The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1920-01-01
New Years Day At Capital
Not Like the Old Times
Presidential Receptions of Roosevelt and Taft Abolished
by Wson-Army and Navy Men Also Observe Day
Differently Against Coffee Company

the coming of Bryan and Daniels, New
Years Day was the day of all days Of
the year in army and navy circles. Every
officer of the army, every officer of the
navy, came to Washington on that day.
They made every sacrifice within reason
to get to this city. And having arrived
they mingled in good old English Gus
tom.
The army officers went into every do.
partment for the purpose Of n,eeti,s- +ho
various chiefs. And in every office drinks
M iNeu. mere was eggnog and the
open decanter Late in the afternoon
when the round of visits had been con,
Guided, every officer was in thar stat,
ol mlnd where the dreariest outlook con-
s,ituted roSeate landscape The officers
u the navy, If such be possible were
even more festive and hilarious Rut
with wilson came Bryan and Daniels and
.neh pronibltion and the new order of
.ninss, ana the old English custom went
the way of the roses. II is nov, AZ AZ
ciared officially that the pursuit Of the
custom IN England is responsible for the
tragic example of ineffciencv set by tbe
hhghsh navy during the recent war
ana all previous wars of history. John
bull organization is regarded by the
modern school in Washington as de-
cadent, the horrible example of period
ica inebriety.
The White House reception on New
Years Day when Roosevelt was President
ana when Taft was President was great
institution. 1t was announced prior to
the day that the President after o'clock.
January /, would receive every man.
woman or child, of whatever race. color
or religion, yho desired to present him
self And, cas- a result, there was nc
household in Washington following 9
o'clock. in which there was maid or a
man servant. Each had previously an
nounced: Use got to trabel now for the
line to the White House is formin'." And
they travelled
The line in question extended from the
White House door for blocks. wrapped
itself. as matter of fact, completely
around the treasury building. In that
line were representatives of all the races
and colors and creeds. a motley but
most democratic assemblage. Here were
seen standing side by side an Indian and
Hottentot. Turk and a Chnaman,
coachman in full regalia and chamber
maid. negro of the honest and unpre-
tentious corn-field variety and a modern
representative of that race. There was
the merchant, the doctor and the candle
stick maker-the butcher and the police
man and the policeman's wife and seven
children.
At the entrance of the blue room Roose-
Welt stood. Colonel Fostesque, the Pres
dents aid, met the visitors AS each
entered he spoke his name.
And the colonel. in loud voice would re-
peat: 'Mr Ii Hung Chang" Whereupon
the President would grasp the hand of
Mr.. Ii Hung Chang, and with that ro-
tary motion of the wrist, which became
widely known and popular. would forcibly
indicate to Mr.. Ii Hung Chang that as
far as he was concerned the festivities
of the day had come to en- end. No word
was spoken The President beamed and
showed his teeth. but Mr.. Ii Hung
CEangs pleasant and well rehearsed
speech was never delivered He had
scarcely entered when he found himself
going out. But he carried with him
sensation of having. in doubtful man
ner, experienced very happy day in a
very few seconds
And thus throughout the long hours
the President continued to receive. 1t is
possible the day was an awful day from
his viewpoint. But there was no question
but that the thousands who went home
with stories of having shaken the hand
of Mr.. Roosevelt had lived the red letter
CAV of their little lives
The Taft receptions were identical with
those of Mr.. Roosevelt. Captain Archi-
bald Butt stood where Colonel Fortesque
had stood. His voice was not as resound-
ing as that of the colonel. but he made a
more. graceful figure. Tafts smile was
everywhere in evidence. He did not twist
his wrist when shaking hands and thus
send the guest speeding on his way as
was the custom of Roosevelt. But as he
bowed he gently placed his free hand on
the shoulders of the visitor and thus
guaranteed his early and his immediate
departure.
But those days have gone. Washing
ton, now is more dignified and more moral
certainly less frivolous. 1t is only the
serious side on which mortals look. In
consequence the representative of the Chi
nese government is in a class by him
self He puts on his queue. Other men.
on the first day of the year, repeat their
actions of the last day of the previous