Evening star., 1927-04-18
EASTER OBSERVED
BY ALL WASHINGTON
Ideal Weather Prevails and
Churches Note Unusual At
tendance of Worshipers.

Nature We'd with man yesterday in
making Washingtons Easter of 1927
a memorable one from the standpoint
rot alone Of ideal weather and gorge.
Gus coloring, but of the deeper spirit
OF the day as manifested at the affairs
OF Christian devotion.
Nature supplied a perfect setting
for the annual church holiday. provid-
ing rare Spring day that drew out
of-doors great thrones Of residents and
visitors, en- route ct first to church
anl then TO Natures own communion
under : halmy canopy of blue
President Sets Example.
The presidential family set an eN-
ample for all the others to follow by
starting the day in spiritual vein az
its own church services, those OF the
First Congregational Church III 'he
Washington Auditorium. The at
traction of seeing their President ana
his wife at an Easter service was one
not to be forgoEe by a host of strang-
ers here for the brief season, and the
result was a congregation of record
size. not including the milling throng
which could not storm the doors OF
the packed auditorium.
It is estimated that more than 5000
cayly dressed men, women and chill
dren Joined with President and Mrs.
Coolidge in listening to a special Eas-
ter sermon by Rev DR.. Jason Noble
Pierce, whose topic was God Calls
to Life" and joined them in singing
the hymns Like the others of the con-
Gregation the President and First
Lady wore their Sunday best the
former being attired in formal morn
ing dress, with glistening topper
and the latter in a symphonic ensem-
BILE Of brown and rose. Mrs. Coolidge
was the cynosure for all eyes, espe-
cially the feminine one, and all took
note Of her modish dress embroidered
with touches of rose her neckpiece OF
red fox fur and her hat of soft, brown
straw.
Notable Sunrise" Services.
The presidential service, while the
high light of the days religious OBJ
servances, was no more impressive
and colorful than were the earlier
sunrise" ceremonies held simultane-
ously at Temple Heights and at Wal
ter Reed Hospital. Secretary Of the
Navy Wilbur presided at the former
rites, held under auspices of the Wash
ington Federation of Churches. and
Col. John r. Axton. chief of Army
chaplains, offieiated at the latter. An
inspiring feature of the services for
wounded veterans at the hospital was
the formation of q gigantic cross by
800 men and women connected with
the institution or its work
Other services which drew large
congregations were those in the morn
ing and afternoon at the National Ca
thedrai on Mount ST. Alban and in the
morning at the National Shrine of the
Immaculate Conception at Catholic
University Bishop James T. Freeman
and other Cathedral officers ofiiciated
at the various rites in the Episcopal
Cathedral and Archbishop Furnasoni
Biondi, apostolic delegate, pontificated
at solemn high mass at the university.
Large crowds of visitors strolled
through the grounds and buildings of
both cathedrals during the day.
Spring Costumes on Display. 4
The more serious aspect of the day
over, the citiZenry sailed forth in new
est Spring costume to make the most /
of the perfect weather afforded by the |
Of smiling skies and |
warm breezes. and seldom has the |
Capital been the scene of more JOY |
Gus Easter procession than that which |
wended in and out of parks and park |
ways during the afternoon.
The prominent city avenues We're
splotched with the riotous shades of
women's Easter finery on annual
parade before admiring and often
envious eyes. Officialdom and the
vast army of just plain citizens min
gled on the thoroughfares in enjoy
ment Of the festival, while thousands
of others surveyed the picture from
cruising automobiles, busses or
street ears.
Despite the crowds of motorists and
pedestrians in all the public parks
and swarming over the boulevards, |
there were no serious casualties to
mar the serenity of the days brill |
liant program.
The withdrawal of the throngs from
the great open spaces did not begin
in earnest until late in the evening |
and as the tide began 10 turn toward
home the happy, though tired, people
seemed to be murmuring:
What day
Throng at Temporary White House.
The thousands that greeted the
presidential party at the Auditorium
were duplicated at the temporary
w lllLt I1bAScs On ISdDO4AA NsAl NASs dild
there were enthusiastic cheers, which
the Exeuctiye and First Lady
acknowledged with smiles and bows.
The President and Mrs Coolidge
did not go for a motor ride following
the services. but went directly to Du-
pont Circle.
Mr.. and Mrs. Cyrus n. X. Curtis,
publisher of Philadelphia. whose yacht
is moored in the Potomac, We're guests
at dinner at the temporary White
House yesterday afternoon, after
which the President and Mrs Coolidge
went for an automobile ride Be.
fore the evening meal the President,
accompanied only by secret service
men, strolled about the streets in the
h LII