The Washington times., 1911-02-08
Many Members Of Congress
Attend Their Last
Function.

White House last night, when the Pres
ident and Mrs. Taft received the men,
bers Of the Congressional set at one of
the largest state receptions of their re-
gime.
The Executive Mansion was effectively
decorated for the occasion with a pro-
fusion of gorgeous blooms, and the
East Room, where the guests assembled,
presented a most picturesque spectacle
with the riot of lights flowers, and
beautifully gowned women.
Promptly at $50 o'clock the trumpet
ers heraldcd the approach of the Presi-
dent and Mrs. Taft, accompanied by the
receiving party, which included the
Cabinet ministers and their wives, from
the private apartments upstairs. I'M
mediately upon. their arrival in the
Blue Room, which has come to be rec
ognized as the official reception room,
the presentation of guests began, Cap
tam Butt making the introductions.
An elaborate supper was served in the
state dining room throughout the even
ing, and as soon as the last guest in
the long line had been received the Ma
riue Band, which had PLAYED throughout
the evening in the north lobby, took its
program of dance music, to the delight
of the dancing contingent.
During the dance Mrs. Taft, escorted
by Captain Butt, partook of some light
refreshments in the dining room. while
the President joined the dancers for the
greater part of the time.
Presidents Aunt
Among Spectators.
Among the most interested of the
spectators was Miss Della Torrey, aunt
of the President, who has been his
guest at the White House for a week.
Miss Torrey spent the greater part of
the evening in the Blue Room, return
ing to the private apartments upstairs
only shortly before the close of the re-
Ception
An interesting feature of the occasion
was the predominance of feminine
guests, illness having played havoc in
the masculine ranks invited for the oc-
casion. The Speaker of the House was
conspicuous among the absentees but
was represented by his daughter, Miss
Helen Cannon.
Farewells were also the order of the
evening, last night being the last ap-
pearance at the White House, at least
in their official capacity, of number
of Senators and Representatives, whose
terms expire next month.
Only a few diplomats and Sprlnk-
ling of army and navy folk were pres
ent last night, the only new foreigner
present being the new Swedish minister,
Count EhreTSvard, VINO mas just arrived
Mrs Taft, who looked exceptionally
we'll in a handsome gown of white en-
broidered crepe meteor with tune IN
pannier effect of black chiffon edged
With fur, touches of emerald green vel
vet, and a girdle of the velvet.
Miss Helen Taft. who came down
stairs and took her place in the Blue
Room shortly before the reception be-
gan. wore a particularly dainty and
girlish gown of pink emoroldereo
crepe de chine trimmed with eHectlVe
touches of pale blue and a girdle OF
DaIe. blue satin finished with a but
terhy bow at the back.
Mrs. Sherman In
White Satin Gown.
Mrs Sherman, who stood next to
Mrs. Taft in the receiving line, wore
q beautiful gown of white satin en-
bossed in black velvet. Mrs. Knox,
wife of the Secretary of State, wore
striking gown of blue and gold bro
cade, and Mrs. MacVeagh wore GRIM
son satin veiled in black lace.
Mrs Meyer, wife of the Secretary of
the Navy, wore a stunning gown of
border of brown fur. Mrs. Ballinger's
gown was of pale blue satin with the
bodice of silver and crystal trimming.
Mrs. Nagel wore white satin with
an overdresS of black embroidered net
and diamond ornaments.
Miss Helen Cannon, daughter of the
Speaker, was handsomely gowned in
pale pink satin, with crystal and sill
yer trimming on the bodice.
Miss Nagel, daughter of the Secre-
tary of Commerce and Labor, wore
pale pink satin with bead embroidered
tuile ON the bodice.
Others handsomely gOwned were.
Mrs. Taylor. wife of Senator Robert
i. Taylor, of Tennessee, wore a be-
coming gown of pale blue satin with
a chiffon over-dress with trimmings of
silver. embroidery.
Mrs. Briggs, wife of Senator Frank
o. Briggs. of New Jersey, wore HAND
some white satin gown with diamond
ornaments.
George Sutherland, of Utah, wore april
cot satin trimmed in crystals.
Miss Edith Burnham, daughter of
Senator Burnham, of New Hampshire, |
Mrs. Gamble, wife of Senator Eobert |
J. Gamble, of South Dakota, wore a
white and corn-colored brocaded chif |
fon over satin trimmed in gold-beaded
Amsterdam, N. Y, who is Mrs. Gam
ble's house guest, wore white satin en- |
broidered in gold.
Mrs. Elmer ]. Burkett
In White Chiffon and Satin.
Mrs. Elmer ]. Burkett, wife of Sena- |
tor Burkett, of Nebraska, wore white /
chiffon cloth over satin bordered in a
sign of pink and green flowers. Miss
Burkett wore yellow satin with an
overdress of chiffon cloth, and Miss
Josephine Burkett wore white lace over
satin.
Mrs. ]. c. Burrows, wife of Senator
Burrows, of Michigan, wore sea-green |
satin with an overdress of rose point
applique.
Miss Sheffield, sister of Representa- |
tive Sheffield, of Rhode Island. wore |
white satin draped in white chiffon |
and trimmed in crystals.
Mrs. Lee, wife of Representative |
Gordon Lee, of Georgia wore a hand
some white satin gown trimmed in |
silver.
Mrs. Craven, wife of Representative |
Ben Craven, of Arkansas, wore a !
handsome gown of yellow chiffon !
broadcloth edged with yellow mara !
bou and trimmed in silver embroid-
cry.
Mrs Henry Allen Cooper. wife of |
Representative Cooper of WISCONSIN