Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1916-12-10
WHITE HOUSE GIVES OUT
LIST OF SOCIAL EVENTS
War in Europe Necessitates Two
Dinners for Diplomatic
Representatives.
JUDICIAL RECEPTION OMITTED
Many SubteHfuges Rcsortcd TO in
Order to Obtain Invitations to AZ
fairs-FOrce of Clerks Has Diff
ficult Task.

WASHINGTON. December 9.-The
program for the White House winter
social season has been announced and,
as was generally expected, 1t omits the
colorful diplomatic reception. because
OF the war. and also the time-honored
New Years reception for the public. in
accorda 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 ncutrals
will be entertained at the first and the
Teutonic diplomats and all neutrals
will bn guests ut the second.
The embarrassmentS which would bc
caused by inviting the representatives
of the warning powers to rub elbows
1T the same reception may he more
imaginary than actual, but they are
regarded by the social managers as
that it is said the amba from che
Of the principal entente allies and the
ambassador from one Of the principal
Teutonic powers always exchange
courteous greetings when they pass
the street
The social events all come on Tues
days instead Of Thursdays. as formerly.
The season begins earlier and ends in
February instead of March, probably
due 10 the fact that the White House
wants il over by Inauguration time.
This is the program as OIL ially an
nounced:
December l2-Cabtnct dinncr. s =. NJ.
January 9-Diplomatic dinner. p. NJ.
January 16-Diplomatic dinn,r, s
r. NJ.
January 23-Consrcssional recep-
ton. T.. NJ.
January 3o-suprcmc Court dinner.
s +. NJ
February 6-Army and navy reccp-
ton, Q r. NJ
February l2-speakcrs dinner. s
DIPLOMATIC RECEPTION
SOCIAL SHOW OF WINTEI;
Before the war the diplomatic re-
ception was the social show of the
winter Invitations were sought so
eagerly by those who were not quite
sure to be invited that the President
set the rule OF placing an arbitrary
limit on the number. outside OF the
diplomatic corps who were to be in
vitcd without his personal approval
In form ihc reception differed little
from those to Congress, the army or
navy. or the judiciary. In fact. il had
n distinctly different atmosphere The
brilliant uniforms OF the diplomats and
their aids, the distinctly foreign man
ncrs of many, and the ceremony with
which custom surrounds a diplomat
when he is out in full-dress Uniform
made the reception distinctive froin the
others.
In general way, all the receptions
are conducted alike. few special
guests are permitted to enter the main
door cf .thc executive mansion but
most enter at the east entrance and
after leaving outer garments i'm the
lower corridors of the White House
form in long lines leading up the mar
bic Staircasc to the first floor and into
the Blue Room. where the President
and Mrs Wilson, aided by members OF
the Cabinet and their wives. with army
and navy aids I'm full-drcss, receive
them.
The introductions are made by an
aid brief word Of greeting il
spoken, followed by a hastv handclasp.
and the guest passes aloDe to the end
OF the receiving line. TO srcnd the re-
nainder Of the evening moving about
or chatting with friends In tho crowd.
Even to personal friends the President
or his wife cannot say more than Il
word, because 10 each OF the receptions
come between 1900 and 1000 ,ersons.
and things have To move on time. In
the state dining room the guests
usually find II buffet luncheon. and In
opposite ends or the main corridor two