The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1925-01-23
WHITE HOUSE
ENTERTANS
JUDICIARY
Reappearance of "Blue
Room Rule" Makes
for Discussion
By. JEAN ELIOT.

"HE stately and dignified recep-
ton which the President and
- Mrs. Coolidge gave last night,
with the Judiciary as the special
guests, was marked by am i'm
portant innovation-or> rather by
q return to the procedure Of pro-
vious Administrations, abolished
iuring Mrs. Harding'S regime at
the White House.
This was the temperance of
the 'Blue Room" as an institution
rather than merely as an apart
1nent. In the old days invitations
TO the Blue Room were highly
priced and much envied by those
who found themselves ION tho
outside looking in" But Mrs.
Harding did away with any dis
finction among her guests, any
who desired being privileged TO
penetrate into the historic apart
nent, where the President and his
wife always receive, as soon as
they had been down the line"
Last evening, however, barriers
were UP again, uniformed aides
armed with ''Blue- Room lists"
standing by the doors to pass upon
the claims of those desiring adj,
mission. Distinction was made,
however, along strictly officta!
lines, so that there was no occa-
sion for heartburning by those n 1t
specially favored.
. The crowding in the east room
and the red corridor, which resulted
from this change, had its COM
pensation in the fact that there
was a. certain statelinesS about the
blue room and the buzz Of CONVEX
sation which often made it i'm
possible for the President and Mrs.
Coolidge to hear the names OF their
guests, had been done away with.
Indeed, the blue room and the
adjoining red and green parlors,
which were also taboo, were so
sparsely filled as to appear almost
lonesome.
Dancing Is Much Discussed
Feature of Entertainment.
Next to the enforcement of the
blue room rule, the fact that the
reception wound up with dancing
was the most discussed feature of
Ahe entertainment. If memory
serves this was the first time dane
ing had been encouraged at q state
reception since President and Mrs.
Coolidge have been in the White
House, and it was not until they.
had withdrawn to their private
epartments, after having greeted ali
their guests, that the scarlet coated
Marine Band moved from its sta
zion in the hall into the east room
and launched into a program OF
dance music.
The band, which played the re-
- - IL
nounced its formal openings playing
aI1e familiar Hail to the1 Chief
as the President and Mrs. Coolidge
came down the stairway, follosred
by the members of thee CabinAE
group, whom they had first greeted
In their drawing room upstairs.
Four aides preceded them, the other
aides on duty lining up across the.
hallway as the little procession
made its way into the Blue Room
and then taking their stations op-
posite the receiving line.
The presence of the Attorney Gen
eral and Mrs. Stone in the receiv-
fng line with the President and
Adrs. Coolidge was especially happy,
since Mr.. Stone is not only the
member of the Cabinet most close
~ associated with the judiciary,
Dut Slice lie Is SO SOOH 10 take MS
place upon the Supreme bench,
highest tribunal of the land. Pre-
sentations were made by Colonel
Clarence o. Sheriff., back on duty
after his recent illness. and Captain
Adolphus Andrews.
! Mrs. Coolidge awore a gown of
white and gold brocade, draped
little, but made on lines that werc
Treyailingly straight, cut square in
the neck and sleeveless. Tie back
was particularly interesting, as the
long train, which was hung from
the shoulders. had deep V-shaped
1nsert of gold lace. She wore long
white gloves and carried an armful
eof butterfly roses, which she laid
aside after she became interested
in the business of shaking hands.
Mrs. Stone also carried flowers,
butterfly roses and orchids, Her
gown was of fine silver lace over
pale rose pink.
The Chief Justice Of the Supreme
Court was, in accordance with tradi-
stion, the first to greet the President,