Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-12-30
GREAT FUN FOR THE KIDDIES
COLUMBIA THEATER RINGS
WITH SHOUTS OF LAUGHTER.
Entertainment for Children of EN-
ployes of the Washington Rail
way and Electric Company.

More than 800 wee Riddles made the
Columbia Theater ring with their shouts
and laughter this afternoon. They were
there to attend the annual Christmas en-
tertainment provided by the Washington
Railway and Electric Company for the
children of its employees, and they had
fun.
Long before the curtain went UP the
house was packed from orchestra to gal
lery. Tho doors opened before 1 o'clock
and for an hour from that time the Or
chestra, under the leadership of Director
Smith. played lively airs that kept the
children and their mothers and sisters
happy and whetted their appetities for
the things that were to come. AS they
listened TO the music the little ones kept
their eyes glued on two large Christmas
trees on either side of the stage in front
of the curtain, which foreshadowed pres
cntS to come.
When Gen. George II. Harries, vice
president of the company, who acted as
master of ceremonies, appeared 1T was to
make an appropriate speech, full or good
cheer for the season. He said all sorts
of pleasant things to the children IN
those persuasive tones which are SO
often used with telling effect at the
Capitol. If they We're good and indus
trious, he said. they might some day
grow up and own Il street railway and
command a big body Of troops,
Fun for the Children.
Then the real fun began with a song
by Master Peter Becker, followed by a
London Punch and Judy show. 1t was
the real old-time Punch and Judy show.
with family rows and headcrackings
az
ones peal after peal Of shrill laughter.
The figures were manipulated by John L.
Rch
After this erown-up. Miss Cora B.
Shreve came out and danced gracefully
and sang sweetly, the piano music for her
being played by Miss Mabel Cosgrove
When Miss Shreve had responded to All
encore and had left the stage more songs
and dances followed. The program was
brought to an end with moving pictures.
Others who helped make the lads and
lasses happy by their songs and dances
were Misses Bessie Price. Mamie Schuy-
Ter, Helen Berens, Henrietta Berens. Mad
DIN Smithson, Ralby Raymond, Ollie Mey-
ers. Edna Wilcox. Beatrice Cosgrove.
Adrienne Shreve, Leonora Callan and Mas
ter Minor Ellis.
When the show was all over the pres
ents were brought out by regular Santa
Claus. who. assisted by half a dozen vol
unteers. handed out to every child some
sion.
In Charge of the Entertainment.
The committee in charge was composed
Of H. w. Fuller, chairman: L. S. Mar
low, vice chairman. and II. NJ Browning.
secretary. The following subcommittee
assisted in the work:
Amusement-F. J. Nersheimer. chair
man: w. N DeNeale and III. B. Hart.
Printing!. Z. Mansan. chairman; Z.
E. Wilson and c. W. Handy.
Trees-W. S. BalIenger. chairman; Dan
Frazier and Charles Reich.
Distribution-C. T.. kimball, chairman
w F. Dement,. G.. L. Brown. W. h.
Lowry. r. f. Saunders, r. +. Williamson
and II. Jackson.
Decorations. ]. Folsom, chairman: II
q. Torbert. Dan Neal. W. II. Fellows.
PurchasinG-E. S. NARROW. chairman: J.
r Moffett. r. W. Crowel. w. A. Wenner
Reception-F. J. Whitehead, chairman;
W. F.. Ham. l.. T.. Sinclair, l.. b. Johnson,
\. S. Parry. w. r. Anderson, NJ. NJ. Mer-
riIl and Office force.