The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-01-13
SENATOR HARDING HAS WASHINGTON
 SOCIETY GUESSING
Social Duties That Go With Presidency Causing Marion Editor to Develop Bevy of
 Spinal Column ChillS
By ROBERT T. SMALL

Marion, O., January 12-(Speciall Having called off all of the inaugural festivities at Washington in the interest of national thrift economy, there is con- siderable speculation here as to how far the home and official life of the Hard ings in the White House will go in tho same direction.
 There has been a somewhat general impression that with the advent of new administration. much of the old pomp and circumstance connected with the executive mansion will be revived. So many time-honored customs of the White House have fallen by the wayside during the Wilson term of eight years. 1t was thought return to normalcy would mean the re-establishment of the old ceremonies and functions
 SILENT, AS USUAL
 Senator Harding, however, declines To commit himself at this time as to any os the old-fashioned customs. He was asked, for instance, if he would begin anew the old practice of holding a pub lie reception on New Years Day. He replied frankly that he did not know. He says there will be time enough to consider the question later on. The same reply was given as to possible resump- ton of the so-called state receptions which in the past have been divided into
  reception the judiciary reception, the army and navy reception, and the con gressional reception.
 One by one these receptions have dis appeared from the White House life dur ing Wilson's regime. For the most part, there have been impelling reasons Tor the omissions, but the absence of the functions has made quite a dent in the washington social season and Senator and Mrs Harding have been looked to as likely to make the White House fresh center of official society.
 DISLIKES DISPLAY
 Senator Harding's friends insist that he has very wholesome dislike for set ceremonies and for anything par taking of the character of function. No plainer man in the way of living and thinking has been elected to the presidency since Lincoln. The Hardings always have been known for their hos pitality, but it has been hospitality the senator nor his wife has any pa ar the transformations sort and neither senee for entertainments planned merely as a show" The senator, in partieu- iar. is said to favor what might be called "old home" evenings with group af old friends about him, and this may serve as an indication of the character cf the social activities of the White Aouse during the next administration.
  fe that some of the customs of for ser years will be revived, but the re- sasal is likely to be on limited scale.
 ne reception to the public each New
 srs while a trying ordeal for Pres iaent, always was regarded in the pas As a touch of real democracy, actually if contact with the people. The at tsYdance of diplomats and of officers o the army and navy always lent spec cial interest and a bit of color to the Ccs asion
 TAFT, PACE SETTER
 ie state receptions reached climax Of hospitality during the Taft adminis- 4rztion when buffet suppers and dancing were added to the ordinary programme o< promenade through the White House and a formal presentation to the presi- dential party.
 Being man of plain habits and
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