Evening star., 1936-02-07

round" the state suite or the
VI White House and ended up"
i in the red corridor last eve
ming as the President and Mrs. Hoose-
Welt received the officials OF the
Treasury. Post Office, Interior, Agrl-
culture, Commerce and Labor Depart
nents and Federal agencies. The
huge company, more than l,2OO, lor
this was the largest state reception
at the mansion so far this season.
first assembled in the famous east
room. where Abigail Adams once hung
her washing then made their way
through the green parlor to the blue
room. where their smiling and gra-
cious hosts stood to greet them-then
through the red room to the state
dining room to partake of light re-
freshments. ard then it seemed that
every one finally met in the long RED
corridor and remained there for no
little time. Obviously, these honor
= guests of last evening do not object
to crowds, and they were thoroughly
ENJOYING themselves. for even for some
time after the President retired 70
the family suite there was almost
milling throng in the red corridor. 1t
was friendly crowding. however, and
even when milady's train was stepped
on or one was slightly pushed, there
was happy atmosphere prevailing as
this interesting procession went "rouno
land round"
- The reception s5r the departmental
officials Is Ole of the recent additions
to the annua official program at the
mansion, having been inaugurated In
the Hoover regime. In previous ad-
ministrations the officials honored last
night were not given special recep-
ton, but were included in one OF the
other state levees. Because of the vast
growth of the various departments
and agencies, in recent years it has
become necessary to add another state
reception to the program and Presi-
dent and Mrs. Hoover thoughtfully
rearranged the invitation list so this
group might be particularly honored.
The state rooms blazing in light
from the crystal chandeliers were
artistically decorated with fragrant
carnations from the White House con-
servatories for the occasion and adding
color to the Kaleidoscope scene were
the scarlet jackets of the musicians OF
the Marine Corps Orchestra, who
played lively selections as the long
line passed TO be received.
The customary fanfare of trumpetS
heralding the opening of the state
function was sounded at $40 o'clock
and as the President and Mrs. Roose-
welt and their party walked from the
state dining room across the red cor
ridor to the state parlors the orchestra
played Hail to the Chief" The
President was escorted by his nava
and military aides, Capt. Wilson Brown
and Capt. Edwin NJ. Watson. anc
walking closely behind was Mrs. Roose.
welt with her son, Mr.. Franklin D
Roosevelt, jr., and Immediately fol-
lowing were members of the cabinet
and the cabinet hoSteSses led by tht
Secretary of State and Mrs. Cordel
Hull. Immediately following were the
Secretary of the Treasury and Mrs
Henry Morgenthau, jr.; the Secretar!
of War and Mrs. George H. Dern
i Mrs Claude A. Swanson, wife of tht
Secretary of the Navy, walking with
one of the White House aides; the
Secretary Of the Interior, Mr.. Harold
L. Ickes, this his first state recep-
ton since the tragic death of Mrs
Ickes; Mrs. Henry A. Wallace. wife
of the Secretary of Agriculture, in the
absence of her husband being escorted
by an aide, as was Mrs. Daniel c
Roper whose husband, the Secretary
of Commerce, is in Florida, and Mis-;
Frances Perkins, Secretary of Labor
was escorted by Capt. Horace Smith
to the Capital for the party, at which
his department shared honors. anc
Mrs. Farley is seldom in washington.
After the President and Mrs. Roose.
velt took their places in the blue room
the cabinet officers and their wive;
who were among the honor guests tool
their places at the head of the line
and were among the first to be re-
ceived Early the cabinet group were
greeted informally by the hosts in the
small dining room.
Wives of officials
In Striking Gowns.
Mrs. Roosevelt wore an unusually
becoming gown of deep smoke blue
chiffon, made on simple lines ano
trimmed with touches Of silver lame
She carried long ostrich feather far
which exactly matched her gown.
Mrs. Cordell Hull was striking anC
lovely figure in a gown of orchid pink
satin made quite simply and devoid o.
trimming,
Mrs Morgenthau was In charmins
gown of black velvet, the skirt gener-
ously full and the deep bertha effect
of rare old lace most becoming to this
popular cabinet hostess.
The Secretary of War and Mrs
George H. Dern were accompanied b,
their daughters, Mrs. Harry Baxte
and Miss Betsy Dern, the latter wear
ing gown Of pale blue starched ne
made with an elbow-length cape edget
with silver lame. Mrs. Dern wore
gown Of black crepe romaine, tn
bodice having pink and gold lam
sleeves. Mrs. Boxter was in fuchsii
chiffon in the new pleated effect.
Mrs Swanson was dainty figure il