The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1917-01-02
faded Jewellers Return to Daily
TreadmiII of AccuStom-
ed Life.
CELEBRATION NEVER GAYER
Thousands Dance Till Early
Dawn After Hours OF
Feasting.
And now for a little work.

Cer1ng, ana glorious We" 1Sai SSAS-
bration in the hotels, cafes, and homes
of the city early this morning, Wash
ingtonians have returned to the tread
mill.
Although the indoor welcome to the
new year was twenty-four hours later
than usual, the christening exercises
for 1917 were a most frolicsome sue
cess, and In point of gayety, novelty,
and merriment probably surpassed
every similar affair staged in Wash.
ington.
The crowds which thronged the
gayly bedecked hotels, clubs, and
cafes were never larger nor did they
ever abandon themselves more ut
terly to sheer enjoyment of the holi-
day occasion. The hotels were never
more, attractively decorated, the
bonifaces never as generous with
favors, souvenirs, and hospitality.
Washington was out en- masse to
usher in the new year befttingly and
make q most dinful and mirthful sue
cess Of It.
Makes Brilliant Spectacle.
with thousands of women in color
full seyening gowns and dazzling
Jewels; and men in conventional
evening attire or shimmering uni
forms of the army and navy touched
CT with gold lace and braids, throng-
ing the hotel Hobbies, dining halls,
and Bathrooms, scenes Of charm and
beauty abounded on all sides.
The merry laughter of happy parties
mingled with music from scores Of hid
den orchestras, while over the joyful
Al lah alnl kk,atr
efrulgent Iuminance. At each Of the
hotels the guests were costumed with
Ounce caps, clown caps, and chapeaus
Of q thousand other varieties, while
confetti was thrown from table to table
and from time to time the rooms were
darkened and Happy New Year" was
flashed In blazing electric letters.
Crowds Sing Old Songs.
Society folk, men and women from
Official and diplomatic circles, and
Washingtonians generally mingled in
the great crowds which assembled to
sing Aud Lang Syne" over the pass
ing of 1916, and Hail to the New Year"
for 1917. There was feasting, dancing,
amusement and diversion for everyone,
and the only regret expressed by any of
the guests was that ''3 o'clock in the
morning comes 50 SOON
The bedlam Of noise which greeted
the New Year last night closely rtvailed
the outdoor demonstration on New Year
Eve, for the manager OF the hoste!ries
provided hundreds Of horns, bells,
whistles, rattles and other contraptions
capable Of adding to the general din.
Besides these favors there were
many others taken to the hotels and
cafes by guests who had a special
preference for some particular kind
of a device which would enable them
to give the New Year a little more
vociferous welcome than fellow.
merrymakers.
Although 10 o'clock was the hour at
which the supper de luxe was SEIZED.
uled to begin at the Willard, the won
derfully attfred women and their es.
corts began arriving long before that,
and Momus' wand was waved over the
fantastically decorated dining halls
in advance OF the anticipated hour.
Peacock Alley" was never more daz-
King with lights, color, beautiful
women, and flowers than just before
the festal portals were thrown open
for enjoyment of the repast.
Adjourn to Ballroom.
After three hours of feasting the
merrymakers, all wearing the paper
costumes distributed by the manage
ment, marched out of the dining room
and adjourned to the main ballroom
on the tenth floor. which was a maze
Of lights, flowers, and color, A
lively fox trot greeted the guests. as
they entered the room and the dance
was on. II continued until all the
guests admitted that the New years
hours and energy were too much for
them.
Each OF the women guests At thu
willard received as a souvenir a cut
glass smelling salts bottle with a sil.
yer top.
ReVelry Everywhere.
At the Raleigh, shoreham, Ebbitt
Powhatan, Occidental, Continental. st
James, as well as at Haryey's and thu
other cafes, the clubs and homes sirnI.
lar scenes OF revelry and gayety were
observed.
Following the supper de luz, q,
the Raleigh, at which all the Ruests
wore ludicrous headgear and other
fayors, the merrymakers danced for
several hours in the main lobby,
which was wonderfully decorated
with mistletoe, holly, fir, other ever
greens, and flags.
Generous souvenirs wero distributed
20 the diners at the Ebbitt, where
supper ds luxe was served IA the base
ment restaurant. the gold room, Dutch
room, and mammoth crystal room, All
Of the guests wore magicians' caps
and Joined in the singing OF "Auld
Lang Syne."
Generous BaVors Given.
Each OF the hundreds OF women who
went. TO the Shoreham was given q
large corsage bouquet Of vioIets and
sweet peas, while all the men received
4 box containing fifty cigarettes, The
decorations at the Bhofeham were de-
ciaFed to be the most beautiful ever
seen there, while the music furnished
BY three orchestFas, kept the twinkle
toed folk constantly awhirl,
At the POwhatan gold knives were
given TO all the men and gold pencils
20 the women as souvenirs of the most
enjoyable time any of them ever had.
A gigantic fir tree heavily laden with
Christmas paFaphsrnaliR ELECTED won
DEF and admiration, while the general
scheme of decorations of the tables,
walls and posts provoked many ex-
CARNATIONS Of surprise and Joy. Magic
Wands, confetti and ribbon were seen
in abundance, while the charm OF
music and myriad giittering lights
added to the captivating ensemble.
6Onething unique in the way OF