The Washington times., 1924-01-01
PRESIDENT
RECE IVES
PUBLIC
TO-DAY
Majority Of District Churches
Celebrate Event at Watch
Night Service.

With the birth of the new
year, already written without
capitals, safely out Of the way,
Washington is today looking back
on the memories Of the hectic
celebration which welcomed its
advent and is passing the day
quietly in preparation for the
years activities which, begin to-
morrow.
The official observance Of the
new year takes place today, with
the reception at the White House.
Otherwise the day is without nm
usual features.
Celebration Welcomes Year.
The change Of years was celebra
ted in Washington as universally
and very nearly as boisterously as
it was in the wettest Of wet days.
Nor was last nights celebration
the arid affair it might b sup
posed.
The hotels Of the National Capt.
tai never presented more colOrful
picture than last night, this feature
surprising anything that had been
known in previous years.
At the majority of churches con-
gregations greeted the year with
simple religious services and so
Gals. In many clubs and homes
watch-night parties were held, last
ing over into the small hours OF
the first day of the New Year.
All through downtown Washing.
ton, in the streets and in the hotels
and cafes, high carnival reigned
long before midnight, the revelry
reaching its climax as the lights
were momentarily extinguished on
the stroke Of twelve. It is estimated
that at least $4,000 gathered at the
various hotels.
OfficialdOm Holds Reception.
Prominent officials and members
of the diplomatic corps greeted the
new year with receptions and par
ties at local hotels. Sadao Saburi,
counselor at the japanese embassy.
and Nine. Saburi, were hosts to a
distinguished gathering at the
Hotel Shoreham. Similar functions
took place at the Lafayette, the
Raleigh and Congress Hall hotels.
Despite cover charges, which
reached q new high mark for Wash.
fV0c 0Nf ov1V A.
per person, there were no vacancies
at any of the local hostelries or
cafes, many of them having ex
hausted their reservations days. and
in some cases weeks, ago. SOuve-
Mrs, ranging from handsome jewel
cases to noise-making devices Of
every description, were furnished BY
the hotels.
Cafe L'Aigl0n Opens.
The celebration was marked by
the opening Of the Cafe LsAigion,
Eighteenth street and Columbia
road northwest, where $50 guests
were entertained,
Attracted by the mild weather and
clear skies, thousands thronge4 the
streets in the downtown section. A
great crowd. gathered in Pennsyls
vania avenue in front Of the Post
office Department building just be.
fore midnight to watch the great
hands in the tower clocks come to-
gether.
President Coolidge and the mem
bers Of his Cabinet celebrated the
event quietly. The only unusual
event Of the evening at the White
House occurred at 10 o'clock when
the President went to his study, &C
companied by members Of the Cali.
fornia delegation in Congress, and
touched a telegraph key. closing
the circuit which started d new
filtration plant in Sacramento, Cal.
Retires Early.
Shortly afterward the President
and his family retired, waiting until
this morning to welcome the new
year.
Special music and sermons were
given in downtown churches. which
were crowded. Early in the night
the great chimes in the tower OF
the Church Of the Epiphany began
to peal forth a welcome to the
coming year. Their music was
broadcast by radio to the city and
nation.