Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1922-01-03
RECEPTION At
WHITE House
FIRST IN YEARS
President and Mrs. Harding
Hosts to Official Wash
ington and the Public
HUGE CROWD ATTENDS
President Resumes Functions Aban-
doned by Wilson Nine Years Ago
Grasp Hands Of Thousands

Washington, Jan. 3.-President and
Mrs. Harding threw the White House
doors open to the public yesterday
for the first New Years reception held
there for nine years. The number re-
spending to the General invitation Of
ficially was estimated at $500, many
of whom stood for hours in a Bit
ing wind and in a slowly moving col
umn of fours which extended for
blocks from the Pennsylvania avenue
portlcoes.
The President and Mrs. Harding met
and shook hands with all, physical
feat of no mean magnitude, and one
from which they showed more than
few signs Of strain at o'clock, when
the last person in the line had passed;
The official section was received
from II until l o'clock, and there were
approximately 1000 participating in
it, headed by the Cabinet, the diplo-
matte corps, members of Congress,
Army and Navy officers, and the high
er officials of the Government estab-
lishments. The brilliant uniforms and
gala dress kept the big state rooms
of the White House full of color.
while the curving driveways were
iammcd with automobiles. The num-
bers were swelled by The delegates and
attendants upon the Arms Conference
all resplendent in orders and deccra-
tions.
The gates Of the White House in-
closure were swung back to the public
at , o'clock and the long column swept
forward to the pillared entrance. For
two hours the moving mass passed
through Its individual .Laits juggling
Under: the cbhfbined stimulus of the
music and the eokl.
- Secret service ,hensushers and gold
corded military aides cut the quad
rupe line down to single file, once
it, was within the entrance Uniform
ed Dolce combed the column outside
for cameras, relentlessly relieving
their bearers.
The Presidential party stood in the
oval Blue Room just out of hearing
of the orchestra and the visitors pass
ed at the rate Of 80 to 10 a minute.
The crowd was thoroughly cosmopoli-
tan. representative of many races and
nationalities The children, OF whom
there were many, were given special
attention.
Hello, dearie, the President said
to one tot who was passing on 3 pa
ternal shoulder.
The next moment the flickering line
disclosed four small negroes marshal
ed ahead of their mother.
Why, look who's here" the Presi-
dent exclaimed as he bent over and
smiled into the ashing teeth and roll
ing eyeballs that were sweeping by.
How are YOU youngsters -
Mrs. Harding smiled and added a
pleasant word here and there while
she quickly developed an efficient
swing of her right arm and shoulder
which stood the strain as well as the
Presidents gold-devcloped muscles.
Only occasionally did the President
discover a personal acquaintance in
the throng, one being Urbain Ledoux
whose activities in connection with un
employment and other activities have
beer frequently noted. TO him the
President gave CHEEKY greeting.
The White House reception was not
the only one held in Washington YES
terday While the President received
the public the Vicc-Prcsidcnt and Mrs.
Coolidge were at home to several hun
Grcd guests while Cabinet officials
were at home to their official asso-
ciates and friends. Secretary and Mrs.
Hughes gave breakfast to the Dip
lomatic corps at the Pan-American
Union Building at 1870 P. NJ. while
Secretaries Weeks DENLY, Wallace and
Hoover received at their homes.