The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1912-02-21
Two Thousand Attend
Last Nights White
/, House Reception.

Military and naval circles 1000 strong
Fattended the last White House recep-
lion of the season last night. Asked to
meet the members of the service were
q few ambassadors, ministers, and mill
tary and naval attaches of the en-
Daisies and legations in the Diplomatic
corps, and some few from official cir
gcles, but the predominance Of gold braid
and epaulets was easily apparent.
Seldom has the throng assembled in
the East Room been so great as it was
last night before the arrival of the
Z presidential party from the upper apart
ments. Promptly at $3.50 o'clock the
buglers heralded the approach of the
receiving party, preceded by the cOterie
/ of the Presidents military and naval
aides. After greeting the specially in
vited guests assembled behind the line
in the Blue Room, the President and
Mrs. Taft and the. Cabinet members
and their wives assisting, began the
reception of the long line of guests
from the East Room, which kept I'D
until nearly midnight. ...
Not In years has the official receiv-
Ing party at the White House been so
depleted as 1t has been this winter, and
especially last night The Secretary of
war and Mrs. Stimson, who have been
in mourning throughout the season, APP
peared last evening for the first time
The Secretary of. State and Mrs. Knox,
who have occupied second place all
winter because of the mourning of the
Vice President and Mrs. Sherman,
which has kept them away, were great
ly missed. Their Panama junket was
the subject for much comment and
Oh lA
Mrs. Meyer, wife of the Secretary of
the Navy, who is at their summer home,
In Hamilton, Mass, at the bedside of
their son, who recently suffered a frac-
ture of the leg, was also among the alb
sentees. The receiving line, therefore,
included in addition to the President and
Mrs. Taft, the Secretary of the Treas
3, ury and Mrs. MacYeagh, the Secretary
General and Mrs. Wickersham, the Sec
rotary of the Interior and Mrs. Fisher,
and the Secretary of Commerce and La
Dor and Mrs. Nagel. The Postmaster
General, the Secretary of the Navy.
and the Secretary of Agriculture were
also present during part of the evening,
standing close behind the line in the
Blue Room.
During the reception of the guests the
Marine Band played program of spir-
tied music in the lobby and later moved
into the East Room for the dancing,
which continued until early morning.
Floral Decorations
Exceptionally Beautiful.
Though the display of military and
naval insignia, flags, and emblems which
formerly adorned the corridor on the
occasion of the reception to the army
and navy, was missing last night, the
floral decorations were exceptionally
beautiful. Quantities of American
Beauty roses, red carnations, potted
azAleas in full bloom, and gorgeous or
chids banked the mantels and pianos
throughout. the state apartments and in
the state dining-rOom the long supper
table was adorned with profusion of
spring blossoms and yellow shaded
silver candelabra.
or all the official White House recep-
tions of the season the army and navy
is perhaps the happiest. and last night
was no exception to the rule An atmo-
sphere of congeniality pervaded and the
occasion was altogether most suspicious.
The admiral Of the navy, George
Dewey. and the chief of staff of the
army, Major General Leonard Wood,
headed the long line of guests, and
throughout the evening were constantly
greeting friends on all sides. The former
chief of staff, Gen. Nelson A. Miles,
was another conspicuous figure, accom-
panied by an interesting little group,
including his son, Lieut.. Sherman A..
Miles, and Mrs. Sherman Miles and the
Noble.
The former chief of the Army War
College, Brig. Gen w. w WotherspOon.
L. S. A., and Mrs. Wotherspoon, who
are leaving shortly for their new. post at
Atlanta, Ga, were surrounded through
out the evening by manv who desired to
wish them godspeed. General Wother-
spoons successor, General Mills, found
congratulation awaiting him on all
sides.
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