Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1921-01-12

Society Wonders if Recep'
tions Are to Remain in
the Discard.
BY ROBERT T. SMALL.


MARION. Ohio. January 1e.-Iiaving
called off the inaugural festivities at
| Washington in the interest of national
thrift and economy. there is con-
siderable speculation here as to how
far the home" and official life Of the
Hardings in the White House will go
in the same direction.
There has been somewhat general
impression that with the advent of a
! new administration much of the old
pomp and circumstance connected
with the executive mansion would be
revived. So many time-honored Gus
toms of the White House have fallen
by the wayside during the Wilson
term of eight years it was thought
return to normalcy would mean the
| ire-establishment of the old ceremonies
and functions.
Senator Harding. however. declines
to commit himself at this time as to
was asked, for instance. if he would
begin anew the old practice of hold
ing e. public reception on New Year
day. He replied frankly that he did
not know. He said there would be
time enough to consider the question
later on.
The same reply was given as to a
possible resumption of the so-called
state receptions. which in the past
have been divided into four occasions,
namely. the diplomatic reception. the
judiciary reception, the Army and
Navy reception and the congressional
One by one these receptions have
disappeared from the White House
life during the Wilson administra-
ton. For the most part. there have
been impelling reasons for the omis-
sions. but the absence of the func-
tions has made quite a dent in the
Washington social season. and Sena-
tor and Mrs. Harding have been look
ed to as likely to make the White
House afresh the center of official
society.
Senator Harding's friends insist that
he has a very wholesome dislike for
set ceremonies and for anything par
/. taking of the character of a function.
No palmer man in the way of living
and thinking has been elected to the
presidency since Lincoln. The Hard
ings always have been known for
their hospitality, but it has been
hospitality of the transformations sort
and neither the senator nor his wife
has any patience for entertaining
merely for show"
May Revive Some Customs.
1t is possible. of course, and even
likely, that some of the customs of
former years will be revived, but the
scale. The reception to the public
each New Year. while a trying ordeal
for a President, always was regard
ed in the past as touch of real de-
mocracy. which for this one occasion
brought the president actually in con-
tact with the people. The state re-
ceptionS reached climax of hospi-
tality during the Taft administration,
when buffet suppers and dancing We're
added to the ordinary program of
FArSNF ana fln h h he
and formal presentation to the
presidential party.
Being man of plain habits and
thoughts. Senator Harding is looking
forward to many of the features of
the life of a President with a good
become reconciled to the idea that as
President he cannot follow his own
inclination; but must be more or less
set apart from his fellow man. For
the several weeks he has been back
in Marion since the election he has
enjoyed as much freedom possible.
but he seems to realize that when
he leaves here within the next ten
days or 80 the actual parting Of the
ways will come and much OF the old
life must remain behind.
Must stand for Valet.
The senator has enjoyed walking
about the streets of the old home
town and calling on his friends and
neighbors. He often has appea red at
the Marion Club. and from time to
time has conducted many of the ma
tion's best minds to the club to
meet the people of Marion at informal
receptions.
The other day. when Senator Charles
Curtis of Kansas. was here. Senator
Harding walked downtown with his Wis
itor and the two dropped into a shoe
shining parlor. where they attracted no
unusual attention at all. They simply
sat there and discussed national and in
ternational affairs while two interna-
tional bOotblacks were busy with their
brushes and cloths. One of the great
changes to come in the senator's life
after he reaches the White House will
be the acquisition Of man servant
The senator never has had such luxury ,
in all of his life. When Mrs. Harding
has not been around to do it for him. he
has packed his own grips. He has al
ways bought his own clothes and known
inst where to find his own favorite neck
tie. At the White House things are to
he different Senator Harding is to in
herit the same capable personal at
tendant who has been in the executive
mansion since the days Of Mr. Taft.
lomEsiEAt laslAA -.----S