Evening star., 1914-12-25
CHRISTMAS SPIRIT
d. MUCH IN EVIDENCE
OVER ENTIRE CITY
With Snow Under Foot and
Prospect of More Youth
JoyfuIly Celebrates.
BUSINESS AT STANDSTILL
AND U. S. OFFICES CLOSED
Special Services. With Elaborate Mu-
steal Programs, Are Held
in Churches.
CHARITY ERRANDS NUMEROUS
Hotels and Clubs in Festive Array.
Special Arrangements Made for
Observance of Day in Penal
Institutions.
BUSINESS AT STANDSTILL
AND U. S. OFFICES CLOSED
CHARITY ERRANDS NUMEROUS

With practically all business
at d standstill, and the prospect
OF another almost complete holl-
dav tomorrow, to be followed BY
the observance OF Sunday, Wash
ington today entered upon what
NAV be characterized as three
dav celebration of Christmas.
The activities of the govern
ment are, apparently. halted, and
heads of families OF high or low
station in the affairs OF the city
and the nation are devoting
themselves to the duties OF
church-going and OF home. With
snow underfoot all over the Dis
trict of Columbia, Maryland and
Virginia, and under leaden skies,
which, the weather bureau says,
may yield additional snow to make
the capitals first white Christ
mas in several years prolonged
Joy to Young America" the day
is being celebrated in Washing
ton with perhaps greater regard
for the necessities OF the poor
than has been in evidence for
many years.
Charitable brands Numerous.
Reports Of such charitable errands
by White House automobiles are FREE
quent, the President leading in this as
in other things. A motor car from
the White House this morning visited
poor persons who were known to Mrs
Wilson, following other similar trips
made during the past few days. Other
charitabIy inclined persons, remember
ing the suffering abroad and needs at
home, have done and are. doing what
they car for those who arr mot fortu-
nately situated this year. Good re-
ports are received of the response to
the "forrteen opportunities" offered by
the Associated Charities. At the Cos
mos Theater this morning 1000 pairs
of shoes were distributed by the Sal
Vation Army. The latter organization,
as well as tie Gospel Liission and
others, ave fed - re TO fe' many
hungry persons
special services have been held in
the churches, beginning with yester-
Gays Tooth anniversary OF the sign
Ing of the treaty of Chent. Observing
= century of peace between Anglo
Saxon nations, many churches of the
city yesterday evening held services
at which special prayers were said, in
response to call issued by the COM
mittee of 100 for the celebration of
100 years of peace between Great Brit
ain and the United States These serv-
ices were followed at midnight by i'm
pressive midnight masses in the Cath
oIic churches, one of the largest gath
erings being held at the Brookland
monastery, and by solemn services in
the Episcopal churches. also at mid
night, the most striking of these being
held in the Bethlehem Chapel of the
Cathedral of IS. Peter and Paul at
Mount ST. Alban.
Elaborate Musical Programs.
Striking sermons were preached at
all the churches of Washington today,
and others will be heard this evening,
with elaborate Christmas music pro-
grams.
President Wilson and members of his
family went to the Central Presbyte-
rian Church, and he, like other heads of
families, is with relatives and friends
for the remainder of the day around
the altar of the family fires. At the
White House. for the first Christmas in
many years, there is a baby, this little
parsonage being Miss Anne Cothran,
the Presidents grandniece. and she has
to share great FIR tree with little Miss
Sally McAdoo. daughter OF the Secre-
tary of the Treasury. son-in-laW of the
President.
some Of the children not in the public
eve ara much more fortunate today
than some OF those who are. Inc emil
Surinr-Rjce at the British embassy
have no tree and there is no merry
making there, nor at the German en-
Hassv although Christmas among the
German diplomats has always in past
vears been one of the greatest events
The war has interrupted the intimate
friendly relations among SIX OF tne en-
bassies, and representatives Of the war
ring nations, instead Of entertaining each
other and making gifts to each other. nave
this year spent some of the money tney
would have thus spent upon charities
abroad.
Government Offices Closed.
The war and it's possibilities brought a
little activity to-day to the State, War
and Navy departments. where officials
came down for short periods to look over
kilograms this morning. Otherwise there
Is practically no activity in government
circles All of the departments closed at
1a.sc CT o'clock yesterday, and many
of,cials and clerks obtained leave of abb
sence over Saturday and Sunday. for the
purpose of going out Of town. to visit
reiattyes and friends. Union station, in
consequence, last night and this morn
ing. presented lively scenes as travellers
arrived and departed.
congress is in recess, and many sen
.tors and representatives have gone
Srme. Vice President and Mrs. Marshall
arc spending Christmas at the Arizona
hone of Mrs. Marshalls father Secre'
tary Garrison and Mrs. Garrison are al
Atlantic City for the holiday, and Sec
r,tsry Bryan is spending the day at Fair
fay. Va. with a relative, Mrs. Bryan hav
-. name west To Ne with their daughter,