The Washington herald., 1918-01-01
1918 ARRIVES
WITH WELCOME;
TEMPERED
Absence of John Barleycorn
and War AtmosphereSu Sub
due Usual Celebration.

Robbed OF all the gay and reckless
abandon which custom has hitherto
religiously provided, the old year gave
way to the new one in a mood most
sober, ignominiously merging itself
with those which had gone before
promptly at the fated hour.
Even the pandemOnium of whistles
and bells which inevitably attends the
birth of a new year did not pan" out.
To be sure there was sufficient tumult
Of the old esr-piercing vintage which
woke even those who had resolved to
sleep it through.
Usual ThrOngs Missing.
There were no throngs along the
Avenue or on any of the other prin-
cipal thoroughfares. From appear
ances the night might have been an
other than the "stretch run" Of a
year so crowded with vital world his
tory.
The spirit of war. which tempered
the frivolity at Christmas times, had
great deal to do with Wsshington's
calmest year passing. but the absence
Of genial Old John Barleycorn must
also be given credit for putting
damper on the occasion.
Hotel managers, mindful OF their
pledges TO the various conservation
officials, discouraged any tendency
on the part of their guests who
were inclined TO make a night Uf
it." and consequently lights were
turned low at the usual nOur. as n
National Capital homes.
All Hope for Peace
Among the faithful few who
stayed up to do honor to the young
ling, 1918. however, there was a
sincere Happy New Year atmos-
phere. Perhaps in this effect is
| found the keynote for it all
| u seemed that behind each greeting
| was the prayerful hope that the CON-
ing might not only be a new" yeal
but a peace" year 1t seemed that the
I CITY Was not so mindful over the pass
Fing of an old year as they were Of the
I birth of the new. with its democratic
possibilities.
| Today, from indications. a unique
! celebration will be rendered young
! 1918. wherein every WashinCtonian vii
make up for the intensity Of recogni'
| tion. which certainly was lacking las'
night, by paying their tribute TO tht
new year in a more heartfelt and last
/ ing manner.
Nineteen hundred and seventeen
saw the floating OF two huge HberJl
loans by the government, and th'
coming OF ISIS found the nation in tn
midst Of a campaign to raise addi
! tional millions through the sale o
/ war savings and thrift stsmps.
| The population OF WASH si-n in
creased . per cent. with the recen
/ police census placing the population
here now at $500
| Entry of the United States into IN,
| war almost entirely changed the a.
fpeCt of the city. Street car traffic ha,
been taxed beyond capacity. and thou
sands Of automobiles pass in streams
! through the downtown sections day
and night.
| Washington mail. both incominl
and outgoing, is greater than ever be
| fore.
John BarIeycOrn Has Passed.
Dozens of new structures have beer
/ erected 10 house new government
| agencies. Old John BaTleycoTn M
| longer walks in the open in the city
He was banished two months befor,
| the close of the ye8T-on November
i. when under the prohibition IaN
all the saloons of the District were
ordered closed.
Baltimore has become popular and
| late trains returning home brinG
many local residents and when heavy
suitcases are lifted down a rattl,
of many bottles resounds.