The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1911-06-20
CIT IS FOR TAT IS
Finest Collection of Silver.
ware Seen in Washington.
EXAMINATIONS ARE GORGEOUS
The White House and Grounds Are
The White House and Grounds Are
in Readiness For the Silver
Wedding Anniversary Of
Mr. and Mrs. Taft.

Washington, June l9.-All the de-
dils for the reception and dance to be
given at the White House tonight TO
Celebrate the silver wedding anniyer-
nary Of the President and Mrs. TAFT
are complete, even to the floral dec
oratiOns which are TO surround the
couple where they stand IN the White
House drawing rooms 10 receive their
guests. Almost the position OF each
blossom has been decided. aud a gala
air Will be impaired to the presidents
home by a beautiful horal display.
The illumination OF the White House
and grounds will be the most elabo-
rate ever attempted The historic
structure itself will be outlined in
streaks OF fire, thousands OF incandes-
cent lights will glow In the oaks and
elms. strung about the executive man
sion for the flooding OF the lawns with
light. On the roof Of the state, war
and navy buildings rehectors VIII
throw colored beams of light on the
playing fountain directly In front OF
the great porticochere OF the White
House.
Practically all OF the prelimlnaries
have been completed. The lawns have
been newly clipped. the trees and
shrrbbery trimmed. the stand for the
marine band completed and the Gov
cred canopy under which the Presi-
dent and Mira. Taft will stand to -
ce!ye their guests made ready and dec
GRATED for the occasion.
The White House conservatories
will be practically cleaned out and the
interior OF the White House decorated
with wagOnlOads OF cut flowers. The
shops Of Washington have been swept
clean Of japanese lanterns TO enclose
lncandescent globes which have been
strung In a great square around the
grounds. just inside the iron fence that
viii divide the guests from the equally
interested public.
Dozens Of tables scattered here and
there among the trees will bear the
bowls Of punch and light refreshments.
ON the lawn the marine band VIII
play In the east room the engineers
band will serve the dancers. 1t will be
A long remembered outdoor fete II the
tickle weather OF Washington holds
kind and true.
Gifts Deluge White House.
The presents which have been sent
10 the President and Mrs. TAFT form
the most splendid collection Of silver
Washington has ever seen. They are
banked in the red room Of the White
House and the pile grows higher and
higher every hour. Some OF these giius
have come from foreign countries, but
the great majority Of them were given
by friends In Washington. Those pres
ents which were sent by organizations
are particularly handsome The tea set
presented by the United States senate,
the three dozen silver plates from the
house OF representatives and the sill
yer service from the United States SUI
preme court are the nrst sIts ever
made by these bodies to an individual,
the president or private citizen.
From Cincinnati. the home Of the
Tafts. have come numerous gifts. The
Commercial club OF that city. which Is
coming in a body to attend the celc-
bration. has sent gorgeous collection
Of silver. The people OF Maryland have
presented a silver punch bowl. tray
and ladle, while many organizations
have remembered the distinguished
couple with gifts The members Of the
cabinet sent individual presents. an
have many others in Washington init
mately associated with the taft ad
minlstration.