Imperial Valley press., 1913-10-31
AS 1T WAS IN WASHINGTON
AND AS 1T MAY BE THIS YEAR

Boston Globe: General impression
to the contrary Notwithstanding the
Tafts were much more democratic in
the matter of their entertainments
than the Roosevelts. Wealth and So
cial standing outside the official cir
cles appealed to the Roosevelts more.
Also they were more exclusive in the
matter of invitation and the opening
of the white house to general visitors.
The four regular big receptions, the
diplomatic, the judicial, the army and
navy and the congressional, were
much livelier under the Tafts than un
der the Roosevelts. No refreshments
were served at all by the Roosevelts,
except to those who formed the recen
tion party. When ordinary guests had
passed through in line and while they
stood about the east room chatting,
the president, Mrs. Roosevelt and their
special guests marched out between
the ranks, went upstairs and there had
a little supper. The ordinary guests
were then left to take care of them
selves.
1t was totally different with the
Tafts. A buffet supper was always
served in the state dining room in the
west wing of the white house to which
all guests were bidden. Also, after
the handshaking was over, the Marine
band played in the east room for those
who wished to dance This was kept
up until midnight. Under the Roose
velt administration the ordinary
guests were usually out of the white
house by II o'clock, there being noth-
ing for them to do but leave after they
had shaken hands and seen the elect
parade by to supper.
How these affairs will be handled
by the Wilson's remains to be seen,
yet the indications are that they will
be simpler and marked by less osten-
tation than in many years. Down in
their hearts the Wilson's care abso-
lutely nothing for society as spelled
with a big "S" They run rather to
culture that to show and have always
mingled with set of highly educated
people who moved in small circles.
They enjoy quiet dinner parties and
receptions, but that they will enjoy
the semi-official whirl in Washington
is doubtful. 1t is also doubtful if they
will go any farther toward cultivating
taste for it than they have to.
In the first place President Wilson
is not a wealthy man. In fact, he Is
far from it, and, while congress makes
cartain allowances for the mainten
ance of the white house, the president
who wishes to entertain on anything
like lavish scale must draw on his
own purse for additional funds. More
over, every act of the Wilson's up to
date has indicated that they prefer
simple entertainments.
The Wilson's will, Of course, give the
regular official dinners, and it is prob
able that Mr.. Wilson will follow Nj.
Taft in giving more recognition to Of
ficial position in the matter of invita-
tion to white house functions than did
Mr.. Roosevelt. There is also Miss
Jessie Wilson's wedding, which prom
ises to be lively affair.
AS to, the Wilson cabinet, there is a
fear it will not do much entertaining.
Mrs. Bryan will do some, but the fact
that nothing but grape juice will be
served at her dinners and receptions
will put something of a damper on
them. Mrs. Daniels, wife of the Sec
retary Of the navy, is home-loving
woman, who likes to give home-like
entertainments, but who does not run
to showiness. The same may be said
Of Mrs. Burleson, wife of the postmas-
ter-general; Mrs. Redfield, wife Of the