New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-12-25
PRESIDENT SINGS
IN XMAS CHORUS
With Mrs. Wilson, lie
Joins in Carols on Treas
ury Building Steps

Washington, Dec E4.-lhe fres'ue"1
and Mrs. Wilson and their household
welcomed the Christmas spirit along
with members Of the Cabinet, diplo-
rnats- nnd-cthers- in and out o. oficial
life. and the holiday is being cele-
brated as the prosperity OF the coun-
try demands
The President and his wife attended
community Christmas eve celebration
here to-day and for more than an hour
stood on the steps of the Treasury De-
partmcnt singing Christmas carols with
several thousand men. women and chill
dren. With them we're Francis B. Sayre
and Mrs Sayre. Miss Margaret wilson
was one Of the leaders OF the singing
and Secretary and Mrs McAdoo stood
with her.
The celebration, held under the au-
spices Of the Washington Fairgrounds
Association, was participated in By Boy
and Girl Scouts.
Wilson Talks with Children
The President had not planned to
attend. but just before the singing be-
gan he walked over from the White
House with members Of his family. A
sheet OF music WAS handed to him. At
intervals he and Mrs. Wilson talked
with the children and wished them q
Merry Christmas.
This morning the'President and Mrs.
Wilson vent to church and in the even
ing they visited relatives.
A huge fir tree has beer set up in
the library at the White House and
hundreds Of tiny electric lights will be
switched on tomorrow. revealing a
wealth of glittering tinsel. There will
be quantities of toys for little Ellen A.
McAdoo. the Presidents granddaugh-
ter. and his grandniece, Josephine Goth
ron. Other children have been invited
Miss Margaret Wilson. with Miss
Helen Woodrow Bones. has superin-
tended the erection Of the tree and has
purchased most of the toys for the
children.
The Secretary of the Treasury and
Mrs. McAdoo will have the largest
Christmas party OF the Cabinet to-
morrow. and a giant tree will be light
ed there for Ellen McAdoo and her
stepniece. Mona Martin, who with her
mother, Mrs. c. Taber Martin, is spend
ing the holidays in Washington.
The Secretary Of the Navy and Mrs.
Daniels have large family house
party and will light tree tomorrow
as will the Secretary OF War and Mrs.
Baker and the Secretary OF Agriculture
and Mrs. Houston.
Fir Blares for England
A tall fir has been set up IN the
British Embassy and will be lighted
tomorrow. while many ancient Gus
toms OF England are observed. On ac-
count Of the war there will be no for
mality about the celebration. but an
effort will be made 10 lift from the
hearts OF the children the general
gloom felt BY older members OF the
corps who represent warring coun-
tries.
Little Miss Betty Spring Rice and
her brother. Anthony Spring Rice. will
entertain children of the Counsellor Of
the Embassy and Mrs. Colyille Barclay
,nd the two small sons of the Mill
,srv Attach6 and Mrs. Murrough
OBrien. Other children OF members
~ the staff will join them in the mer-
riment.
The Christmas trees of the Nor
wegian and Swiss legations burned
brightly tonight, and parties OF chill
dren were asked in. Tomorrow the
Minister OF Sweden and Nine. Eken-
gren will light a Christmas tree in
American fashion for their two little
girls. Elsie and Christina.
celebration WAS held a, the Chi
n.se Legation. where the Minister and
Nine. Koo entertained large party OF
Cbines, students who are on vacation
Despite the troubled state Of sra,rs M
IN Mexico, a celebration in keeping
n,,b ali the interesting traditions OF
that country was earred out, and a
IRE, vas lighted in ths Mexican En-
bsssy. In ] Street