The Washington times., 1916-01-01
Hotels Were Crowded.

ana eVCrythlng was done TO accOnmC-
date all corners and to make them COM
Hotels Were Crowded.
The dining rooms, reception rooms.
private rooms. and banquet rooms of
the willard. Raleigh. Shoreham. Eb-
bitt. Occidental. Powhatan. and many
other hotels we're crowded to their
capacity until the New Year spirit had
almost spent itself. Hundreds OF South
and Central American savants and their
handsomely gowned and bejeweled
color and a distinctive foreign touch
to the celebrations In the various
hotels and contributed materially to
the holiday spirit and revelry.
The management of the Willard con-
verted the two large ball rooms into
dining halls to accommodate the Loo
or more men and women holding reser-
vations. and others applied for tables.
Peacock Alley was ablaze with bril-
liant lights, which glowed upon pic
turesque groups OF richly attired WON
en- representing society circles OF the
National Capital and many other cities.
The lobbies OF the hotel, appropriately
decorated for the occasion. were crowd
ed with merry groups. whose laughter
rang out in one big. glad chorus. and
scores OF private rooms were lifted IN
as dining parlors for parties OF four
six. eight. and ten.
All the lights were extinguished at the
Willard at Il o'clock. a big navy bell
weighing $50 pounds was rung twelve
solemn. booming times. and an instant
later the whole establishment burst out
In thousands OF lights. many OF which
had not been turned on earlier In the
evening. "Auld Lang Svne" was sung
as the old year passed awav. and then
a thousand voices shouted. Happy New
Year"
Similar scenes were duplicated at the
Shoreham. Ebbitt. Raleigh. Powhatan
Occidental. and other hotels. dancing
and the flashing Of large electric signs
spelling Happy New Year supple
menting the gladstone demonstrations.
Doves Let Loose.
One OF the prettiest Of the many novel
ideas carried out by the hotel manage
ments in their extravaRant and spec
tacular ARRANGEMENTS for the holiday
parties. was the releasing OF a flock OF
doves among the guests of Gus Buch-
holz. proprietor OF the Occidental Hotel
Just as a big grandfather clock finished
the last stroke Of u. and before the
New Year was more than an instant old
ohe door OF the Huge timepiece was
opened and a large flock OF pure white
doves huttered out. circlinG above the
heads of the surprised and delighted
diners for several moments. and then
settling on the edges of the profusely
decorated tables. The flight OF the
doves made pretty picture which
charmed the diners and held them spell
bound for, short space of time.
ino Httle messengers of rcace were
tame, and soon fraternalized with the
men and women gathered at the tables
Examination disclosed the fact that
some OF the doves wore tiny ribbons
bearing the names Of the warning ma
tions of Europe. All of them proved
friendly and tame except the one bear
ing the word England" This bird re-
fused to be conquered by the holiday
spirit, and kept Its distance. looking
down disdainfully on the party from
its lofty perch at the top of a plush
curtain above a window.
Washingtonians wished for more than
one New Year Eve a year, but after
all 1t may be just as we'll that they are
few and far between.