Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-12-29
CHILDREN AS GUESTS
PRESIDENT OF RAILWAY COM
PANY ENTERTAINS.

Nearly twelve hundred little people were
made glad yesterday afternoon at the
Columbia Theater, when President A.
]. McDermott of the Washington Rail-
way and Electric Company gave the
annual Christmas entertainment to the
children of the employees of the COM
pany. The children were accompanied
by their parents. The time for the
opening was set for 100 o'clock, but the
children began arriving shortly after noon
and remained outside the theater in anxious
expectancy until the doors were opened,
when there was general rush for seats.
Upon entering the theater the first thing
greeting their eyes were two large cedar
trees beautifully decorated and illuminated
with electric lights, which were erected on
either side of the stage.
Promptly at 1:30 o'clock Gen. George H.
Harries delivered brief address, in which
he spoke of the efforts of the company to
please all; not only the children of the en-
pioyes, but also the great pubic O1ten, ne
said, the public had not been satisfied with
the service rendered by the company, but
the company was by no means satisfied
with itself In some matters, and from year
to year was striving to improve conditions.
He referred to the growth of the fes-
tival and said that If it increased next year
as it had this the entertainment would
probably have to be given on two days. He
closed by assuring the children that al
though illness prevented President McDer-
mott, the founder of the occasion, from be-
ing present, he was with them in spirit
Order Of Exercises.
The first number on the program was an
acrobatic act by Robert D. Shrier and SON.
Mr.. John S. Reh gave an old-tme Punch
and July show. and several pupils of Miss
Cora Shreve gave exhibitions of fancy
dancing. Audrey johnson contributed an
Indian song; Adrienne Shreve appeared in
song and dance; Mamie Schuyler gave a
clever exhibition of a Spanish dance, and
Just the Girl l am Looking For was sung
by Helen and Henrietta Berence, accom-
panied by Miss Cora Shreve. The children
were then entertained for short time with
the Armat moving pictures, which they en-
joyed exceedingly. Mr.. John A. Ellinger,
representing Santa Claus, then intro
duced and the children formed into line and
marched upon the stage, where they We're
presented with apples, oranges, nuts, can
dies toys and books
During the afternoon an orchestra under
the direction of Mr.. Sol. Minister rendered
appropriate selections.
Mr.. H. w. Fuller was chairman and Mr.
II. NJ Browning secretary of entertain
ment
They were accorded credit for the sue
cess of the affair.
Reception Committee
The reception committee consisted of F. ].
Whitehead, chairman; ]. B. Lackey vice
chairman L. E. Sinclair W. H. Flannery,
P. T. Moran, A. w. Jet, w. E. Thomas,
r. c. Scott. H. o. Bailey H. ]. Balzer,
Henry Surguy, H. w. Bowman. P. X Cou-
Ion, Arthur Berry, w. H. Handy, William
Britton, c. H. Ourand, A. A Hutchinson,
NJ. NJ. Merrill, R. w. Crowell, w. F. Ham,
l.. B. Johnson, w. o. Gibson, c. ]. Pitt,
o. w. Gardner, V. D. Brooke, A. S. Parry,
c. E. Brown, F. H. Schneider, r. G. Eberly,
H. w. Baum F. G. Whitney, G. G. Whit
ney, Warren Anderson, C S. Reich, F. l..
Harres, c. B. Wilson. NJ. o. B. Jacobs,
A. Sis, A. H. Bargh H. B. Colbert, J. E.
Tenly, ]. A. Kaiser, J. c. Sheets, E. Nus