Evening star., 1928-12-09
PRESIDENT ASKED
TOL|GHT YULE TREE
Chief Executive Expected to
Lead Nation in Christmas
Eve Ceremonies.

President Coolidge yesterday was
asked by a committee from the Com
munity Center Department to lead the
Nation in its Christmas eve ceremonies
by lighting the National Community
Christmas tree in Sherman Square at
8 o'clock on Christmas eve. and while
the President did not give a definite
answer the impression was gained he
would comply, thus conforming to his
custom.
If the President attends the cere-
mony he will speak few words in
Christmas greeting which viii be broad
cast over radio hook-up to the people
of the United States.
Mrs. Coolidge Expected.
Mrs. Coolidge has always accompanied
the President to these ceremonies, and
it has been the custom of the people of
Washington at this time to extend their
Christmas greetings to the President
and the First Lady
From small beginning several years
ago, the ceremony of lighting the living
Christmas tree in Sherman Square has
grown to be a universal CUSTOM in which
national, municipal ana community
leaders now take part. This year for
the first time, the president of the Board
of Commissioners, Proctor L. Dougnefty,
is serving as the official head of the
celebration.
Arrangements are now being made to
connect the many community tree cele-
brations in all the States with the ma
tional celebration here The national
committee, headed by Commissioner
Dougherty, comprises Senator Arthur
Capper. Representative F. NJ Zihlman,
Mrs. John F. Sippel, General Federation
of WomenS Clubs; DR.. Uel w. Lamkin,
National Education Association; George
D. Pratt National Forestry Association:
w. w. Freeman, Society for Electrical
Development; Charles F. Carusi, presi-
dent of the Board of Education, Dis
trict of Columbia; Frederic A. Delano
and E. c. Graham, chairman Com
munity Center Council, District of
Columbia.
Commissioner Dougherty, Mr.. Graham
and Miss Sibyl Baker of the Community
Center Department, who is chairman of
the local executive committee for the
Christmas tree celebration, called yes
terday at the White House and invited
President Coolidge to light the tree.
Executive Committee.
The executive committee includes
Lieut. Col U. S. Grant, 3rd, as vice
chairman: Maj Edwin B. HesSe, Mrs.
Susie Root Rhodes, DR.. George c. Hav-
enner, representing the Federation of
Citizens Associations; George W. Rich
ardSon, Federation of Civic Associations:
Col. E. L. Mattice, District of Columbia
Boy Scouts; Dorothy Greene. District
OF Columbia Girl Scouts; Mrs w. B.
Hardy, Community Center Department;
Mrs. Gabrielle Pelham, Community
Center Department, and Mai. Carey II.
Brown of the ONCE of Public Buildings
and Public Parks in the National Capt.
tai.
Georgetown win hold It's annual com
munity Christmas celebration on
Christmas eve in Montrose Park at
Thirty-flrst and r streets. at 7:3O
O'Clock. Five hundred school children
viii lead the singing of familiar carols
accompanied by a brass quartet from
the Army Band Special numbers will
be sung by the Western High School
Glee Club and Quartet.
Members Of the committee in charge
are Mr.. and Mrs. John Ihdler Albion
K. Paris, Miss Mary Radford. Roger
NJ. Stuart. Mrs. Lloyd P. Shippen, Mrs.
H. B. Torbert. Rev. r. Bland Tucker
and j. B. Wyckoff