Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1918-01-01
QUIET FIRST DAY
Of THE new YEAR
INcAP|TAL' CITY
Washington Residents Exhibit
Spirit BETTING Serious
ness Of the Times.
SERVICE STARS ON FLAGS
FEATURE OF DECORATIONS

-
Absence Of Hilarity Conspicuous
Programs in Churches-Local Or
carnations Keep Open House.
on;etlv and in a spirit BETTING the
.eriousness of the times, Washington 10
observing its first New Year day since
the nation became an actual beliigereh'
and combatant in the world war.
: Little Of the levity that has marked
New Year observance in the past Is 10
be noted anywhere in the city, or IN
fact. in the length and breadth OF the
land. Rather the spirit of the day is
one Of sober and solemn thoughtfuiness'
tempered with optimism that IS an IN
er.dicable part of the American nature
.e,So time for empty laughter. careless
sxtrayaEance and thoughtless 1oiihca-
t,on. but still less time for gloom.
observation-disclosures and discouragemehe
might well express what appears TO De
the ruling sentiment.
~ most of the clubs of the city open
house is being kept, ana streams VI
callers are passing through rooms Deco,
rated with greeasery. me te. ai1isa o na-
tions make up the greater part OF tne
decorative scheme everywhere, however
and service hags with one or more stars
AZ well as Red Cross emblems olspiay-
meynherahip are conspicuous decorations.
At headquarters Of the National Wom-
an SUFFRAGE Association. in Rhode Is
land avenue open house was kept our
ing the day. Several thousand carers
were received by the score or more OF
Aostesses-
Association Of Oldest Inhabitants.
The usual New Year day meeting of
the Oldest Inhabitants' Association in
the ORGANIZATIONS rooms in the old en-
zine house. at the corner of 18th and H
streets northwest. was largely attended,
This being function that has not been
omitted since the formation OF the as
sociation.
nem6ers and vfaitoFs. Including many
strangers in the city, were recetved.sAt
the formers headuuarteys bssiidinx 2
pfo4rnm Of athletic events was given
eoitest WAS . feature of the evening
Entertainment. At the 7. w. C A
home. 18th and G streets. callers were
welcomed during the day and evening.
z. .n sg sRsess .na eshsas & ana sn
refFeih1nants were served There was
Opan ho1ae also at the new dormitofy
buildfnGt Of the institution, at 11th and
The arst annual New Year declama-
tory contest under the auspices of the
Boys r. II. c. A. was held this after
. noon In the assembly hall OF the CEN
trail y. n. C. A. building, when con-
testAnts representing the different de-
bAtfhg and dramatic societies Of the
city competed for prize of SO in war
savings stamps offered by James Sharp,
chairman of the boys work committee,
At o'clock this evening concert is
s to be given in the assembly hall Of the
central Y. n. c. A. tickets Of admis-
sion to which may be obtained on ap-
pfication at the office.
Services at Churches and Missions.
New Year day services were held at
practically all of the churches Of the
city and at the quarters Of the various
charitable organisations and missions.
New Year dinners were served at the
aIen. tho Salvation Army the volun-
tsers Of America and other similar
organisations.
A reception to members of all branch
- Of colored Masonry Of the District is
to be held from pm. to 8 pm. today
At 1872 eth street northwest, the host
being Capt. John f. Smith. grand mas
ter OF Masons. colored. of this jurisdic-
tion. Capt Smith Is to be assisted by
representatives of the various coiored
Masonic organizations of the District.
OF the Safe and Saner VARIETY.
Washington has long been accustomed
10 4th OF July celebrations of the safe
ana sane variety Last night, however.
the National Capital observed its first
New Year eve under such conditions.
and the occasion did not appear to be
an especially enjoyable one
The nothing doing sign might as
well have been displayed over the en-
tire city. The usual New Year eve
crowd on the Avenue was notable only
Dy reason Of its absence. The hotels
had> no throngs of merry revelers
Feather tickelers. tin horns and con-
ietti were not In evidence. Voices
were not raised in giadsome carols
There were no bright lights-at least
not any more than are to be seen on
any other night. In short. the evening
was notable for the things that were
lacking: nothing was left of the occa-
sion but regretfui memories OF other
New Year ewes
OhS SA ttio 0OWutoWn n0telS dt4Dlaye0
electric signs expressing the wish that
itS patrons and friends might enjoy a
hAppy New Year. At one or two Others
late diners danced. and there were a Few
rnumed shrieks and half hearted gir9ies
when the lights winked out for a mo-
ment at midnight
No Hilarity in This Cafe.
At famous Avenue cafe. bow.ve-
where other New Year ewes have baer
celebrated with revelry. song anr
htiarity. and where aforetime Racchms
and Terpsichore have reigned unt;J ~.
nrst sun of the New Year peeped abovs
the horizon, subdued and cIoisfereS
calm prevailed. ee
At midnight a few whistles toofad anl
rev bells rang out on the froatv .jr
Little groups in hotels and clubs M .snl
the compliments OF the season. Watct
parties at many OF the churches brok,
up With the singing Of hymns and sucf
songs as Aud Lang Syne." and WASH,
tnston's nrst dry celebration Of Ne.
Year eve. as well as its first observa t;o,
OF the night under actual war condi
tions. passed into history.
Japan in Australian Piano Trade
MELBOURNE. December 10 fhv
mziD.-Japan has entered the piano
trade and is exporting an uprieb,
piano to Australia at a price OF fo7
xnr.f f<.fx q n