Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1913-01-03
Of President Taft Held in
The White House.
Reception 10 One Of Greatest
Crowds Ever Gathered.
Numerous Other Brilliant Socia | At
fairs Follow Executive Reception.

Washington, Jan. president Tafts
last New Years reception at the White
House attracted, Wednesday, one OF
the greatest crowds that ever has
gathered at the Executive Mansion
Clear skies and late fall weather
brought out the general public in ex
traordinarys numbers. and a new rec
ord for attendance of private citizens
was probably established. Surrounded
by his family, the members of his
cabinet and distinguished company
the President received officials and
citizens of high and low degree. and
when the last caller had been greet
ed 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 first
Next were the justices of the United
States supreme court, and other feder-
al courts, United States ambassadors
and ministers, senators and represen-
tatives, army and navy officers, long
line of other officials and members of
military societies and other organiza-
tons. Then came the public.
The White House reception, always
the New Years day feature in the
Capital, was followed by numerous
other brilliant affairs. Secretary OF
State and Mrs. Knox entertained the
members of the diplomatic corps at
breakfast at the Pan-Ameriean build
ing, nearly every foreign nation with
embassy or legation here being repre-
scented.
The official reception beginning
shortly before noon, moved Oh with
out incident the guests departing
shortly after greeting the President
and Mrs. Taft Ambassador James
Bryce, attending his last New Years
reception at the White House, since
he will soon leave his post, was one
of the centers of attention and shared
more than usual notice with several
other members of the diplomatic corps
attending their first function of the
kind.
Admiral Dewey drove to the White
House in his carriage and did not ar
rive with the other navy officers, VINO
marched to the mansion in a body from
the navy department.
When the official part of the recep-
ton had passed the doors were thrown
open to the waiting line which by
that time stretched far outside the
grounds and the large party of citi-
zens, men, women and children, many
meeting President Taft face to face
for the first time, began passing be-
fore the Chief Executive. The line
was moved as rapidly by the Presi-
dents aides as comfort permitted SO
that as many as possible might shake
hands with Mr.. Taft before he became
too wearied. AS the line passed him
Mr.. Taft had a hearty grasp and a
pleasant smile for each visitor. Many
hung back for an instant to say 2
word or two to the President and in
each instance the President acknoWl-
edged the visitors greeting with
word or a smile before the pressing
| throng behind hurried him along.
Once, during the course of the re-
ception, President Taft himself was
momentarily retired as. the center o
all interest when two Indians IRON
the state of Washington marched III
to greet him. One chief, wearln;
patent leather bedroom slippers and |
modern suit, topped off by blazln;
red bandana, and the other wrapped
i'm a. huge Buffalo robe. shook hand
with the President and then in tn
east room held an impromptu reeep
ton of their own.
After the line of citizens had bee
passing before the President NOR
than an hour it still extended dow
Pennsylvania avenue two blocks.
i apparently was the largest reception
Mr.. Taft had held.
| The days celebration at the Whit
House was closed at night by Me-
Years dance in honor of the Presi
dents son, Charles. The affair wa