The Washington herald., 1922-12-25
SANTA CLAUS
bR|GHTENS UP
EVERY HOME
Yuletide Joy Pervades City
as Kris KingIe Distributes
Gifts to Both Rich and Poor
CANDLES At WHITE HOUSE
First Lady Of Land" Today
Will Enjoy Turkey Dinner
With President Harding

With impressive religious serv-
ices, midnight visits by Santa
Claus, carolling by singers from
many churches and a general spirit
Of cheer and happiness. Washing
ton opened its observance of
Christmas early today.
Shortly after dusk a Christmas
candle was lighted in a White
House window. and long and slen-
der rays of greeting were shed far
and near. Up and down the avenues
and streets of the Capital myriad
colored lights burned bright and
beautiful like stars as a welcome to
Christmas.
HARDING TO CELEBRATE.
Led by President Harding
Washington-and the nation-will
celebrate the day in the good old
fashioned way. with family din
ners. fireside gatherings, and jolli
fications.
The President and Mrs. Harding
Harding will Join her distinguished
husband at the family dinner to-
day at noon. All of the members of
the. Cabinet with the exception of
Secretaries Fall and Mellon are
here with their families.
Shortly before midnight the
streets were filled with worshippers
on their way to attend the many
masses and services held in the
various churches. The larger
Catholic churches held solemn high
masses. The services at the Fran
ciscan Monastery in Brookland
were the most impressive. Hun.
dreds were turned away for lack
of seating space in that historic
edifice.
At old st. Patrick's, at St
Thomas and at the new shrine
Of the Sacred Heart on upper Six
teenth street there wasn't enough
room to accommodate those who
gathered for the Christmas mass.
SITS ALONE IN PEW.
The Church of the Epiphany held
special service. So did the other
Episcopal congregations. President
Harding attended the morning
| services at Calvary Baptist Church
yesterday. He sat alone in his
| regular pew.
Aside from the religious wor-
shippers there was little gaiety on
the streets last night. Folks who
live in Washington were home
| completing the decorating of that
tree in preparation for the visit of
| Santa Claus.
Postmaster Chance and his help.
Q6 of
their utmost to deliver all parcels
One delivery of first-class matter
will be made this morning but the
parcel post department will work
as long as there is anything to be
| sent out.
FINE FOR THE KIDDIES.
Theaters have special programs
for this afternoon and tonight
But the employees of the tbester
held their celebrations early. Gran
dall's theaters are having snecial
parties for the kiddies in the
various neighborhood houses today
Two tons of candy, truck loads of
TOYS and trinkets will be given
away. ei'e"
yesterday was the final "distrihu.
tion day" Thousands of Wasbins
tonians-diplomats, legislators, Cabi.
net members and clerks as well as
rsanizattons-gave of their own
possessions that others less fortu.
nate might he happy. II there Is
anyone In Washington TODAY. no
matter what his affliction, whose
burden is not lifted somewhat this
morning 1t will not be because low.
ing hearts have neglected him,
Orphans and the aged in their
asylums. prisoners in their cells. the
SICK In their cots, the homeless in
their missions. the blind, the halt
and the lame and the poor in their
tenements-all were remembered in
some manner
Baskets of food and warm cloth.
ing were distributed all over the
city by various charitable agencies
Toys, games and clothing were
dropped down figurative chimneys bv
| unofficial Santa Clauses for the kid
dies. Christmas trees were erected
| at the mission houses. Special din
mere were provided for the home
less
VETERANS ARE REWARDED.
Veterans of the world war. both
In and out of hospitals were gen
erously rewarded. Today at Walter
Heed. Mount Alto and Naval hos
pitfalls the boys who fought over
there" will be treated to roast tur
key. cranberry sauce, sweet pota-
toes and all the other delicacies
known to the art of cookery.
At the Gospel Mission last night
more than 100 Chinese children were
| treated to a visit by an American
Santa Claus. The Oriental chill
dren had a special program Of ma
tive games and songs. Today 500
Of the poorer folks Of the city will
! gather at the mission at o'clock for
a real Christmas dinner Santa will
distribute gifts from huge tree at
8 o'clock
Other useful presents have been
sent by various groups and others
have rendered valuable volunteer
service In preparing the gifts for
Christmas deliverv