Evening star., 1932-01-01
NEW YEAR THRONG
BRAVES RAIN FOR
HOOVER RECEPTION
Long Line Forms Early at
White House to ReCeiVe
Presidents Greetings.
DIPLOMATIC CORPS LED
BY ITALIAN AMBASSADOR
Cabinet Members, Jurists, Army
and Navy Officers Precede
General Public.
BY ]. RUSSELL YOUNG.


American and almost as old as the
Republic itself, President and Mrs.
Hoover today were extending their per-
sonal greetings by cordial words and
handshakes to all who care to present
themselves within the White House,
regardless Of their station in life, their
race or color.
In this spirit of true American
democracy the President and First Lady
flung wide the doors of the stately
White House, thus carrying on GUS
tom started IN the White House by John
and Abigail Adams, and which long
since has become one Of the traditions
Of the Capital.
BY ushering in the new year at the
Whitc House in this fashion President
and Mrs. Hoover withheld their hospi-
tahty from no citizen. Standing at the
far ends of the famous blue room, in
which all formal receptions have been
held in the White House since its be-
ginning, they claSped the hand of each
person passing along the receiving line.
For each they had a smile and a
gracious word of greeting and good
wishes.
Like Old World Pageant.
Notwithstanding the heavy down.
pour, tire picture on this occasion is as
colorful as it is interesting. The affair
is. as usual, a reception O. distinguished
Importance and the Pre- dent and Mrs.
Hoover gave every evidence of enjoying
this opportunity to exchange felicita-
tions.
Tire picture between IL o'clock and
noon when the cabinet, diplomats, high
trrist5 and the ranking officers OF the
Army, Navy and Marine Corps as well
rs leading statesmen, officials and prom
inent citizens, were received, resempleo
s-newhat an Old World pageant. This
was aocentuated since mem bers of the
Cipl matte corps most Of them wear
ing the glittering uniforms Of their high
of4ce, brought greetings from distant
lanIS. In addition to this color was
the glamour CT the uniforms and deco
ratiols Of the ranking officers Of the
severel services. AL of this provided
spectacle Of gold and silver braid,
swords, cockadeS, metals and fine
feathers, such as perhaps no other event
IN the American Capital brings forth.
The democracy of the occasion was
picturized by the long line OF just plain
citizens, who are presenting themselves,
not because Of any official or social
status, but simply because they desire
to pay their respects to the President
and First Lady and to wish them well
for the coming year and in return re-
ceive a similar greeting.
BY 80 the rain had ceased and
the sun was breaking through the
clouds About 80 persons were in line
at that time.
The public section of the reception
began at / o'clock this afternoon, after
the President and Mrs. Hoover and
those who are assisting them to receive
had concluded the reception for the
dignitaries and had enjoyed an hours
rest. This picturesque line of citizens,
many Of when are richly clad while
others are not so prosperous looking,
will continue to file through the hos
pitable doors until the last person In
line has been greeted.
Scene Highly Impressive.
In the quiet. dignified atmosphere of
the interior of the White House the
scene of the reception was highly i'm
pressive. The foyer, Railways and
rooms on the first floor were attrac-
lively decorated, and most Of the Christ
mas decorations are still hanging. An
occasional spray of mistletoe could be
seen Spiashes Of brilliant scarlet were
afforded by numerous poinsettia plants,
and there were also hemlocx and palms.
None of the interest or eagerneSs with
which the citiZenry in the past has
greeted the President and First Lady
was missing at today's reception. De-
spite the fact the general public was
not received until ! o'clock, the crowds
Of men and women began gathering at
an early hour about the far gate on the
Pennsylvania avenue side Of the White
House grounds. Judging from their
eXpectant faces, they did not seem to
mind the long wait
AS for the reception itself. the tradi-
tion that has been followed through the
years was followed virtually to the let
ter today. There was one departure,
however, and that was the presence of
posSesSors of the Congressional Medal
of Honor, who were given a position Of
honor in the morning line Immediately
ahead Of the officers Of the Army and
Navy.
AS usual, the Marine Band, wearing
scarlet coats, occupied seats on either
side of the main foyer. The band has
LSG44 SACAPNl a. wv oNS SN4S44.9' O4AS ~
ton PLAYING at time, thereby making
it possible to have lively airs without a
let-up.
President and Mrs. Hoover received
the members Of the cabinet and the
women of their families il the library
on the second floor of the White House,
half an hour before the hour set for the
festivities. Promptly at IL o'clock there
was a flourish Of drums and fanfare
OF trumpetS. and as the President, with
Mrs HooYers arm through his, ap-
peared at the head CT the main stair
way, with the members CT the cabinet
and their wives from the rear, the band
played Hail TO the Chief
As they walked across the foyer To
the blue room Capt. c. Russell Train
and Col Campbell B. Hodges, naval
and military aides, respectively, pre-