The Washington herald., 1915-12-25
YULETDE SPIRIT RULES
THE CITY TODAY
CONTINUED FROM PAGE ONE.

nuts and. perhaps. a little egsnos Tor
the crown-ups, with an extra dose OF
..nog" for those who believe In ultra
celebration.
II will be a varied Christmas. too.
Santa Clau, believes in democracy. He
believes that the poor Of the city shouid
share the JOYS of Yuletide along with the
wealthy and those in moderate circuni-
stances. So he has summoned myriad
assistants with charitable and philan-
thropic dispositions to aid him in this
mission of democracy. The Santa Claus
Girl, who makes her home at 20 Seaton
place northwest. was out until very late
last night distributing toys to little boys
and girls who dreamed wonderful dreams
of Santa, but had little hopes of realiza-
tion. And the Christ Child Society. with
heaquarters at 90 G street northwest.
sent gifts to more than 1000 poor chill
dren.
AImas Temple Gives $50 Baskets.
The members Of Almas Temple. Mobiles
Of the Mystic Shrine. yesterday distrib-
uted baskets to more than $50 worthy but
destitute families And the Salvation
Army, Associated Charities. Central
Union Mission. Gospel Mission. together
with numerous other charitable organiza-
tions likewise aided Santa In equalizing
the Yuletide cheer-a sort OF a socialistic
undertaking. you understand.
This afternoon at o'clock the Gospel
Mission. 2l4 John Marshall place. will
serve a Christmas dinner for homeless
men. 1t will be followed by musical
and literary program. including children's
choral numbers. tableaux and dramatic
offerings. Last night ''The Three Wise
Men" was presented at the mission. Cen
trail Union Mission. go Louisiana avenue
northwest, also will serve dinner early
this afternoon for homeless men. Follow
ing the meal there will be a distribution
of sweaters, toys and candy for poor chill
dren.
Midnight Masses Held.
Many of the Catholic and Episcopal
churches held midnight masses to usher
in the Saviours natal day. Hundreds OF
persons thronged the edifices TO hear
the special music. Morning services were
held in a still larger number of churches.
Most of these services started long be-
fore daylight. Paeans Of praise were
sung. special musical numbers were rem
dered, appropriate sermons were preach
ed, and Christmas carols were included
to give the right atmosphere.
Scores of individual Christmas celebra-
tions will be given today and tonight
by local organizations OF various kinds.
Treasury Employees Have q Tree.
Employees Of the Treasury Of the United
States, more than 100 Of them, ranking
high and low, got present from a beau
tifully decorated tree in the Treasury
Building yesterday. Lee Pitchlynn, from
the chief clerks office was Santa Claus,
and Treasurer John Burke and Chief
Clerk Warner made speeches.
The II & EnRineer C0rna had their
celebration with a tree for the children
at the Washington barracks last even
ing at 5 o'clock. The Engineers Band
supplied the program supplemented with
recitations.
Children OF the Forest Service employees
gathered with their parents for a Santa
Claus celebration yesterday morning In
the drafting room of the Forest Service
Building. A tribute was paid to Uncle
Harry" Towers. who originated the Gus
tom In the department. w. C. Stump
was Santa. Albert F. Potter and Harry
8. Graves made addresses.
Dinner in the Occidental Hotel was
the Christmas entertainment supplied
by the Lanman Engraving Company
to its employees yesterday. Each guest
was given a souvenir.
Two Kinds OF Celebratious.
Two xmas OF CHRISTMAS celebratfonS
went on in the Department Of Com
merce. Building yesterday in quick
succession. In the chief clerks Of
fce was q tree with gifts suited to
each employees own weaknesses and
speeches by Secretary Redfeld and
others. In the office of Disbursing
Clerk George Johannes was q collec-
tion taken among the employees, the
results Of which went to make up
eight heavily loaded baskets Of food
for needy families in the neighbor-
hood.
Washington's army Of government
employees were dismissed at noon yes
terday until Monday morning, with
the exception Of the Government
Printing Office and the Bureau Of En-
craving and Printing workers. who
were given . full holiday yesterday.
These two departments viii b open
sA = .Ial