The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1911-12-23
HALF,HOL|DAY FOR
FEDERAL CLERKS As
CHRISTMAS PRESENT
Uncle Sans Officials Dis
miss Them at Noon.
Santa Claus Calls.

All the clerks employed In the Govern.
ment service received q Christmas pres.
ent from Uncle Sam this noon. When
the ball fell on the Navy Department
staf, the departments and bureaus
emptied as II by magic. Thousands OF
clerks Joined the Christmas throngs In
the shopping districts.
Each of the Presidents Cabinet Of
fcers aided the departmental spirit OF
Christmas cheer by granting half holi.
day.
There were surprises in store for the
employees OF the Forestry Bureau. OF
the Department OF Agriculture, and the
disbursing officer of the Department OF
Commerce and Labor. Santa Claus
visited the Forest Service in the Atlantic
building at noon, and left presents to
nearly hundred children whose pa
rents or guardians are employed there.
Santa in Miniature.
Santa Claus was only four feet high,
out quite up-to-date, arriving in al,
automobile. No one suspected that this
diminutive fellow was the popular little
''ncwsy," iene McPherson, VIII. sells
papers. rain or shine, near the entrance
to the Atlantic building
The presentation was UNIQUE. Santa
Claus is usually accompanied by 4
couple Of forest rangers, who act as a
bodyguard. They became separated
from Santa this morning, however, but
tracked him up to the Forest Service
Bureau building, where he had called
ana LETT tree. The little rangers, in
uniform, impersonated by George
Lyman Hall and Edward Pence. amused
the audience for a short time hunting
Tor santa. They persuaded George G.,
Anderson to give a short talk and re-
cite verses written. About this time the
monk. honk" OF Santas auto was heard
In the distance, and directly he rolled
out on the platform. and the real fun
began.
Fred q. Plummer was commit 40
chairman. The subcommittee were:
GIFTS, Mrs. Fenton, Miss Seely: tree.
Mr.. Kolb. Mr.. Lee. Mr.. Austin, Mr..
Cooksey; invitation and decorations
MRS. Brenixer. Miss Kimmel, Mrs. Wal
ter, Mr.. Harvey; program, Mr.. Ander-
son. Mr.. Ellis. Miss Kellerhouse;
finance. Mr.. Sullivan.
Called in the Night.
Santa Claus also VISITED the 6isburs-
ing office OF the department CT Com
merce and Labor. He called in the al
ience OF the midnight hours, last night.
while on scouting trip for sood child
rem, ana left q beautifully decorated
ana sift-laden treA right lear the d. SIX
OF George Johannes. the chief.
AT noon, when the department en-.
ployes were dismisSsd, one CT the most
efficient corps in the bureau gathered
around the tree ana made clerry for
more than anthoIr. A present from
Santa wee found for everv one In the
ofHce. and one or two short talks were
made on Christmas cheer.
In nearly every department there was
an exchange of gifts among friends and
co-workers, and the messengers and
charwomen and other helpers were re.
membered. While the Offices Of the
closed at noon, the buildings were KEEP
open until 4:0 o'clock. the usual closing
hour.
Given Full Holiday.
Employees Of the Bureau OF Engraving
and Printing had full days holiday
and the bureau, to all Intents and pur.
poses, was practically closed. Director
Ralph decided to combine Christmas
and New Year half days into one whole
day, after learning from the employees
this arrangement would please them.
This arrangement will be an economy
In the bureau work, as a split day re-
lays.
Hundreds Of printers and mechanics
Office. and the Washington Navy Yard
enjoyed q half holiday. They were dis.
missed at noon. The big gunmaKing
plant at the navy yard will be closed
q the Printing Office this evening and
Monday.