The Washington times., 1927-12-23
WILL
OPEN DISPLAY

Washington's Christmas will be
ushered in under the personal super.
vision of the Coolidges. Tomorrow
night the President will turn the
switch that lights the jewel.bedecked
Community Christmas Tree in Sher-
man Square. back of the Treasury,
at p. M, while early in the after
noon Mrs. Coolidge will preside at
the distribution of 900 baskets of
food from headquarters of the Sal
vation Army, sos E st. n. w.
Elaborate preparations have gone
forward for the community cere-
monies. The Marine Band begins
an open-air concert at Sherman
Square at $50 o'clock, which will
end with the arrival of the Presi-
dent, who will set the tree ablaze
800 lights hang from it's giant
branches-after which choristers will
chant seasonal carols.
1t is estimated that 1 900 children
will gather around the Salvation
Army Temple tree when Mrs.
Coolidge directs the giving to Dis
trict poor of the 900 baskets of food.
containing a Christmas dinner for
five.
Events In Georgetown
Out in Georgetown, where the
colonial aspect of the ancient city
adds to the Christmas atmosphere,
the Community Tree will be lighted
tonight at 7:3O o'clock at Montrose
Park, Thirty-first and r SITS. N. w.
The Army Band will open the fete.
and chorus Of 400 children, under
William r. Pierson, will sing Yuie.
tide music. Richard v. OuIahan,
newspaper correspondent. will speak.
Medieval tradition marked the Y.
w. c. A. festival last night at as
sociation headquarters. Seventeenth
and K SITS. n. W., when the Old
English custom of changing the
green's and the setting of the Yule
log were carried out with proper
ceremonies, while the st. Anthony's
Parochial School, Twelfth and
Monroe SITS. N. W., dramatized its
Christmas with the presentation sof
In Bethlehem Long Ago" a aone-act
play, yesterday afternoon.
District schools closed yesterday
for the annual holiday vacation, not
to reopen until January 3. Students
received Superintendent Frank w.
Ballou's Christmas message, follow
ing which exercises and celebra-
tions were held at Wilson Normal.
jefferson, Central and Thompson
schools. At the Franklin admins
tration building, students of Colum-
bia Junior High serenaded DR.. Bal
lou, as is their annual custom.
Warns Against Fires.
George S. Watson, chief engineer
of the District Fire Department,
yesterday issued his annual warn
ing against holiday fires resulting
from the improper placement of
candles and decorations on trees,
adding as a slogan:
"A house of merriment is better
than a. house of mourning"
Chief Watson's directions include
warnings against the use of paper,
cotton or inflammable decorations.
and urge that trees be securely
set, far away from CRATES or other
places of open flames, to insure
against tipping. Candles are not
countenanced for illumination. and
Mr.. Watson adds further warning
against the accumulation of waste
paper, discarded from gift packages.
A thousand types of Christmas
gifts are on display in downtown
shops and stores, but the perennial
$3.50. SIS. $40, and $40 gold pieces
are in great demand. The cash
rooms of the Treasury report daily
waiting lines, with the rush so great
that two pieces to customer
was ordered in passing out the
quarter-eagles. $3.50 gold pieces.
Within two weeks after Christmas.
Treasury officials say, virtually all
the gold eagles will be back in
United States vaults, and $400 900
in gifts will cease to circulate.
Relief Work On
Charitable organizations continue
their relief work. The salvation
Army reports q shortage of $1,000
in its Christmas aid and winter
poor fund, while the Gospel Mission,
214 John Marshall Pl.. N. W.,
sounds an appeal for more toys,
books. and games to fill empty
stockings Of needy d. C. children
on the morning Of December "a.
The Travellers Aid Society. under
direction of John b. Larner, Mrs.
James 3. Noolncugh ars Mrs. John
A. kratz. will stage a carol service
en- Christmas Eve ~ tlnion Station.