The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-01-02
|ALL ATTENDANCE
RECORDS BROKEN
President Taft Shakes Hands OF
More Than 1000
People.
LAST PUBLIC RECEPTION
Citizens of All Glasses Make Up
Tremendous Throng at
White House.
PUBLIC RECEPTION

White House attracted to-day one or
The greatest crowds that ever has
gathered at the executive mansion.
Clear ekees and late fnlf weather
brought out the general public In en-
traordinary numbers, and a new record
for attendance OF private citizens prob
ably was established. surrounded by
his family. members OF his Cabinet
and q distinguished company. the
President received officials and citi-
zens OF high and low degree. and when
the last caller had been greeted Mr.
Taft had shaken hands with more than
1000 persons.
The reception began shortly before
noon. members OF the CABINET and the
diplomatic corps being received hrst
Next were the justices of the United
States Court and other Federal Courts
United States ambassadors and minis
ttrs. Senators and representatives,
army and naval officers. a long line OF
other officials and members of mill
tary societies and other organizations
Then came the public.
The White House reception, always
the New Years Day feature in the
Capital. preceded numerous other bril-
liant affairs. Secretary of stat Ind
Mrs. Knox entertained the membe.s OF
the diplomatic corps at breakfast at
the Pan-American building. nearly
every foreign nation with embassy or
legation here being represented.
Line Forms Early.
Long before the time at which the
chief executive of the nation was
ready 10 shake hands with every citi-
zen who cared 10 avail himself Of the
privilege. men. women and children
stood in line from the front door of
White House TO the distant gate and
far beyond toward the state, War and
Navy building.
The rich and gorgeous uniforms of
the foreign diplomats, the gold lace
of the long line of American army and
navy officers, and in the background
the brilliant scarlet coats of the Ma
rine Band We're features in the NOV
ing picture of the days events at the
White House. with the colorless cos
tunes of thousands of ordinary citi-
zens.
The President and Mrs. Taft prepared
at IL o'clock to wish a happy New Year
first TO members OF the Cabinet and
their wives and to the diplomatic
corps: those We're followed by TIE
members of the Supreme Court and by
the Judges of the other courts here;
then former Cabinet officers, arnbassa-
doris and ministers: next members OF
Congress: then the army, navy and
Marine Corps officers; after whfcA came
a long line OF government oficiats,
members of commissions, then mem
bers of the G. A r. and a NUMBER OF
other military societies.
After all these had been greeted, the
doors of the White House stood open
TO the humhlest citizen in the land.
and he. too. was assured of hearty
handshake and a smile.
President Taft will be the rlcher oy
the good wishes OF thousands and
thousands of his fellow-citizens for the
year in which he and all the worio
nave entered. and which will witness
bis return to pursuits of his own
choosing. He was greeted. besides. by
the representatives of many foreign
countries. to whom the annual rune
ton Is accorded the greatest admira-
ton because of It's extreme simphc1tE'
and whose New Year greetings were
couched in the complimentary phrases
of the courts OF the Old Worio-
New Year Day reception at the
White House differs but little if"il
the one which preceded II, unless IL
has the thrill of the first which new
president holds or is prefaced BY the
word last" That brief adjective TO-
DAY set a lot OF people thinking anu
saying how pleasant the White House
has been to those who Trequehteo ~
the past four years. during WhIch
time the silver wedding anniversary
| of the President and the social oeput
| If his only daughter were fetes Oh
Worldwide note. To-day he and MIS-.
| Taft began the last of their oinc'al
receptions. the concluding feature Va
| which will be the honored guests.
To-day's reception was surrounded oS
! all the ponp and ceremony democratic
| ,,,de,cies hermit The Marine Band
! pIaved in the corridor and each OF the
! state parlors had a tasteful decora-
ton OF flowers on the mantels and
tables.