The herald-advance. (Milbank, S.D.) 1890-1922, 1921-10-28

wants 10 40 h"hor 70 each and IN order to cult.
vate acquaintance in a familiar way gives a series
OF mnsicales. teas and small receptions. some
times In the afternoon and again i'm the evening
Luncheon at the White House is usually an in
formal affair to which the President invites guests.
frequently without much previous notice. The in
sueu are more Often than not Out-of-tOwn friends
who have come to Washington for a few days
and have business Mt the White House. It is only
occasionally that the White House luncheon be-
comes what the society editor calls a function.
1t would be difficult to estimate the extent Of the
entertaining which Is done In a year at the White
House through the small and informal and semi
informal Affairs. The probabilities are that every
day when the President and his wife are at home
In Washington guests partake Of the hospitality
Of the historic house. This sort OF entertainment
without doubt is the most effective. 1t enables
both hosts and guests to become better acquainted.
1t becomes possible for one to say 1.-The President
and his wife know me-" instead OF II know the
President and his WIFE"
Great State Functions.
In saying a word for the small and intimate
affairs there Is no intention to minimize the I'M
portance Of the great state functions which In their
way amalgamate for the time being the various
circles which form Washington society. One Is
able to determine to some extent what these huge
assemblies a. nplish from the fact that from
two thousand to three thousand persons attend
each Of them. To be sure, there Is more or less
crowding when they are indoor affairs, but it is
amazing how well they are handled by the Presi-
dents army and navy aids.
It has been the custom to hold four great recep-
tions each season. The first Is In honor Of the
diplomatic corps. the second for the judiciary.
the third for congress and the last for the army
and navy. They take place soon after the Christ
mas holidays and are given two weeks apart. Each
administration chooses the day of the week OH
which they shall! be given. Thursday for some
reason seems to have been the favorite day.
May is the month for White House garden par
ties. These affairs are also the special province
Of the mistress Of the mansion. for the invitations
are sent out In her name. However. the President
always Is present and receives with his wife. 1t
Is perhaps needless to say that the parties are
large ones, for there Is no reason to leave out
anyone who Is eligible. The White House grounds
are spacious and beautiful and no finer setting
could he found.
There are as q rule four garden parties. one
4 week until the series ends. In case of rainy
weather the party must he given In the White
House. much to the disappointment Of everybody.
The affair then becomes more like ore of the
winter receptions. There Is. however. q marked
difference In the receiving lire. Whereas only
the President and his wife receive at the summer
parts, the wives Of the vice president and cabinet
officers are in the line at their left at the winter
receptions. Everyone living in the capital city
wants to be invited to q White House garden par
II. but It is the old residential group who from
time have considered the garden fetee
ct 'sthe Presidents house, % their special festai
privilege.
entsrtainlne the Diplomatic corpe.
An administration circle affair which has de-
veIOped into one OF the most important during the
season ID the luncheon to the diplomatic corps at
which the secretary Of state IL host. At one time
the secretary OF state held the luncheon 10 his
home. but the expansion OF the foreign corps has
1nasle I private house impossible NJ : banquet hall
~ - the Pan-American Union building, Of which
Washington Justly 4 proud, Il used each New