Evening star., 1914-12-24

with-a white Christmas in prospect.
If rain does not come, or if sufficiently
cold weather does ccme 10 freeze the
snow already on the ground. both OF
which the weather bureau says are pos
sibilities Washington is all ready for
the great festival.
On all sides there is the "old-tme
physical aspect of Christmas. as prepa-
rations are rushed to completion. Be
lated shoppers are hurry.ng through the
streets. shaking the snow from their
bundles and wraps; others are taking
train and automobile, off for a holiday:
here and there some particularly enter
prising person has got out the old
fashioned sleigh trying to be the first
10 sound the Christmas bells in the city
streets.
President Sets Example.
President Wilson. Washington's lead
ing Citizen is himself today setting
the example of holiday making. fIe went
solfing, despite the snow. and children
who i've along the road he takes to the
golf club were made happy by the ar
rival of an automobile filled with pres
ents from the White House. They have
always watched tor the fres. dent as he
passed, and Always wave their hands to
MIN as he goes by Today he remem-
bcred their interest with Christmas gifts
the plaza at the east front of the
Capitol 10 be The great mecca this
afternoon Tor Washlngtonians. There
the community Christmas celebration
will begin promptly at . O'CLOCK
Community Christmas Festival.
Young and old, rich and poor alike
will gather there to participate in
.Tasningtons second community Christ
mas festival; to 0enoId the huge COM
munIty Christmas tree with its hun
Gfeus OF blazing lights; to witness the
presentation OF taDIeauX depicting
scenes III the Little Town of Betnle-
hem 1,54i years aso tonight, anu to
yoIn in singing Christmas hymns and
carols SO dear to the hearts OF every
one
AT the foot of the steps where Pres
idents have stood to take the oath of
once as cnlef magistrate oI the ianu,
d nuse pine tree stands today. From it's
pIancnes, extending 10 Il nelsnt OF slAty
feet ABOVE the street, Loo electric
lights are hanging III 1estoons On the
pedestal on Wn On the tree rests there
Is an electric sign bearing the legend
Peace on eartn, good will toward
men.
To Begin at 5 O'Clock.
Everything is in readiness for the
this afternoon, when the electric cur
rent will be switched on and the tree
Will be instantly transformed into a
blaze of glory. At this moment the
Marine Band, under the directorship
of Lieut. William II. Santelmaun, will
sound the first strains of Beethoven's
majestic Creation Hymn the first
number of the program for the festi-
val, which follows:
Marine Band. Creation Hymn"
<Beethoven); hymn, 20 Come, Emman-
lehem"; tableau, Mary and Joseph on
the Way to Bethlehem; hymn. 20
Come All Ye Faithful; tabIeau, wise
Men and Shepherds; Marine Band,
"Cantigue de Nier' (Adsms), cornet
solo: hymn. "Hark, the Herald Angels
Sing; tableau. Posing of Angels;
hymn, "Stille Nacht"; tableau. Birth
OF the Savior; hymn, .All Hail the
Power of Jesus Name" and star
Spangled Banner.
All day force of workmen has been
guarding the huge tree, fearing that
the weight of the snow combined with
that of the hundreds of electric lights
might prove too much for the branches
and cause them to give way. At late
hour this afternoon everything was
reported to be ship shape" and it was
felt that no difficulties would be en-
countered.
To Continue an Hour.
The program of the festival will oc-
cupy about one hour. it is estimated.
The chorus will be directed by Prof
otto T. Simon and the tableaux pre-
scented under the guidance of Mrs
Clara u. Neigh. The cornet solo will
be played by Arthur Witcomb. a men,
Der of the Marine Band The pro-
gram will conclude with the singing
OF THE Star Spangled Banner" by the
entire assemblage.
Under the direction of Chairman f
r. s Embrey, public order committee
Of forty members Will assist the Capi-
tol and city police III maintaining or
der during the festival. In this work
Boy Scouts under the leadership of
Field Executive $. S. Aplin also viii
assist
Has Proved No Small Task.
Providing community Christmas
festival for Washington has proven no
small task for the citizens who have
served on the executive committee in
(Continusd on Second Page.)