THE PRESIDENCY: First Down!

Long before New Year's daylight John W. Hunefeld arose in his Washington home on C street, put on his salt-and-pepper suit, breakfasted quickly, and set forth through dark streets for the White House. He would do no odd jobs of painting and-carpentering that day. He was going to meet the President.

Citizen Hunefeld had reason for his early morning haste. Twice before had he proudly led the public line into the White House for the New Year's Day Reception (a custom originated by President John Adams in 1801) and now he almost ran to be again the first at the White House gate on Pennsylvania Avenue.

He got there on time. After sunrise a woman in a brown fur coat, a Mrs. George A. Barrett, lined up behind him. With satisfaction Citizen Hunefeld surveyed the lengthening queue stretching out along the fence, down the street, around the corner. Fine weather, good spirits and natural curiosity about a new President had brought out thousands of plain people who do not get written invitations to White House functions.

Before noon officials began to arrive in their motors to greet President & Mrs. Hoover. Citizen Hunefeld recognized many of them—Vice President Curtis, Speaker Longworth, the British Ambassador in his red jacket. Finally the great White House gates swung open and Citizen Hunefeld marched grandly at the head of his procession up the curving sidewalk to the big glass doors of the White House. When these opened Citizen Hunefeld did a gallant thing: removing his cap, he stepped aside to allow Mrs. Barrett to lead the line past the President.

With the Marine Band dinning in his ears, Citizen Hunefeld took note of the bodyguardsmen (secret service) standing about. They could not be too careful guarding the President's life. Some crank might get in. McKinley had been shot that way by a man with a revolver under a handkerchief. President Harding had been asked to wear a bullet-proof vest at his first reception in 1922 but refused. An experienced receptionist, Citizen Hunefeld knew he could not put his hands in his pockets; he had seen women warned to take their hands out from under their furs.

In the Blue Room stood the President. Beside him was Mrs. Hoover in a blue silk dress. Close at hand was Col. Edward Starling, Chief Bodyguard, looking not a bit like a detective in his cutaway.

"A Happy New Year, Mr. President!"

"A Happy New Year to you." And the President gave Citizen Hunefeld's hand a hearty shake. Like many another, Citizen Hunefeld observed that President Hoover's handshakes were less rushed than President Coolidge's, that the reception line moved along more leisurely. In all that day President Hoover greeted 6,348 officials and citizens, the largest New Year's reception in many a year. The warm air in the White House, the heavy scent of flowers, perfume and outdoor clothing, drove the President out on the rear portico for fresh air twice during the three-hour ceremony. As he returned the first time, he said to Mrs. Hoover: "First down!''