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Description: Presidential Reception [1 of 2] Page 9
Newspaper published in: Washington, D. C., USA
Washington Times January 2, 1908 Presidential Reception [1 of 2] Page 9
Lad Greets the President And Makes a Warm Friend At White House Reception
Chief Executive Promises to Watch for Him on Daily Rides.
Senator Depew and Others Attract Attention on New Year Day.
No diplomat of high rank who greeted the President yesterday left the White House with more light of official favor in his hear than Russell McALISTER, a six-year-old lad, who chirped a New Year welcome to President ROOSEVELT, as he left the Blue Room, at the conclusion of the reception. The little fellow stood just in the doorway, and as the President came out to shake hands with members of the Marine Band and attaches of the White House the boy said:
“I see you every day, Mr. President.”
Attracts President’s Attention.
The voice immediately caught Mr. ROOSEVELT’s attention, and it is safe to assume that no guest of the day received more of the President’s time and attention. President ROOSEVELT stood chatting with the youngster several minutes, He took the boy’s face between his hands and said:
“Now, where do you see me every day?”
“On Sixteenth street,” the little fellow said.
“When I go riding?” asked the President.
“Yes, sir,” said the boy, “every day.”
“Well, well, well!” the President exclaimed. “You are a fine little man. Will you keep on watching for me?” he asked, still holding the boy’s face between his hands.
“Yes, sir; I will.”
“Now be sure to do it,” the President cautioned, “for I shall always look for you,” and he gave the youngster an affectionate little pat on the head as he left to greet those in the corridor.”
Russell McALISTER is the young son of Mr. and Mrs. John McALISTER, of 1839 Sixteenth street, and went to the reception yesterday with his mother. He stood at the door of the Blue Room throughout the three hours in which President ROOSEVELT was shaking hands, and rarely took his eyes off the Chief Executive.
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Senator Depew Sees Friend.
Senator Chauncey M. DEPEW was conspicuous among the callers, and not only looked the picture of health, but seemed to be in high feather. He arrived at the White House early in the day and started right away for the Red Parlor on his way to greet the President. Mr. DEPEW was laughing and chatting gaily, looking back now and again to wave at some friend far back in the line. He kept this up all the way through the corridor, and when he finally reached the Red Room door he turned and waved both hands to his distant friend as if he were bidding him farewell from the back end of an outgoing steamer. Everybody in the corridor was amused, but Senator DEPEW evidently did not realize the attention he was attracting, or, in fact, was the least bit concerned about it.
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Another figure which was noticeable among the distinguished visitors was Justice BROWN, who appeared at the reception in a fascinating and large checked vest. Some one remarked that the distinguished jurist looked as though he had spread himself out for a game of checkers, but up to a late hour no candidates for the championship had been registered.
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Admiral Brownson Late.
Admiral BROWNSON, former chief of the Bureau of Navigation, was late for the reception and many believed that because of the controversy which resulted in his resignation from the bureau he would not go to the White House New Year Day. Friends of Admiral BROWNSON, however, declared that he was too big a man to ignore his duty in this regard. However, when the army and navy formed at the State, War, and Navy Department early in the day to march to the White House, Admiral BROWNSON was not present.
A short time before the hour appointed for the service men to meet, one of the officers had seen Admiral BROWNSON ride by the department on horseback. He was, of course, in riding clothes and the word went round that the former chief of the Bureau of Navigation was spending the day in his own way. When the army and navy men reached the White House, Admiral BROWNSON was still missing, but just before the naval contingent was about to pass through, the admiral came through the north door of the White House in the full uniform of his rank.
Some distance up the line was Surgeon General RIXEY. The fact that Admiral BROWNSON made his way through the crowd, past the officers in line, Surgeon General RIXEY included, and up to the side of Admiral DEWEY, head of the navy, with whom he went through, led some one to remark facetiously: “He knows all about navigation; he used to be chief of the bureau.” Admiral BROWNSON’s action in taking a place ahead of General RIXEY caused considerable amusement to those who saw the little bit of by-play.
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