The Washington herald., 1914-06-27
White House Rose Garden,
Setting for "MOvie" Drama
President Gipes EXCLUSIVE Party Special Treat to
Mrs. Wilson-Cabinet members and Wives View
Historic Reels Showing "Cabiria"

In the delightful setting Of the rose
White House last night, Gabrielle Dan
nunZio's historic moving-picture drama,
| ''Cabiria," was shown to President and
Mrs. Wilson, Cabinet members and
their wives and a few especial guests,
the party numbering about forty per-
sons.
President Wilson arranged the per-
formance with Augustus Thomas, the
playwright, who is a close friend of his
| and who staged the drama written by
D'Annunzio. the great italian poet, au-
| thor and dramatist. 1t was TO be a treat
to Mrs. Wilson, whose illness has kept
her from public entertainments for sew
| eral months, and IT evidently fulfilled its
purpose. The Presidents wife showed
keen appreciation throughout the per-
| formance, which lasted for two hours
| and a quarter.
Tom Moore, Manager.
The screen had been set up at the
west end Of the rose garden, close to
the executive Offices, and the spectators
chairs-commandeered from the band
stand-were placed on the lawn between
the two gravel paths which run parallel
to each other the length of the garden
screen and while the eight long reels
were run of operatIc music was played
Tom Moore, the movie" impresario Of
Washington, managed the affair at the
solicitation of Mr.. Thomas. He was as
sisted by Mrs. Moore and a corps OF
operators. The moving picture machine
was worked from a high table behind
the spectators and the pictures were pro-
Jected onto the screen with red, green
and Whifa lOhfa aNnOrdfn0 m the char
acter of the view.
The audience began to arrive as soon
as the Presidents family had finished
dinner, at which Mr.. Thomas was a
guest Among those who Joined the
movie party in the rose garden were
two of the Presidents daughters, Miss
Margaret Wilson and Mrs. William G..
McAdoo. who was accompanied by her
husband. the Secretary OF the Treasury.
Secretary of State Bryan and Mrs.
Bryan were there. as were Secretary Of
the Navy Daniels. Mrs. Daniels and their
boys, Secretary of Agriculture and Mis-.
Houston, Secretary Of the Interior and
Mrs. Lane, Secretary of War and Mrs.
Garrison, Secretary of Labor and Mrs
Wilson, Secretary of Commerce and Mrs
Redfieid and Postmaster General and
Mrs. Burleson. In addition there were
present Joseph P. Tumulty, secretary to
the President; Secretary Foster, DIR. Cary
T. Grayson, U. S. N. and several others.
wixhcd to Avoid Publicity.
Mr.. Foster. who looked after the
guests comforts, told reporters that q
guest list would not be given out as 1t
was merely q family AFFAIR and the
President and Mrs. Wilson wished as
little publicity as possible regarding IL.
Elaborate precautions were taken to pre-
vent Intrusion. Sergt. Williams, of the
White House guard. and a heavy detail
of police being stationed around the rose
garden during the performance.
D'Annunzio's ''Cabiria." which was pro-
duced at enormous expense, hundreds OF
people being employed and the pictures
made on the slope of Mount Etna and In
Egypt, actual scenes of the events
dipicted. Is called a historical vision of
the third century before Christ, when
Rome was ascending to the height of
her power. The heSet-s Cabiriaa is the