New-York tribune., 1911-01-03

and other orders. who stopped In the East
Room 10 exchange greetings and stories
No one appeared 20 enjoy the reception
more than Speaker Cannon. A friend said
to him: ~ hope you will have happy
New Year, Uncle Joe.' ." and he laughingly
responded: Eyes. I will. II have every
thlng my own way. He made himself
perfectly at home, told of his trip TO Dan
Vile. where he found the whole family III
from tonsilitis. and remarked: 81 was too
hardened TO catch 1t. left that TO my
daughter Helen"
Senator Depew left the more fashionable
crowd In the Blue and Green rooms and
spent some time in the East Room greet
Ing his friends and telling an occasional
story that elected laugh from his listen
ers
There was a touch o: domestic life in the
Blue Room. when Charley Taft stole quiet
ly In and proceeded TO hold a little recep-
ton OF his own. Many persons put their
arms across his shoulders. invited him to
sit on the arm OF chair by them OF en-
gagged him in a confidential chat. Miss
Constance Wickersham, also was in the
Blue Room. She is a little miss Of four
teen. IN short frocks blue. to-day, and
she wore childish black velvet hat with
pink roses.
Roosevelt Children Warmly Greeted.
Mrs. Longworth and Miss Ethel Roose-
welt were among the favorites in the Blue
Room. They were greeted by a host Of old
friends, who constantly surrounded them
some Of them recalling the first time they
saw Miss Ethel, now a tall blond girl IN
the Blue Room, then just slip Of a child
her hair tied with pink ribbons. Kermit
Roosevelt stopped and greeted all OF the
old officers about the White House before
going 10 the Blue Room. for each OF whom
he had some pleasant word. He. too, was
greeted by many old friends.
There were roses and flowers and plants
about the drawing rooms to-day in just
sufficient quantity TO mark it as gala
occasion. The Presidents three brothers
were there, sometimes in the Blue Room
sometimes in the East Room, but often al
the door OF the red corridor and watch
ing their brother greet the thousands OF
guests. or walking leisurely about with
Robert Taft, who remained within slsht
OF his father most of the time
Mrs. Taft remained by the President
side until 1890 o'clock, when she sat near
him for while occasionally resumlng her
place until she led the Nice-Presideht anu
Mrs. Sherman and their family party the
members Of the Cabinet and their fainlhea'
Representative and Mrs. LongWorth' MISS
Roosevelt, Kermit Roosevelt and mum
ber Of others to the state dining room lo'
luncheon which they took seated.
After Mrs. Taft left, the President at
tended only bv his two aids. Captain Butt
and Major Crosby, received the remainder
OF the guests. Several hundred "cltizens
announced that they came from Ohio, to all
of whom Mr. Taft laughingly responded
so did 1, and ] am proud Of it,
When a cripple on crutches went by the
President held his hand a moment and
said: II thank you so much for coming 10
wish me happy New Year
Special Greeting for Babies.
Each Of the babies in arms received spe-
cial recognition, touch on the cheek
grasp Of the tiny hands and compliment
for the mother The little boys. too came
in for big share OF the Presidents atten-
ton. To one. at least, the big Executive
must have seemed TO be almost little boy
himself for after the little fellow got well
dents twinkling eye and turned and ran 10
him. There was then general scramble
OF the uniformed aids. whose swords
clanked as they surrounded the little cnap
and headed him for the right door
The President was especially gracious to
all the old people I'm the line. Whenever
very old man or very old woman came 10
be presented he held their hand a second
or two Just TO stop the hustle and hurry
and make them feel the more at home. Not
few old ladies stopped the procession Tor
a minute while they passed a word with
their host, some telling him how many
Presidents they had greeted while others
slowly told him how happy they were to
greet him and wish him happy New Year.
once there was a hearty laugh when the
boom Of the Marine Band suddenly stopped
lust as Captain Butt was asking boy Of
twelve his name, that he might announce
II 10 the President. john rang out loud
and free in a tone intended to drown the
band as the last note died away. That
John filed the Blue Room. and even the
embarrassed boy Joined in the laugh.
one man was so nervously hunting for
the President that he missed him, and had
TO be turned back. as the President insisted
on shaking every hand. Another visitor
who did not know that a White House aid
should never wink an eye while on duty
beside the President. Eraspei Major
Cosbv's reluctant hand and gave It a
hearty shake Still another visitor became
confused and shook the hand of a Secret
Service man.
In the citizens line there were many
an nd d.
ing in the rain and rubbing shoulders with
day laborers black and white, and others
who waited to shake the Presidents hand
but old and young men Of every class and
condition received the same warm hand
clasp and the same smile and good wish
from Mr.. Taft.
A figure I'm the Blue Room which at
tracted attention was William Glyme
Charles Gladstone British attache, who
accompanied the British Ambassador He
arrived Yesterday, and his introduction TO
the capital was propitious. He is a nephew
NJ Eugland's grand old man" and has
haen secretary TO the Viceroy OF Ireland.
The rich costumes OF the women We'd
with the gold-trimmed uniforms OF the
men in adding brilliancy 70 the reception
While the women Of the diplomatic corps
aIUavs order special gowns from Europe
fer New Years Day, scarcely OF less in
terest were the costumes Of the women of
tho Presidents household, that of Mrs.
sherman. wife Of the Nice-President. and
those of the wives Of Cabinet members and
others.
Mrs. Taft wore light blue chiffon. made
g, crncing stvIe over white satin and bor-
4a,ad with brown marabout with en-
.trCidery and lace on HE bodice. She car
ried a large sEeaf Of sweetpeas grown in