New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-12-10
President Again Abandons
Reception to Avoid
UnpleasantnesS
TEUTONS AT ONE MEAL
ALLIES AT ANOTHER
White House Season Will
BE Completed Before
Inauguration

Washington, Dec. 9.-The programme
for tho White House winter social sea-
son has been announced, and as was
generally expected, it omits the colorful
diplomatic reception, because Of the
war, and also the time-honored New
Years reception for the public, in ac-
oordance with the custom President
Wilson set when coming into Office.
In place Of the diplomatic reception
there will be two diplomatic dinners.
The Entente diplomats and all neutrals
will be entertained at the first. and the
Toutonic diplomats and all neutrals at
the second
The social events all come on Tues
days instead of Thursdays, as former
ly; the season begins earlier and ends
in February, instead Of March, probably
due TO the fact that the White House
wants il over by inauguration time.
This is the programme as officially
announced: December II, Cabinet din
ner; December 10, judicial reception;
January 9, diplomatic dinner; January
Is. diplomatic dinner; January %, Con-
,gressional reception; January 30, Su-
preme Court dinner; February 6, army
and navy reception; February IL,
Speakers dinner.
Diplomats the Most Brilliant
Before the war the diplomatic recep-
ton was the social show of the winter.
In form the reception differed little
from those to Congress, the army or
navy. or the judiciary, but IN fact, IL
had a distinctly different atmosphere.
The brilliant uniforms of the diplomats
and their aids the distinctly foreign
manners of many and the ceremony
with which custom surrounds diplo-
mat when he is out in full dress uni
form made the reception distinctive.
In a general way, all the receptions
arc conducted alike. A few speciai
guests are permitted to enter the man
Goor but most enter at the east en-
trance and form in long lines leadlng
mn the marble staircase TO the nIsI
foor and into the Blue Room, where the
President and Mrs. Wilson, alded oy
members Of the Cabinet and tneiT
wives, with army and navy AIDS IN IU'i
dress, receive them.
Invitations Become scarcer
The nearer the top one Is IN omc ..'
Washington the surer one Is to reeelYe
invitations to these affairs al'houe'
some Of the receptions are not so eN
elusive" as the others. The congress
sional reception. for instance; usuaHy
fnds the world and his wife having q
good time in the White House ana ho'
always in evening dress.
In a capital where there are nun
dreds Of persons not connected WIN
the government, but active IN soelal
life. The limit to the number OF INV
tstions must be gagged by the capae'
itv of the White House. 1t is not easy
for the social secretary to discrim-
nate Failure TO be invited 20 at least
one rcception may not be fatal to So
cial aspirations, but 1t is something
to he avoided by those who make q
rretension to social prominence
For some Of the White House az al,
fairs demand for invitations has been
co great that almost unheard OF SUB,
terfugos are used to obtain them, ana
ON one occasion watchful door tenders
nicked up admission tickets "hich
proved to be clever forgeries'