Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-12-25
PRESIDENT RADIOS
YULET|DE MESSAGE
Greeting Is Surprise Event
of Community Tree
Ceremonies.

Chief Executive, acting unexpectedly,
radioed a message to a vast unseen
audience, and particularly to children
of Washington assembled about the
1929 National Community Christmas
tree which ne had lighted few minutes
before.
President Hoover's Yuletide message
was a complete surprise, as he was not
scheduled to speak at the exercises,
which drew nearly 1000 men, women
and children carolers to brave an icy
wind and snow-covered ground in par
ticipating in the official community
celebration. AS the program ended and
the United States Marine Band struck
up a march :or the Presidents exit Mr..
Hoover approached the microphone to
speak.
And now, my dear children" the
President bsgan. His voice was
drowned out by the crashing music,
Capt. Taylor Branson, the leader, being
unaware that the President was at
tempting to speak. When the band
was stopped at a signal from Herluf
ProvenSen, National BroadcaSting Co.
announcer, the President smiled broadly
and resumed.
"And now, my dear children, may
have the privilege of wishing to you
and the great unseen audience both
merry Christmas and a most happy
New Year." the President said.
Mrs. Hoover Given Flowers.
As Mr.. Hoover gave greeting to the
children of the country, so the children
of Washington extended their happiest
Christmas greetings to the President
and his wife. Mrs. Hoover was pre-
scented with basket of flowers by Alice
Leake, Girl Scout, who said, Chill
dren from all four corners of the
United States have sent their best
wishes to you, especially through the
Girl Scouts" The girl was shy, but
Mrs. Hoover relieved her embarrass-
ment by the gracious smile and word
of thanks with which she received the
message and token of affection. Joseph
Wheeler, for the Boy Scouts, extended
greetings to the President
It was cold underfoot, but the sew
eral hundreds of boys and girls joined
Justify in the singing OF Christmas
carols Acting as master of ceremonies,
Secretary of the Interior Ray Lyman
Wilbur welcomed the President and in
PRODUCED him as "a friend to children
all over the world"
The presidential party came prompt
ly at 5:55 O'Clock, walking the short
distance through the rear of the White
House grounds to Sherman Square,
where the community tree is located.
Washington's living Christmas tree,
Secretary Wilbur said in a brief adj
dress, represents Christmas spirit be-
fore the common fireSideS Of Amer
ica." Referring to the happy custom
of symbolizing Christmas in this man.
ner, Secretary Wilbur said in conclu-
sion: I'VE will leave in the hands
of some of the children actually here
tonight the duty of continuing in the
future this beautiful custom"
In addition to President and Mrs.
Hoover, among those attending the
ceremonies were Secretary OF State
Stirnson, Secretary of the Navy Adams,
Secretary of War Hurley and Secre-
tary of Agriculture Hyde. Commits
sioner Proctor L. Dougherty and Com
missioner Sidney F. Taliaferro repre-
sented the District government and
Senator Arthur Capper, chairman OF
the Senate District committee, was
among those who welcomed the preSi-
dental party.
Crwod Gathers Early.
Long before the first notes Of the
United States Marine Band sounded at
a signal from the baton of Capt. Taylor
Branson for the opening of the pro-
gram, hundreds of persons were gath.
cred in the open spaces around Sher-
man Square and the Ellipse.
Just before the conclusion of the con-
cert the President and members Of his
party appeared on the scene. Mr.. and
Mrs. Hoover had bright smiles and mods
for all the little children carolerS who
were taking part in the program and
appeared radiantly happy at being par
Elephants in the Capitals holiday OBJ
servance.
The arrival of the presidential party
was the signal for the second leader o.
the Marine Band to play THE Can.
: tique de Noel" and the clear notes o.
- H. b,
fringeS of the vast crowd. As they dice
away the chorus of boys and girls from
the junior high schools of the cit.
joined in the familiar words of &C
Come, All Ye Faithful led by DR..
N. G. Barnes and accompanied by thu
Marine Band. As the fresh young
voices were raised in unison the GROVE
joined in the swelling chorus.
There was brief pause while Secre.
tary Wilbur expressed the Christina:
greetings on behalf of the national com
nittee in charge of the ceremonies anC
then introduced the President Of thu
United States. Mr.. Hoover touched the
button and instantly the tall, stately
spruce symbolizing the living Christina:
trees of the Nation glittered with hun
dreds Of colored lights.
BugIe Blasts Notify Public.
As the lights flashed flare illuminet
the sky which attracted the attention
of alert Boy Scout buglers stationed II
various parts of the city. Blasts from
these bugles and the light of the far
gave notice to other thousands In Wash
ington that the 1929 community tire
had been lighted for the sixth seasol
by the Chief Executive Of the Natior
Through the network Of radio station
the tidings were broadcast from coas
to coast.
1t was sos o'clock that Mr.. Hccve
lighted the tree, and two minutes afte
the first hush that prevailed the care
notes of "Hark, the Herald Angels Sing
burst upon the air. The remainin
time of the brief program was give
over to those songs that never seem +
grow old. As the last of the severs
carols was concluded, Alice Leake c
Girl Scout Troop SO and Joseph Wheel
er, Boy Scout of Troop IS, advance
and presented to President and Mr.
Hoover the Christmas greetings Of til
people of Washington.
The Marine Band then played 9TH
Star Spangled Banner" with the thou
sands of voices joining in the refrai
of the national anthem. President an
Mrs. Hoover waved their hands to IT,
crowd as they made their departure
the midst of cries of merry Christmas
The exercises were over and the thou
sands began to beat retreat from u
grounds. Some went to other commit
nifty celebrations. Others, cold an
damp but enthusiastic, went to hon
and fireside, while pursuit of pleasuI
drew hundreds to the busy streets
the theater district.
Girl Reserves Sing Carols.
Forty groups of Girl Reserves loade
themselves in waiting buses and wei
from institution to institution SinpiY