Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-12-25

the moment, and not as now, scattered
through the waking day of young and old,
from early dawn to dusk, and on into the
cozy tinseled. candle-lghted night?
Wouldn't it be music though-worthy of
this annual play-this play in which most
every one has a little part to speak, and
that upon stage so vast that ice and snow
and orange blossoms, storm Worn crag and
sheltered valley. frozen lake and lmpid
river are found among its jumbled scenic
true, in a cline where skates and sleds
National Capital Fares Well.
This little corner of the stage Jared mighty
well today. Save for the absence of snow
which all the young folks considered a per-
sonal sight-the weather ideal and
very much the holiday order A trifle
cold perhaps. for those whose blood runs
over slow but brisk and bright and dry
Good weather. too. for the first wearing of
Gift things-furS and coats and gloves and
rnitts and the like. This morning, early,
there was even little furry of snow that
held out promise to the sled brigade that
later went unfuifilled. The mercury sat too
low In the bulb. and after the old women
who pick the geese up yonder in the sky
had worked for awhile their fingers got so
numb and blue that they had to stop. So
not they but the weather man, should be
blamed.
But after all. the weather is but an Incl
true, in a climate where skates and sleds
and such usual gifts-that cannot make
nor mar the spirit of the season. Folks are
just as generous, as charitable and as
Christmasy down in Florida. where they
exchange best wishes from beneath straw
', hats, as they are up north, where a Merry
Christmas steams out into the air like
mouthful of tobacco smoke.
Precedents Followed.
Here in Washington folks did about the
same things today as they have done in
past years and other folks all over the
world-allowing for the differences in triv-
la customs-have done and are doing. AS
cold as it was this morning, early services
at all of the churches well attended
and most of the houses of worship of the
various denominations were crowded at
later hours. Then came the hiatus, when
the streets were deserted and folks stayed
indoors to open mysterious packages, to fix
UP and send off gifts to relatives, neighbors
and friends about town and to have Jolly
good time generally.
All fare alike Christmas day-not in val
ues of financial sort-Jut in the sentiment
of giving and receiving. Probably as much
money was spent in gifts in Washington as
In any city of its size in the world. And the
poor man probably contributes here else
where more than his fair share of the
Christmas fund. Everything. from dia-
monds to dOughnuts has gone out of the
stores of Washington into the homes of the
rich and the poor to be opened and enjoyed
today. The pyramids of Egypt would look
like an ant hill compared to the mountain
OF gifts that could be piled up right here
In Washington, and gratitude and all the
other sentiments that go with the day start
ing from Washington circle the globe.
Remembering the Poor.
The rich and the poor take care of them
selves Christmas day and the very poor are
looked after by both. The various charita-
ble organizations of the city, supplemented
by the efforts of many ph.iar thropic res
idents, have been busy during the past
month making the arrangements for the
dinners, and donations that will go today
where they are most needed. No one need
go hungry. The Salvation Army, the Amer
lean Salvatio Army. the Associate Chart
ties and dozens of other bodies have the
latch string out and the warmest kind of
an invitation on the front door. No creden-
tals are necessary save the big of hun
ger. An appetite is an introduction and re-
pletion is farewell Tie idea is that Christ
mas shall mean something to every one in
Washington-even to those who but for the
generosity and charity of others would
know the day merely as NAME.
The distribution of baskets to those of
the very poor who have homes but who
otherwise would have lacked Christmas
cheer was completed yesterday Again the
oh irritable organizations, aided by donations
of money. provisions and clothing from Dri-
waite individuals, managed to cover the
whole city. No home poor no hovol so
loWly but shows today some evidences of
the visit of ID Santa Claus.
Santa Claus Up to Date.
Twas poor shedding last night in this neck
OF the woods but weather conditions don't
seem to bother that old gentleman. Pc
hans lie let his reindeer in the stable and
Travelled by airship or motor ear. Certainly
'twoud be 4 modern manner of travel and
Santa is nothing if not strictly up to date
IT'S quite wonderful how the old gentle.
man keeps up with time, knows the --latest
fac in bracelets. the most recent importa
lions in frillS and frpperies and the very
les; makes of skates and slcds.
sFoiks saying today that there never
was quite such a prosperous Christmas az
this of H. q; that there never was so much
money spsnt in gifts and giving; charity
and generous minded philanthropy. Per
haps this is true; perhaps not At any
rate the people of Washington, and indeed
of the whole country, would seem to have
good reason To bc thankful for the genera
condition of things that permits of sucf
unanimous rejoicing, of such widespread
generosity, of such unlimited charity ant
good cheer that which prevails toay.
Special Observances.
Foxes containing chicken, turkey and
-otl-er accessories for Christmas dinners, tc
the number Of ID. were sent out TO need,
families by the Ladies Of Charity, an or
RanZitiun connected with st. Patrick's
Church parish. The members OF the asso
citation, also sent supply of candies, toys
and other things To the Catholic children il
the Industrial school in West Washington
pretty and suggestive scene was pre-
scented In 81. Columbia Episcopal Church
Tenleytown, last Sunday. There had beer
erected in tho chancel a little stand. with
manager, straw. rope halter, etc. During