The Fargo forum and daily republican., 1916-12-16
SOCIAL SEASON AT WHITE HOUSE

Washington, Dec. 9.-The program
for the White House winter social
season 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 accordance with the custom Presi-
dent Wilson set Wen coming into
office
In place of the diplomatic reception
there will be two diplomatic dinners.
The Entente diplomats and all neu-
trails will be entertained at the first
and the Teutonic diplomats and all
neutrals will be guests at the second.
The embarrassments which would
be caused by inviting the representa-
tiyes of the warning powers to rub
elbows at the same reception may be
more imaginary than actual, but they
are regarded by the social managers
as having possibilities. notwithstand-
ing that it is said the ambassador
from one of the principal entente
allies and the amhS ssador from one
of the principal Teutonic powers al
ways exchange courteous greetings
when they pass on the street. How
ever. the program has been arranged
to keep the warning diplomats apart.
The social events all come on Tues
days instead Of Thursdays, as for
merly: the season begins earlier and
ends in February instead OF March,
probably due to the fact that the
White House wants 1t over by in
auguration time.
This is the program as officially an
nounced;
Dec. 12--Cabinet dinner. 8. o. m.
Jan. 9-Diplomatic dinner, s. u. m.
Jan. 16-Diplomstic dinner, s .. m.
Jan. 2S-Congressonal reception. 2
Jan. so-supreme court dinner. 8
p. m.
Feb. s-Army and navy reception,
Feb, 1S-Speakers' dinner, s D. m.
Before the war the diplomatic re-
ception was the social show of the
winter. Invitations were sought so
eagerly by those who We're 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
vited without his personal approval
In form the reception differed little
from those to congress, the army or
navy. or the judiciary. In fact it had
distinctly different atmosphere. The
brilliant uniforms Of the diplomats
and their aides. the distinctly foreign
manners Of many, and the ceremony
with which custom surrounds q Cffplo-
mat when he is out in full dress uni
form made the reception distinctive
from the others.
In a general way, all the receptions
are conducted alike. A few speciaI
guests are permitted to enter the main
door OF the executive mansion but
most enter at the east entrance and
after leaving outer garments in the
lower corridors Of the White House
FORM In long lines leading up the
marble staircase to the first floor and
into the Blue room where the presi-
dent and Mrs. Wilson, aided by mem
bers OF the cabinet and their wives
with army and navy aides in fun
dress receive them.
The introductions are made by an
aide: brief word of greeting is
spoken, followed by a hasty hand
Iasp ana the guest passes along to
the end Of the receiving line to spend
the remainder of the evening moving
| about or chatting with friends in the
crowd. Even to personal friends the
president or his wife cannot saw more
| than q word because to each OF the
receptions come between 1900 and
/ 1000 persons and things have to move
guests usually find a buffet iuncheon
and in opposite ends of the main COR
| rioor two sections OF the Marine hand
play almost continuously.
The nearer the top one is in official
Washington, the surer one is to re-
ceive invitations to these affairs. al
though some Of the receptions are not
so exclusive" as the others. The con-
sressional reception, for instance
usually finds the world and his wife
having a good time in the White House
and not always in evening dress.
In capital where there are hun
IuIeos OF persons not connected with
the government, but active in social
life. the limit to the number Of invi-
tations must be gauged by the capac-
lty OF the White House itself, IL there
We're no other reasons. 1t is not easy
Tor the social secretary and the force
OF clerks who handle the invitations to
discriminate. Failure to be invited to
at least one reception may not be fatal
to social aspirations but it is some-
thing TO be avoided by those VINO make
at least pretension to social promi-
lnence.
l Invitations, if anything. are not SO