Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1914-01-18
NEW YEARS GALL IS NOT OBSERVED President Wilson Firs to Disregard a Century
 Old Precedent.
WASHINGTON FIRST
He Held First Reception on Initial Day in New Y0rk-His Successors
 Followed Custom.
(BY SIDNEY ESPEY)

Washington, Jan. 17.-Still another century-old precedent was broker when no presidential reception was held at the White House on New Years Day.
 George Washington was the popu- larieer rather than the initiator o1 the New Year calling custom in this country. Following the first Presi- ] dents lead, the custom became ex- tremely popular with all classes of society.
 It's general popularity continued without abatement up to about thirty years ago, when it was placed under the ban by our ultra fashionables Since then the practice of making New Year calls has been gradually dying out in private life, although there have been local attempts at | revival of the old time spirit in sev- ! eral parts of the country in recent years.
 One of the main arguments used ill working up these revivals was the 1 fact that no President of the United States had ever failed to receive calls l on the first day of January during the period of his presidency. There fore, without intending to do so, Pres ident Wilson may have given the cus- tom it's death blow.
 Going back to. Washington'ss..ti time we find that the first New Year in the administration of the first Presi- dent was celebrated in New York, at | tha ttime the seat of the govern ment. According to a chronicle of the time, The President was waited upon by the principal men of the metropolis. He received his guests standing and with great formality. In the evening of this historic New Year Mrs. Washington held draw ing room." The guests were served with "tea, coffee, plain and plum cake" His wife stood by the Presi- dents side as the visitors arrived and were presented.
 Washington Was Pleased.
 The President was much pleased wit hhis first New Year in New York and acskd if such observances were customary. He was told that it was usual in continental Europe to make visits of felicitation on the first day of the year and that thls custom brought to New York by the Hugue- nots and Dutch, had always been ob- served there, whereupon the Presi. dent said:
 "The highly favored situation o1 New York will, in process of years attract numerous emigrants, whc will gradually change it's ancient customs and manners, but whatever changes take place, never forget the cordial and cheerful observance ol New Year day" Madison, who was present at this reception, was SO charmed with il that when he became President he immediately inauguarated the custom The first New Year reception in the White House took place in 1910, and there has been one on the first day of every year since that date.
 No matter what the condition oi the country, whether war and pesti. lence prevailed or all was fair throughout the land, the latchstrine of the White House has always been out on New Year day and the Presi- dent has stood ready to greet his fellow citiens and the foreign envoys resident at his capital.
 The Monries religiously followed the customs established by the Madi- sons and like them received on New Year Day. At that time only the chief officials of the government. the dip limatic corps, personal friends and men and women iistinguised in ht- arature or the arts wore expected. Publis Is Admitted. It was not until 1924 that the doors were thrown open to general A. -n~nu%inS> tA.r>lr esa the