The Washington times., 1902-12-25
ArduOuS Duties of Officials
Laid Aside and Questions
Of State Sideuacked for
IWenty-tOur Hours.
I'll Members of the PresI-
dents Family Gather at
the White House-The
Day in the legations.

Official Washington is celebrating to-
day in the same old time-h -honored man
ucr.
Tho arduo' duties of Official life have
been laid aside for the day. Venezuela
is apparently out Of the thoughts OF al!
except few Of those representatives
or the Government who have been strug-
CLING with the many intricate diplomatic
problems involved; the huge army Of
The department clerks are az their
homes. and except for few watchers on
duty at the business houses Of Uncle
sam. ready, If the occasion demands. to
call upon their chiefs to meet some un-
looked for emergency. he machinery o.
the Government has been stopped for
the Christmas festivities.
At the White House.
The President and Mrs Roosevelt
have al their children with them today
Young Theodore returned from New
York for the holidays and Miss Ethel
p and quentin arc home from their re-
spective schools. For days express wag-
ous have been calling az the White
House leaving gifts for the President.
Mrs Roosevelt. and the children-pres-
ents Of all kinds and from all parts OF
the country.
The younger Roosevelt children. Archie
and Quentin. hung up their stockings
last night in order that they might be
filled by Santa Claus. The giving Of gifts
which took place In the morning. was not
confined 10 the Presidents family. foI
Mrs Roosevelt has remembered each
one OF her small army Of servants. many
of whom have been employed at the
White House since the days OF Lincoln
and have treasured Christmas remem-
braDces from each OF the Presidents Of
the United States who have celebrated
Christmas since the trying days OF the
civil war
Among the Christmas gifts for Mrs
Roosevelt was a gold purse. presented
by the women Of the Cabinet. Il is Of
gold mesh. with the clasp studded with
diamonds and sapphires.
No Christmas Tree.
There was no Christmas tree After
the exchange OF presents the whole fami-
~ went to Captain Cowles' house for
lunch. In the afternoon Mr.. and Mrs.
Roosevelt went horseback riding Dinner
will be served this evening I'm the State
dining room and the guests will be Sen
atOr Lodge and Mrs. Lodge, Captain and
Mrs. Cowles. Mr.. Elliott. OF New York
Charles Henry Davis. Miss Davis. and
the Messrs. Davis. The Presidents gift
10 tue White House employees was a
turkey 10 each
The Secretary Of State and Mrs. Hay
are spending Christmss al their beauti-
ful home in this city. Their daughter
Mrs. James Wadsworth ir.. Mr. Wads-
you, gest son. Clarence, are spending
Christmas with the Hays.
The Secretary OF the Navy. William
Henry Moody. is spending Christmas
with some friends in New York city.
Secretary Of War Root Is also 10 New
York. spending Christmas day with Mrs
Root and Edith Root. Secretary OF the
Interior Hitchcock is at his home in this
city. The other members Of the Cabinet
are with their families in this city.
In the Legations.
Christmas was observed according 10
the varying national customs at the for
cign legations. AT the Russian embassy
the celebration was preliminary to that
Of the Russian Christmas. which is the
Christmas Of the Greek church. and does
not arrive until twelve days after the
Christmas celebrated by the rest Of