The Washington herald., 1916-12-25
CHRISTMAS HERE;
SANTA'sJOB DONE
Lots of Amusement Provided
for People Of the Capital
of the Nation.

Christmas is here. II isn't necessary 10
remind YOU Of this fact, but even report
ers have the Christmas spirit, although
they had to work last night when Santa
Claus was busy decorating trees and dis
trfbuttng presents. So. q merry Christ
mas to you all
Santa's superhuman task Is completed
and Washington homes should be loaded
with gifts by this morning conveying the
compliments Of the season from relatives
happy today II they have absorbed the
Christmas spirit Of good cheer.
Since the big day has arrived. what are
you going to do with II?
There q no end to the ways In which
the day can be spent. The amusement
seeker VIII find diversified programs In
the theaters. There Will be no limit to
the variety Of tempting dishes offered by
the special menus in cafes and restau-
rants today for the many who feel that
q good meal Is a major part Of the
Christmas celebration. Churches will have
services which will EXPRESS the spiritual
significance of the day.
But on this day OF peace and harmony
the weather man strikes a discordant
note. Predictions are that the weather
Will be "out Of joint" Snow and ice have
been almost inseparably associated with
Christmas Of years gone by. Santa Claus
has always been pictured as making his
rounds in his sleigh drawn by reindeer
However. today will not be white
II the forecast is correct the weather
will be cloudy with rain probable. But
CHEEKY interiors will more than Offset the
drear exterior.
Chfldren's own Day.
The day win be lively enough. Children
VIII begin 1t. because to little ones Christ
mas Is the day of all DAYS This will
De one morning when parents need not
call them dozen times. Little boys and
girls VIII rather make sleep impossible
Tor their parents at an eaIy hour with
footing horns, beating drums and rattling
toys.
Mothers and fathers will have one safe
bet today and that is that their chill
dren will have no headache, toothache.
tomachache or any of the other ailments
ir the category of excuses which fire.
quently permit them to miss a day In
school
Christmas was fttingIy ushered in last
night with midnight masses in a number
OF catholic and Episcopal Churches. There
were many special Christmas programs
IN all churches yesterday. The program
CT Christmas carols and exercises on the
south steps of the Treasury Building, un-
der the auspices OF the Washington PLAY
ground Department, delighted hundreds
OF children and grown-ups yesterday aft
"rnoon and was an appropriate forerun-
ner Of Christmas
Thousands Of ashingtonisos will no
especially happy today because of the
thousht that they have not forgotten
their less fortunate brother. Charitabia
institutions will bring Christmas toy 20
. today
The Associated Charities has gladdened
the hearts OF r1any by aiding the needy
WITH groceries, fuel, clothing and other
necessities The Salvation Army. Gosnel
Mission and the Central Union Mission
VIII play an important part in the dis
tributtnn Of charity
Many Free DInners
At the headquarters of the three latter
institutions free dinners will be given
the poor. Many baskets Of food and
stacks of clothing have already been given
away. Large Christmas trees will be
the setting for entertainments for the
children who will receive gifts
Following n thirty-thFee-year custom.
Saks & Company will distribute 100 over
coats this morning at 10 o'clock to de-
serving boys. Tickets have been given to
a number of boys who will be on hand
to receive their presents The boys will
he admitted at the Seventh street en-
trance. Trained investigators have ascer-
tanned that all of those who will receive
gifts really need them.
Aside from these charitable efforts to-
day many needy persons will be aided
through frateTnal and other organiza-
tions. Many orders and clubs have Christ
mas trees for the poor and special enter
tainments have been prepared in connec-
tion with the observation Of open-house
at most all houses.