The Washington times., 1912-01-24
Distin suished Company
Gathers at One Of Largest
Receptions Ever Held

ANCSCPsAOiio AvSi AASio
The White House was the scene Of a
stately and digaificd function last night
when the President and Mrs. Taft were
hosts at their annual reception in honor
OF the Judiciary. 1t was one Of the
largest that has ever been held at the
Executive Mansion Ia honor Of the staid
legal lights and dignitaries of the Uni
ted States, In the distinguished COM
pahy asked to meet them were many
from diplomatic and official circles,
from resident society OF washington,
and a goodly contingent from out Of
town.
A PROPULSION of flowers adorned che
occasion. ana In the Red and Green
pa riors tire most attractive spous were
the cheerful log fres IN the oiu-1ash-
imed open fire places. The Marine
lobby PLAYED a program OF gala music
throughout the reception, and Mt IL
o'clock moved into the East Koom
Tor the dancing. in which the Younger
contingent among the guests lnruised
Until after midnight
In the state dining rom an elaborate
buffet SUPPER was served tnronBnout the
evening
The President and
Mrs. Taft Arrive.
Promptly at $50 o'clock the trumpet
idene and Mrs Taft, and the receiving,
line, including the Cabinet members and
their wives who descended from. the
upper apartments and took their places
In the Bite Room. An innovation IN the
usual routine OF the receptions OF the
when. instead If facing south, with the
receiving party in the Blue Room at
their backs. the President and Mrs.
TAFT and the receiving line stood with
their backs to the south windows, d.
rectly facing those invited to the Blue
In place Of the Chief Justice and Mrs.
White. who were absent from the re-
ception on account Of mourning. MI.
Justice and Mrs. McKenna were the
first to pass down the line and greet
the President and Mrs. Taft. ,'''
The Vice President and Mrs. Sfer.
man and the Secretary of War and
Mrs. Stimson are in mourning. so the
receiving line last night included only
the Secretary of State and Mrs. Knox.
who stood next to the President and
Mrs. Taft; the Secretary OF the Treas
ury and Mrs. MacVeagh, the Attorney
rotary Of the Navy and Mrs. Meyer,
the Secretary Of the Interior and Mrs.
Fisher. the Secretary Of Commerce and
Labor and Mrs. NageI; The postmast ,n.
Secretary OF Agriculture. James VIII
son, also came downstairs with the
Presidential party but did not remain
long behind the line. circulating around
through the various drawing rooms
chatting with friends.
The Attorney General and Mrs Wick
ersham took their places last night for
the first time this season, having been
~ HNnv, thn nj Of
previous receptions. the New Year and
the Diplomatic.
The President Chats
With His Guests.
After greeting the last guest the
President accompanied. by Lieutenant
Timmons. u s. A., partook Of refresh
ments in the state DINING room and
held one or two apparently interesting
conferences with some Of his guests.
including the former Secretary Of War,
Jacob M. Dickinson, and Senator Muir
ray Crane of Massachusetts,.
Mrs. Taft was served in the Blue
Room and later poinSd the spectators of
the dancing In the East Room. Former
an interested spectator in the East
Room for a time, accompanied by Mr..
Justice Hughes. former governor of
As at ali of the White House func-
tons the gowns worn by the feminine
guests We're particularly handsome.
Though the conventional evening black
worn by the majority of the masculine
corresponds as we'll with feminine finery
as the gold lace and braid of the Dip
lomats or the military, the scene was q
brilliant one.
Mrs. Taft's Gown
Was of Green Brocade.
Mrs. Taft wore a handsome gown OF
green brocade velvet with a bandeau
and collar of diamonds. Mrs Knox,
who stood to her left, wore white satin
yelled in lace and tulle. Mrs. Mac
Veagh wore green satin yelled In italian
lace with diamond necklace and tiara
Mrs. Meyer wore gold brocade with rope
and dog collar Of pearls, and Mrs. Wick
ersham wore pale blue velvet and silver,
and Mrs. Nagel wore mauve crepe me-
teor and silver.
Miss Helen Taft. who was the center
o. attraction in the younger set, wore
gold and white brocaded satin, and her
cousin, Miss Harriet Anderson, wore
white satin yelled in jetted tulle. Miss
Letterman wore black velvet with
touches of gold lace and brilliants on
the bodice.
Mrs. McKenna In
Gown of Purple Satin.
Mrs. McKenna. wife of Mr.. Justice
Joseph McKenna, of the Supreme Court,
was in purple satin yelled in black
chiffon with touches of rose point lace
and gold embroidery.
Mrs. Horace Fl. Lurton, wife of Mr..
Justice Lurton, was in a Paquin gown
OF soft white satin with an overdress
OF black and white lace embroidered
with black beads.
Mrs. Horace H. Lurton, jr., was in
old rose chiffon over satin with
touches Of gold.
Miss Katherine Morgan. of Tennessee
q niece of Mr.. Justice and Mrs. Lurton
who is spending the winter with them
wore white satin draped In white EN-.
broidered chiffon.
Mrs. Hughes, wife of Mr.. Justice
Charles Evans Hughes. was In a gowr
of white satin with a tunic Of pale blue
chiffon richly embroidered in white silk
Mrs Lamar. wife of Mr.. Justice La
mar, was in pale blue satin made with
an overdress of embroidered net. Tht
bodice was adorned with lace and pear
embroidery
Mrs. Van Devanter, wife of Mr.. Jus
tice Van Devanter, wore pale blue
satin yelled in chiffon with crystal trim
mings.
Miss Elisabeth Howry. daughter Of
JUDGE Charles 3. Howry Of the Cour
OF Claims. was in emerald green satir
embroidered in crystals.
Miss Mary HoWrY's yOwn was Of