and Mrs. Taft walked slow
ly down the stairsace Of the white
house preceded by the presidential
aides. and followed by the cabinet
officers. out through the red room
to the rear portico Of the mansion
down the broad steps to the lawn the
procession marched. while hundreds of
guests already in the grounds watch
ed the progress. They took stand
about the center of the lawn, beneath
two trees. the branches of which were
Joined by an electric sign, flashing
"1SS6-1911."
The guests entered from the east
front. passed through the corridors
beneath the white house and out to
the lawn. Down the winding walk
they passed in two lines to where the
president. his face wreathed in smiles,
was awaiting TO meet them all.
The reception was just as informal
as the president could make it, Those
who could waited in line for hours to
shake hands, but many slipped out Of
the line and sought the shaded walks
and~chairs. waiting on the grass or
wandering at will through the lower
floors Of the mansion. Presents that
numbered hundreds and whose money
value ran high into the thousands.
attracted many, while others turned to
the East room where the polished
floor echoed to the tread of dancers.
Preparations were made for 5000
guests.
Mrs. Taft surprised even those ia
miliar with the improvement Of her
health by remaining by the presidents
side in the receiving line all evening
She wore gown of white satin, bre-
caded with silver flowers. with a
short train Miss Helen Taft. who
was near at hand. wore a gown of
pink satin. with tunic of pink chif-
fon.
Despite the unusual crowds, the ma
chinery had been so perfected that
everything worked smoothly. AutOmO-
biles under the watchful eye of the
police. chugged up to the east. en-
trance. deposited their occupants and
steamed away again half a dozen to
the minute Foot passengers found
access more difficult. but the police
arrangements were good and with a
little rushing now and then. a little
diplomacy here and there. got rid of
the curious More than 100 policemen
were on guard around the fence and
the usual plain clothes men and Sc
cret service guards were within the
grounds.
While o'clock had been named as
the hour at which the reception should
begin. no time was fixed for the end
of the festivities. and il was after
midnight when the marine band struck
up Home. Sweet Home" and the
last dancers swept out of the the
East room and the president felt
that he could retire.
During the festivities. George b.
Schumacher. former consul of the
United States at Ensenada, Mexico,
was arrested at the east entrance of
the white house. The eX-consul in