The insidious force of the depression, having laid low the nation's economic structure, moves on to attack the very foundations of American democracy. The White House has announced that due to the pressure of relief-work, Mr. Hoover will be forced to cancel all hand-shaking receptions, a sad blow to Kiwanis and Rotary.

It is a blow that will have its repercussions. One of the most profound of American traditions is that of the glad hand, and the spectacle of a harassed individual going through the ritual of shaking hands with a line of free, independent citizens has become a symbol of the Democratic spirit. The story of the retired farmer, who has been first in line at every New Year's reception for a half-century, indicates the attraction which the ritual has for the popular mind. Until it is re-instituted, there will be very little in a trip to Washington for John Robinson, except the great dome of the Library of Congress to stare at.

Another suffer from the ban is the merry wag who used to stand in line in order to pass a jest with the president. Mr. Hoover's term has not been prolific of this form of humor, but in the legendary days of prosperity, the impassive figure of Mr. Coolidge seemed to tempt the amateur will Rogers continually. The newspaper did not dignify these events with print, but they nevertheless had their evanescent fame. One inspired youth waited for half an hour in the procession in order to confront the outstretched hand of the president with lifted eyebrows and "Beg pardon, I did n't get the name?"