Evening star., 1928-12-25
CHURCHES FILLED
TO CAPACITY FOR
YULE CEREMONIES
Lighting of National Tree by
Coolidge Is High Point
of Observance.
POOR AND UNFORTUNATE
RESIDENTS REMEMBERED
6ounties Are Distributed-Mid-
night Masses Attract Over
flow Crowds.

Washington today is observing quiet
and plentiful Christmas.
Music of midnight bells. streets and
rooftops bathed in shimmering moon
light, thousands of living frs and
spruces abloom with blossoms of light
In the open air, outdoor community
carol singing, church services and fami-
iy groups in the streets on their way
to and from the midnight masses last
night gave the city the atmosphere OF
a storybook Yuletide.
The high tide of Christmas activity
was reached last night with the public
gatherings, the lighting of the National
Christmas tree in Sherman Square by
President Coolidge, the distribution of
gifts by various public welfare organiza-
tions. and the decoration of trees In
the homes in preparation for the joy
Gus awakening of the children this
morning. The observance today is large
1y in the homes and the churches with
family gatherings around loaded din
ner tables, and eager examinations of
new toys Few in Washington are not
participating, in some way or other
in the Yuletide plenty
Coolidge Lights Tree.
The principal event last night was
the lighting of the national Christmas
tree by President Coolidge at o'clock.
This also served as the community tree
for downtown Washington. There
were other community tree gatherings
in Wesley Heights, Bethesda, Wood
ridge, FoXhall Village and Georgetown,
in addition to the numerous church
trees.
In keeping with the ancient Christ
mas custom the midnight masses were
attended to the capacity of the churches,
particularly the picturesque ceremony
at the Franciscan Monastery and the
even more sublime observance at the
Dominican House of Studies In Brook
land. The downtown churches were
crowded. Some of the Episcopal
churches held the picturesque OLD Serv-
ice of lights and there were midnight
services in some of the other Protestant
churches.
This is proving plentiful Christmas
for the poor and unfortunate, with busy
programs being carried out by such
welfare organizations as the Salvation
ARMY and the Central Union Mission.
Strangely enough, however, the largest
of all charitable undertakings In this
season of human brotherhood is faring
badly. The IA opportunities fund OF
the Associated Charities. which seeks to
urovide the bare necessities of life for
IA unfortunate families for q year. Is
barely half raised and approximately
$1,000 still is needed. The appeal VIII
be continued throughout the holiday
season.
Baskets Distributed.
Special Christmas dinners are being
heryed today in the jails and asylums OF
the city. Police of the fifth precinct
are holding a Christmas party for the
children of the southwest section. The
salvation Army and the Gospel Mission
are distributing Christmas dinner bas-
Eets at hundreds of poor homes and are
serving plentiful dinners to the home
tess. Yesterday both these organiza-
tions distributed gifts to children, both
being aided in the distribution by Mrs
Coolidge.
Today former service men in the four
Government hospitals here-Walter
Reed Naval, Mount Alto and st. Eliza
betf1's-were remembered by the Dis
trict of Columbia Department OF Dis
abled American Veterans. Clothing ana
food were distributed from the D. A. v.
headquarters in the Earle Building.