The Fargo forum and daily republican., 1916-12-16

easy to obtain as they used to be. A
story told in social circles has 1t that
at the opening Of President Wilson'S
term certain senator OF Influence
sent to the White House for ten invi-
tattons issued In blank. in which he
wished to write the names of Constitu-
eIIts to whom he wished to show some
favor. The story has it that his re-
quest was refused with rebuke.
For Some Of the White House affairs
demand for invitations has been so
great that almost unheard OF subter-
fuges are used to obtain them and on
one occasion watchful door tenders
picked up admission tickets which
proved to be very clever forgeries.
The cabinet dinner which comes first
this year is 4 comparatively quiet at
fair, participated in only by the presi-
dent and his wife, the cabinet mem
bers and their wives and possibly a
half dozen invited guests. 1t takes
place in the state dining room and is
elaborate.
The two diplomatic dinners follow
and the neutrality of the White House
Is concerned in having each no less
brilliant, elaborate and attractive than
the other. The neutral diplomats by
the fortune OF war enjoy two dinners
instead of none at all. as they would
If the world were at peace.
The congressional reception from
point of numbers is the largest event
of the year. 1t Is always a Crush"
Every member of congress, any con-
stituents who happen in town, his
clerks and stenographers, and many
others not connected with the govern
ment at all are sure to be there. The
guests come in street cars and afoot as
we'll as in automobiles and carriages.
1t is the commoners' reception from
every point Of view but the White
House goes to no less pains with it.
The supreme court dinner Is a quiet.
dignified affair. It will be noted that
this years program contains no recep
tion to the judiciary, which from the
social point of view always was
rather solemn affair. 50 much so. that
1t was the only event for which the
demand for invitations did not exceed
the supply.
With the diplomatic reception out of
the way, the army and navv reception
becomes the most colorful and lively OF
all. Officers of the army, navy and
Marine Corps in full dress uniforms
resplendent with gold braids and
decorations give it an air Of brilliance
that is described as exhilarating.
The speakers. dinner. compare
lively new institution in White House
social annals. winds up the list and
generally is attended by cabinet men,
bers, leaders in congress and q few
others enjoying intimate relations with
the speakers Of the house of repre-
sentatives.
The elimination of the tlmc-honored
New Years reception marked the
passing Of what actually was n physi-
cal endurance test on the part Of the
president. In years gone by az many
as 10000 persons had passed through
the White House in few hours on
New Years day to grasp the presi-
dents hand for brief moment. The
Marine band always played its liveliest
auicksteps and for four or five hours
the line would pour in one door and
out the other. Ex-Presidents Roosevelt
and Taft set some handshaking rec
ords, meeting 5000 and 10000 people at
a. reception. 1t is said that one presi-
dent. long since dead, solved the
problem by standing In front Of a
velvet curtain, through slit in which
relay of aides stretched their hands
under the presidents right arm, and,
as the visitors crushed the hands Of
the aides the president bowed and
smiled appropriately and kept his own
right hand unharmed.