Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1925-12-20

permost in the reports from all Amer
lean cities was the preparations for
the needy. the poor, the forgotten. the
inmate, the waif. In this respect the
similarity of functions planned in
more than 20 OF the oountry's largest
cities indicated that one hand may
have directed the program.
The Hand of Charity went deep into
the pocket.
The Christ Morn viii be observed
in all churches with opposite sermons.
F'ull-voiced choirs and crowds on the
streets will send out silver carols that
will float through the vaulted domes
of cathedrals and the rafters of little
country houses of worship and even
through the magic ether by way of
the radio.
Broadway, with its slittering lights,
actors and actresses and gay throngs,
has been giving Christmas benefit
performances. Several of the New
York newspapers sponsored most of
the shows. Debutantes and society
leaders have been conducting baZaars
and amateur theatricals. From these
sources alone officials estimate APP
proXimately $l,o00,000 would be
raised.
This amount will only be drop in
the cheer-spreading bucket. The city
department of welfare will have its
usual program of dinners and enter
tainment, while contributions from
hundreds of individuals and charita BILE
organizations all combine to give
New York one of its typically pre-
war Christmases.
Last year Wall street distributed
100000 in Christmas bonuses
among its employees. Stockholders re-
Ceived millions in the form of extra
and increased dividends and stock
What happened then is expected to be
repeated on a larger scale.
Chicago alone had total in Christ
mas savings funds of approximately
S25. O00. 900. Reports from the other
cities showed that the issuance OF
these deposits early was felt IN the
shopping districts.
Hundreds of cities and towns will
have municipal Christmas trees. Chi
cago will take the lead in carol sing
ing. when / 500 members of the Board
of Trade and others join in broadcast
ing through 50 stations.
Reindeer Secured.
In Kansas City the mayor will have
a Christmas tree for the kids, and one
of the newspapers has arranged FOR
Mr.. Kringle to use the old-fashloned
reindeer and sled when he passes
through. -,
Max Rheinhart's THE Miracle" will
begin a four weeks run in ST. Louis
on Christmas eve. In Milwaukee
chimes from ST. James Episcopal
Church will be played, and 6O-piece
band will augment the carol singers.
Detroit. where the automobiles are
made experienced a deluge of Christ
mas buying.
Down in Texas, where many chill
dren never have seen snow, Houston
will place it's Christmas tree In the
CITY hall square and provide a back
ground of artificial snow. Here, santa
was asked to discard his airsh1p and
use the reindeer and sled instead.
Denver's carol singers will gather
in the civic center's Greek amphi
theater. brilliantly lighted and fes
tooned with holly wreaths and spruce
boughs, to usher in the Christmas
tide, Later, they will march through
the streets.
Firemen's Parties.
Indianapolis has turned over its
municipal Christmas activities to the
fire department and in each of the
city'S 80 stations there will be a tree
Santa will spend some time there, for
he has agreed to slide down the pole
in each station and personally de
liver his gifts to the children.
Florida. the country's boom State
and the real estate salesmen's para
disc, is ready for d Christmas com
mensurate with the large amount OF
business being transacted.
Throughout Dixie cities, large and
small, the spirit is reported to have
had the effect of bringing to the
hearts of men the association of its
meaning with the origin of theil
creed.
Fairy Tale Plays.
In Berlin, II theaters. including the
Municipal Opera, are giving matinee
and evening performances of fairy
tales several times u week. More
than 1000, 900 Christmas trees were
cut in the Harz Mountains, despite
the luxury tax.
Sweden shares Christmas giving
with it's birds and animals Next &c
the Christmas tree a sheaf of oats for
the sparroWs symboliZes the Christ
mas spirit and in a tree or on top OF
a pole in front of almost every house
the grain is tied up for the birls tc
pick. On Christmas eve, all domestic
animals are given an extra ration OF
oats or a special tuft of hay
Another ceremony is the noon day
meal when servants and masters eat
together in the kitchen, dipping theil
bread in the same kettle where the
Christmas meat is being cooked.
France. Spain, Belgium and the
other countries will rival the gayety
of America in their celebrations.