Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial. (Wilmington, Del.) 1878-1928, 1922-01-30

VhbnInBton, Jan. oV~~Iuc sf"7'f'
for Washington's favorite indoor
sport shaking hands with the Presi-
dents in full swing The public
stood patiently In the cold Tor hours
on New Years Day 10 shake the
Presidents hand In old New Year
style. The diplomats busted or their
gold braid and cooked hats and went
TO greet the Executive at a subse-
uuent reception held in their honor.
The members Of the Supreme Court
and other prominent legal officials
have had their turn, and before the
winter Is over the Senators and Rep
resentatives and their families, and
the Army and Navy set viii be- romi-
niscentiy comparing the Harding
reception with those Of other Presl-
dents.
/ We smilc when wo recall the ac-
counts Of Washngton's afternoon
Ievees at which he formally received
once a week. Picture Washington
standing hat in hand beside n mantel-
piece. Each guest is presented for
Dally md the President bows withou,
shaking hands and the guest retires
TO a vacant place In the circle OF gueste
which Is forming around the room
When tho last visitor has been pre-
sented, Washington goes around and
speaks 10 each In turn and takes his
plnce again. Then the guests, one by
one, come UP and take leave OF him.
Yet n modern presidential recep-
ton is no less quaint and ceremorious
though conducted on a hugo scale
compared 10 Washington's select
afternoon affairs.
The diplomatic reception the Other
night Is a good example OF tho pro,
cedure on such occasions. Arriving
ut the White House a few minute,
after nine-thirty, the hour set tor tn,
Harding receptions, your chr gets IL
tho long line which by that time ex
tends half way round tho Whit
House grounds and IS growing stead
lily. After half an hour 81 advancinj
/, a yard or two at time, you reacl
the East Portico, where machines ar
being unloaded three at a time, an
present tho essential admission care
After chacking ovorcoat and ha
/. you get In another line, this tinno
: line OF women in rainbow colore
I gowns, and men in evening clothe
: They are formed about six in a row
! almost the entire length OF the Ion
: ground floor Of the east corridor.
a Weary Walt in Line.
It In the long, comparatively mario
e passage. the noise Of laughter ar
chattering IL Ike the roar OF q
It subway. One man Is saying 10 h
- partner that no n willing 10 wag
l. that after shaking hands with tn
q. regiment OF guests the President al
81 his wife won't care 10 hold han
m when they talk 10 over afterward.
weary matron two rows back thin
ie Is would be so uice II the Viii
10 House provided rolling chairs like G
II ones at Atlantic City.
&c With cheerful banter the cros
A. moves along like an exotic bread III
~ slowly working its way down the CO
n rider into hall, upstairs, and in
l. the main entrance hall OF the +
&c, ecutive Mansion. Here, the Mart
" Band IN the red coats OF it's DIRE
uniform is playing a lively air. al
ly some people begin 20 think the Pre-,
I'll dent is at hand. Far from IL.
t. IT, etaoin etaoin etaoin ct oaine
The line IS made TO form IL
couples and in that arrangement
. guided across the hall between the
teresting portraits of the two m,
recent Presideuts-Taft seated CO
fortably in a big chair on the left, a
across the hall. Wilson, looking
he did in the early days OF his
ministration.
III Around the walls OF he state
Ing room the line serpentines,
ne through the Red Room, and at !;
after an hour OF standing and shu
lot ing, you reach the Blue Room and
objective. Your name is pronoun
tie 10 the President by an aide.
President shakes your hand swii
and srniles politely, though you
Ish perhaps the thouSandth person in
and 1000 are TO come. You are u
,sh shot along 20 Mrs. Harding v
Hughes. and from there you are
10 sweeps you over to Mr.. and y