Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-12-25
America, Rejoicing, Regards
Kellogg Pact and London
ParIey Symbolic.
PRESIDENT CELEBRATES
DESPITE FIRE UPSET
Hoovers Give Christmas Dinner To-
night to Cabinet Members
and Wives. ~

washington Joined with the rest of
the world today in rejoicing over the
peace and good will of Christmastime
For America, in particular, the dawn
ing OF another Yuletide had a special
significance, as its people viewed with
gratitude the far-reaching results OF
American leadership in pointing to the
world new way for peace among ma
tions. The Kellogg treaty renouncing
war as an instrument of international
policy and the recent naval discussion
with Great Britain, out of which has
come move on the part of the great
powers TO reduce their battle fleets,
were regarded as a very embodiment of
the spirit Of today'S celebration.
With satisfaction in having had a
part In bringing these events about and
undismayed by the disastrous fire which
last night destroyed his executive Offices.
PRESIDENT Hoover set about observing
tne holiday In a typical American way.
his was home observance, with his
family and a few intimate friends
gathered about him.
The President and Mrs. Hoover had
one disappointment, however, for their
elder son, Herbert, jr., and his wife and
Two small children were unable to spend
the holidays at the White House and
observed it, instead, at their home in
Pasadena, Calf.
Despite the damage done by the fire
which added excitement to an other
wise serene Christmas eve, the White
Rouse proper underwent no change in
us christmas atmosphere and decora-
the Presidents apartments on the sec
ond fioor and beside it, it was arranged
That the presents and greetings of the
season should be exchanged.
members OF the cabinet and their
families viii be guests at the White
House dinner tonight. Two great wild
turkeys Will grace the well-ladened
table. These were presented to the
PRESIDENT by his secretary, Lawrence
Eicny, who shot them while hunting in
Virginia over the week end.
HoOvers Entertain Children.
With their younger son, Allan. Presi-
dent and Mrs. Hoover EXCHANGED their
own individual Christmas presents this
morning about as any other typical
american family would have done.
Tney did not attend religious services
today. Their own church, the Friends
Meeting House, at Thirteenth and
Irving streets, did not have services and
therefore the President and Mrs. Hoo
yer mad an uninterrupted opportunity
70 enjoy themselves before the blazing
logs. Of their White House home.
But, like other Washington families.
the occupants of the White House heard
the romping of children about its cor
rldorS today. The family of Secretary
OF Labor Davis and the children also
OF George Akerson and Walter Newton
OF the Presidents Secretariat and of
Lieut.. Comdr. Joel T. Boone and several
other intimate friends romped about
the rooms In the enjoyment Of Christi
mas party as the guests Of Mr.. and
Mrs. Hoover
So much for the scenes in the White
House, which were duplicated in
thousands Of homes not only in Wash.
Ington but throughout the length and
breadth of the land.
WaShington's official observance
started early yesterday evening when
PRESIDENT Hoover touched the electric
button that lighted the 1929 National
community Christmas tree, around
which nearly 1000 men, women and
children joined in the singing of carols
This was the sixth time that a Presi-
dent OF the United States had partici-
pated with his official family in the
ceremonies and speaking through the
mlcrophone, Mr.. Hoover addressed
Christmas greetings to a great unseen
audience.
Other communities throughout the
city had their own special trees and
ceremonies, particularly at Foxhall
Hnage, Friendship, Hillcrest, Mount
Pleasant and Takoma Park, where
thousands joined in the holiday spirit
ana Santa Claus officiated for the
small neighborhood children.
Other Side Is Described.
Another side of the Christmas pic
ture presented itself today and last
night in the long lines of destitute men
and women who found comfort and
cneer inside the warm halls of the CITY
missions. Then, too, at the public in
stitutlons where freedom is restrained
the spirit OF Christmas penetrated
through prison walls to make different
what otherwise would have been lust
anotner day" for hundreds.
AT the Central Union Mission, Daddy"
john S. Bennett presided in the dining
nan where willing workers were pre-
pared to dispense substantial dinners to
all down and cutters" who Joined in a
long and continuous line. For the
little boys and girls in the Children's
emergency Home, Mrs. Bennett had
prepared a special Christmas feast with
all the trimmings. Hundreds of baskets.
neaped with food and necessities, were
distributed last night and today to poor
families throughout the city.
Inc same scenes were being dupli-
Gated In the bread lines of the Saliva
ton Army and the Gospel Mission. Mrs.
Hoover had taken part in the Christmas
party OF the former early Yesterday
afternoon and last night nearly 1000
cnIdren were made glad at the annual
christmas party staged by the Saliva
ton Army officials.
Many prisoner In the District of
Columbia wished today he had been
lucky enough last week to have been
transferred to the District Reformatory
at Lorton, Va. There was a special
reason. Roast turkey, sage dressing
ana cranberry sauce were the main
dishes OF particularly good Christmas
dinner at the Virginia resort. To bal
ance the fare there were apples, pie.
oranges, nuts and candy.
Prisoners Have Christmas Meal.
Prisoners In the District workhouse
at Occoquan, Va, and the District jail
Jared far better than usually, but not
quite so well as at Lorton. Roast pork
was their substitute for turkey. b,It
nince pie provided welcome finishing
touch to the Christmas dinner.
Capt. M. M. Barnard, In charge of
the District penal institutions, prepared
the menus, assisted by Capt. A. n.
TaWse, superintendent of the reforrna-
Lory. and Col. William L. Peak, super
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