Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1922-01-03
President and Wife Shake
Hands With $500 Per-
sons, a Feat From Which
They Show Signs Of Strain
SPECIAL ATTENTION
IS GIVEN CHILDREN
Function Marks the First of
Its Kind for Nine Years.
Callers Represent All Sta
tionS in Life,


and Mrs. Harding threw the White
House open to the public today for
the first new years reception
held there for nine years. The
number responding to the general
invitation was estimated at $500,
many of whom stood for hours in
a biting wind and in a slowly NOV
ing column of fours which extend
for blocks.
The president and Mrs, Hard
ing shook hant5 with all, a phNsl-
cal feat from which they showed
more tnan few signs of strain at
4 o'clock when the last person had
passed.
The official section was received
from II to 1 o'clock, and there
were approximately 1000 partlci-
pating in it, headed, by the cabi-
net, the diplomatic corps, MEM
bers of congress, army and navy
officers and higher officials or
the government. The brilliant uni
forms and gala dress kept the big
state rooms full of color while the
driveways were jammed with au-
tomobiles. The numbers were
swelled by the delegates and at
tendants upon the arms confer
ence, all resplendent in orders and
decorations.
Gates Arc Swung Back.
Gates Of the White House en-
closure were swung back at
o'clock for the public, and led Ivy
the inevitable small boy, the head
of the long column swept forward
to the entrance. A red-coated ma
rine orchestra, divided in two Sec
tions so that by alternating con-
tinuous music could be maintained,
began its program. The big doors
were propped back and for two
hours the moving mass moved
through the massive entrance, It's
individual units iigging 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.
Under the insistent instructions of
keep your hands in sight" many
developed a tendency to put both
hands out in front above the waist
line. and hold them there. Uni
formed police meanwhile combed
the column outside for cameras,
relentlessly relieving their bearers
! or taking the boxes away for de-
| post.
Cosmopolitan Crowd.
The presidential party stood In
| the oval blue room, just out Of
( hearing of the orchestra, and the
visitors passed at the rate Of 30
| to 40 minute. This speed was at
| tanned through the insistent pres
sure of aides and attaches, and
/ the president and Mrs. Harding
rose to the occasion. meeting the
physical test without tagging.
| The crowd was cosmopolitan, rep
resentative of many races and ma
tionalities. The children, of
whom there were many, were given
special attention.
Hello, dearie," the president
said to one tot who was passing
on a paternal shoulder.
The next moment the Pickering
| line disclosed four small negroes
marshaled ahead of their mother.
"Why, look who's here" the
president exclaimed as he bent
over and smiled into the flashing
teeth and rolling eyeballs. How
are you youngsters?"
Mrs. Harding Smiles.
Mrs. Harding smiled and added
a pleasant word here and there
while she quickly developed an ef-
ficient swing, of right arm and
shoulder which stood the strain
as well as the presidents collide
veloped muscles.
The people passed quickly and
in perfect order through the east
room and thence to the street.
Only occasionally did the presl-
dent discover a personal acquaint-
ance in the throng, one being Ur-
balm Ledoux, whose activities in
connection with unemployment
and other activities have been fire.
quently noted. To him the presl-
dent gave CHEEKY greeting.
AS the line ran out to extinction
Mrs. Harding beckoned forward
the newspaper correspondents,
greeting them cheerfully but an
nouncing she was "ready to go
home"
Other Receptions.
The White House reception was
not the only one held here today.
When the president received the
public, the vice president and Mrs.
Coolidge were at home to several
hundred guests, while cabinet Of
ficials were home to their official
associates and friends. Secretary
and Mrs. Hughes gave a breakfast
to the diplomatic corps at the
Pan-American Union building
while Secretaries Weeks, DENLY
Wallace and Hoover received al
their homes.
| llIll Anal IAAll.E.