The Washington times., 1913-01-01
BRIGHT NEW YEAR
GLADLY WELCOMED
Brilliant Celebrations Are Headed by Last Reception of
Kind by President Taft, Who Greets
Thousands

is the watchword in officialdom and an
officer who follows the etiquette OF
New Year Day, established by long
custom, covers as much ground as on
practice hike.
Oldest Inhabitants.
The Oldest Inhabitants Association of
the District of Columbia. with its aged
and decrept members, yassed as quick
ly in review as did the Youngest Of
ficer in army or navy. and then the
most interesting, the most American
feature of the Presidents reception be-
gan.
Thousands of citizens had waited on
the wide pavement in front Of the
State, War and Navy Department since
early morning, many of them to view
the spectacle for the first time, while
others had faithfully stood in rain and
shine for many years that they might
enjoy the privilege of shaking the
Presidents hand. The line extended for
several blocks up Pennsylvania avenue,
and more varied view of American
citizenship could nowhere be found.
Prosperous citizens from al parts of
the United States who CHANGED TO be
passing through Washington grasped
the one opportunity of greeting the
President. while all conditions. colors.
and ages were represented. At first.
preparatory to entering the White
House, there was alert interest. but
as this throng wound through the White
House and out into the street through
the Eastern entrance. the interest dwin-
died down into getting inch at a time
nearer the entrance TO the historic
structure. and many lost courage and
dropped out, only to have still others
attach themselves to the whip end of
the line.
Taft Greets Each.
President Taft greeted every one, re-
gardless of station or condition. with
the same ready smile. He shook the
hand of an ambassador or Senator with
not less graciousness than he touched
the hand of some little pickaninny no
bigger than a football whom he sent
grinning down the line. For the lame
and halt there was a greeting from the
resident. and the line would grow thin
for a moment as some aide assisted
them into the East Room.
And while the grave and gay pageant
passed along. stepping lightly to the
dent and Mrs. Taft and the women of
the Cabinet stood in line at New
Year reception for the last time.
Just as the long line of army Officers
entered the Blue Room. Mrs. Knox.
who had stood next to Mrs. Taft, join
left the white House for the Building
of the Pan-American Union, where they
gave their annual breakfast to the
Diplomatic Corps. Mrs. MacVeagh. wife
Of the Secretary of the Treasury, moved
nearer Mrs. Taft. without the loss Of
even one handshake.
Sorrow For Sherman.
Hundreds of persons who had greet
ed the late Vice President and Mrs.
Sherman at the three former New Year
receptions, commented feelingiy upon
the death of the one and the absence
of the other.
Shortly after the reception to the
citizens began, the receiving line short
ened, and the Blue Room. which had
been filed with a merry chatting
throng, thinned out, as Mrs. Taft and
the invited guests went to the state
dining room for the breakfast laid for
them. The Cabinet members. all except
the Secretary of Agriculture, James
Wilson, left the Blue Room, while he
followed his custom OF remaining In
the room until the President shook the
last hand and was hurried away by
his aides.