Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1922-01-03

Harding threw the White House
doors open to the public today for
the first New Years reception held
there in nine years. The number
responding to the general invitation
was officially estimated at $500, many
Of whom stood for hours in a biting
VIVID and in a slowly moving column
ct furs which extended fr blocks from
the Pennsylvania avenue porticoes.
The President and Mrs. Harding
met and shook hands with all, a
physical feat of no mean magnitude
and one from which they showed
more than a few signs of strain at
o'clock when the last person in the
line had passed.
The official section was received
from II until one O'Clock and there
were approximately 1000 participant
ing in it, headed by the cabinet, the
diplomatic corps, members of Con-
gress, army and navy officers, and the
higher officials of the government es-
! Establishments. The brilliant uniforms
and gala dress kept the big state
rooms of the White House full of
color while the curving driveways
! were damned with automobiles. The
, numbers were swelled by the dele
gates and attendants of the Arms
Conference, all Respondent in orders
and decorations.
The gates Of the White House en-
closure were swung back at 2 o'clock
for the public to enter and, led by the
inevitable small boy. the head of a
: January breeze, swept forward TO
long column which had dared the
the pillared entrance. A red Goa ted
marine orchestra, divided in two Sec
tons SO that by alternating. contin-
uous music could be maintained be-
gan its program as the procession
moved up. The big doors were prop
ped back and for two hours the NOV
! ing mass moved through the massive
. entrance. it's individual units juggling
under the combined stimulus OF the
| music and the cold.
| Secret Service men, ushers and
gold corded military aides cut the
quadruple line down to single file
once it was within the entrance. In
der their insistent instructions OF
| keep your hands in sight" many de-
veloped a tendency to put both hands
out in front above the waist line and
| hold them there. Uniformed police
meanwhile combed the column out
| side for cameras, relentlessly reliev-
ing their bearers or taking the boxes
away for deposit.
The presidential party stood in the
oval blue room just out of hearing OF
the orchestra and the visitors passed
at the rate Of 80 or 40 a minute. This
speed was attained through the in
| sistent pressure OF aides and attaches
and the President and Mrs. Harding
rose to the occasion. meeting the
| physical test practically without
tagging. The corwd was thoroughly
cosmopolitan, representatives OF
MANY races and nationalities. The
children. Of whom there were many
were given special attention.
| "Helo. dearie." the President said
to one tot who was passing on a
paternal shoulder.
The nox. moment The Pickering line
disclosed four small negroes mar
shalled ahead Of their mother.
why. look who's here" the Pres
ident exclaimed. as he bent over and
smiled into the flashing teeth and
rolling eve balls thar were sweeping
by. How are you. youngsters?"
Mrs. Harding smiled and added q
pleasant word here and there while
swing of her right arm and shoulder
which stood the strain as well as the
Presidents golf-developed muscles.
The people passed quickly and in
perfect order through the cas-. pom
and thence 10 the street. with never
an interruption or moment of con-
fusion.
Only occasionally did the President
discover personal acquaintance in
the throng. one being Urban Ledoux
whose activities in connection with
unemployment and other activities
have been frequently noted. To him
the President gave a CHEEKY greet.
ing.
| AS the line ran out to extinction
, Mrs. Harding beckoned forward the
newspaper correspondents, greeting
them cheerfully but announcing that
she was ready to go home.''
The White House reception was not
the only one held in Washington to-
day. When the President received
| the public, the Vice President md