Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1909-12-26
Capital Spend Yuletide at
Home.
SNOWFALL BEGINS AT DAWN
Executive DevOtes Part of Day and
Evening to Work.
VICE PRESIDENT AT UTICA
Mr.. and Mrs. Sherman Have Family
Gathering at Home.
GREEN CHRISTMAS IN NEW YORK
Thousands of the City's Poor Provided
with Dinners by Numerous Char
liable AEencies-saiiOrs on
shore Leave.
GREEN CHRISTMAS III NEW YORK

WASHINGTON, Dec. E5.-From the presi-
dent Of the nation to the humblest resident
the citizens OF Washington enjoyed one
feature OF the holiday in commons
glorious white Christmas.
With dawn today came the falling OF
snow and by the time most Of the people
hn the city were astir, the ground was
lcoy cred to a depth Of half an inch with
snow.
Mrs. Taft. accompanied BY her daughter
Helen. attended services this morning at
st. Johns Episcopal church. The church
is just a block from the White House and
Mrs. Taft trudged through the snows;orm
without an umbrella going to and returning
from the edifice.
President Makes Most of Day.
President Taft remained indoors all day,
working on the problem What is whisky"
This mooJed question raised by distilers
under the pure food act has been pending
for some time and the president has de-
termined to settle 1t as soon as possible.
He dictated TO a stenographer for some
time during the afternoon and had another
one engaged for the evening.
The decision, which probably will make
5000 words in length. viii be announced
tomorrow.
President Taft and his family spent
Christmas in no different manner from
that OF the thousands Of others. Charley.
Robert and Miss Helen were at home, and
the president spent the greater part of
the day surrounded by his family. There
were no formalities.
Later in the day, the president went to
the executive offices and put in some time
with official duties
Vfra president nd
the day at their home in Utica, n. Y. A
family gathering was a feature of the
day at the home OF Secretary Knox on
K street With Mr.. and Mrs. Knox were
their sons. Hugh 5, and Philander Chase
Knox, Jr.. and their daughter. Mrs J. b.
TyBdle and her husband.
Secretary Dickinson took his Christmas
dinner on board the Mayflower, en- route
to Porto Rico. Secretary Meyer. who has
been absent on a hunting trip hurried home
TO spend the day with his family. Secre-
tary and Mrs Macveagh. Secretary and
MIRA. as@ilinger and Attorney General and
Mrs. wickersham. celebrated Christmas at
their residence in Washington.
The noisy and demonstrative celebration
on Christmas eve and Christmas day. which
has heretofore been feature Of the event
at the national capital was missing this
year.
Green Christmas I'm Gotham.
NEW YORK. Dec. &.-Santa Claus
brought a green Christmas 20 New York
this year with a threat of rain or snow.
The gigantic task OF providing big din
ners for the numerous thousands Of the
citys poor was accomplished through num-
erous agencies. The Salvation army, the
Volunteers of America, the Charity or
ganization. newspapers and private in
dividuals dispensing lavish hospitality.
Although Lite Tim" sullivan was laid
in his grave only yesterday. the IT. D.
Sullivan association obeyed one OF his
dying wishes and fed and clothed many
thousands OF the Bowery districts poor.
The particular guests OF the city during
the holidays are more than I00o0 sailors
OF the Atlantic battleship fleet and each
man. with several months pay in his
pocket, is enjoying the eity's weieome tC
the full