The Washington times., 1912-01-01

annual New Year reception Of the Presl-
dent and Mrs. Taft Mt the White House,
today. was particularly brilliant af-
fair. Though the feminine contingent
at this reception is somewhat limited,
comprising only the few from official
dom asked to receive In tile Blue Room,
the wives and daughters of the dipio-
mats. the ladies of the judiciary, some
few from Congressional circles. and a
few distinguished visitors from out of
town, 1t sets a standard for fashionable
dressink FOR the remainder Of the sea-
son.
Mrs. Taft, who has set an admirable
example and displayed fine sense of
the fitness. Of things In the gowns she
has worn at all official functions since
the inaugural ball Of 1909, wore. a gown
draped tunic effect Of black chiffon.
heavily embroidered and beaded with
jet. She. carried a bouquet of white
Miss Helen Taft, who was conspicu-
Gus figure throughout the entire morn
ing. mingling freely throughout the
various state apartments, chatting here
and there with groups Of friends, was
becomingly attired In a white charmeuse
satin gown, made with a tunic effect of
coral pink chiffon.
The group OF Cabinet ministers and
their wives receiving with the President
ably smaller than usual Vice President
and Mrs. Sherman, Secretary of War
and Mrs. Stimson. and Attorney General
and Mrs. Wickersham were absent from
their customary places, the first two
because of mourning in their families,
and the Attorney General and Mrs.
Wickersham because Of absence from
the city on a holiday jaunt to Panama.
Corps, the French Ambassador and
Nine. Jusserand and the Netherlands
Minister and Nine. Loudon.
Mrs. Knox's Stunning Gown.
Mrs. Shcrmans customary place In
the receiving line, next to Mrs. Taft,
therefore was occupied by Mrs. Knox.
wife of the Secretary of State. Mrs.
Knox, always one Of the best-gowned
women in Washington society on all
occasions, wore this morning a particu-
larly stunning gown OF heavy, soft,
black satin, with tunic OF greenlsh
gold gauze, heavily embroidered In the
same color. The tunic was sIashed to
the hips, at either side, and caught
about a foot from the hem with a huge
| rosette of black satin, with the front
panel squared and the back rounded to
conform with the lines OF the train to
bordered with deep band Of marabou,
and the bodice was finished with a
yoke of creamy, white lace threaded
with gold. At the reception, of course,
no hats were worn by the receiving
party, but at the breakfast at which the
Secretary and MIS-. Knox were hosts 10
the Diplomatic Corps, Immediately aft
erward. Mrs Knox wore with this gown
a hat Of gold lace, faced with black vel
vet, and trimmed with a single willow
plume held In place with gold rose.
Mrs.. Macveagh Attractive.
Mrs. Macyeagh, wife Of the Secre-
tary Of the Treasury, who stood next
in line to Mrs. Knox, wore a handsome
costume Of light banana -colored bro
caded satin, with handsome pearl
ornaments.
Mrs Meyer, wife Of the Secretary of
the Navy. was stately figure In a
costume of midnight blue velvet, with
touches Of chiffon on the bodice.
Mrs. Nagel, wife CT the Secretary of
Commerce and Labor. also wore blue
velvet, with chiffon and lace on the
bodice.
Miss Meyer. daughter OF the Secretary
of the Navy, wore beautiful gown of
nauve-colored silk with girdle of gray
md oliver, and Miss Alys Never wore a
similar gown Of the same material with
q girdle Of green and silver.
Miss Nagel daughter of the Secretary
of Commerce and Labor, wore a Decom-
ing afternoon costume Of w!ne-cclorcd
velvet.
Mrs. Champ Clark who appeared in
the Blue Room this morning for the
first time in her official capacity as the
wife Of the Speaker II the House. wore
whit, satin. with broad band Of pastel
colored embroidery at the hem Of the
tunic and on the bodice.
Mrs. Beekman Winthrop, wife of the
Assistant Secretary Of the Navy, always
Handsomely gowned, wore a striking
gown Of rode satin Neilcd in raisin-
colored chiffon.
Some Striking Costumes.
Mrs Edward D. White. wife of the
Chief Justice. wore a simple mourning
costume Of black. Others in the judi
cial coterie were Mrs. Charles E.
Hughes, who wore green and pink
changeable velvet, veiled in a tunic of
green, embroidered in beads; Mrs. Hor-
ace Lurton. in white satin draped In
gray chiffon, embroidered in silver; Mrs.
willis Van Devanter, old blue chiffon
cloth over lighter blue satin, with bands
OF black fur. and rich lace and en-
broidery on the bodice. Mrs. Horace
t. w1re SeiSet Eeives Sa ana Msa
Katherine Morgan. of Tennessee. who
accompanied her, also wore calling
costume of black velvet, with black
velvet plumed hat.
Mrs. Joseph Rucker Lamar wore black
lace over blue satin with touches OF
blue and lace on the bodice.
Mrs Oliver Wendell Holmes wore
black taffeta and jet and Mrs. Joseph
Mckenna wore black chiffon over black
with touches of oriental embroidery on
the bodice.
From Diplomatic Corps.
The British amba ssador. James Bryce,
was the first Of the mornings callers
to extend the greetings Of the season to
the President and Mrs. Taft. passing
down the receiving line at the head of
the entire Diplomatic Corps.
In the absence Of the dean Of the