Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-12-24
CAROLS SUNG HERE
BROADCAST TOU. S.
President and Government
Join in City's Christmas
GIadneSS.

The glad spirit which comes each
year on the eve of Christmas will be
heralded throughout the country by
means of coast-to-coast network of
radio stations this evening as thousands
of carol singers in the National Capital
assemble around the 1929 national COM
munity Christmas tree south Of the
Treasury Building, in Sherman Square,
for Washington's off1cial observance.
AS President Hoover touches the but
ton at 6:08 o'clock, a flare will illu-
inmate the sky and Boy Scout buglers
stationed In various parts of the city
will sound blasts to announce to the
people that the living Christmas tree is
lighted.
With prospects that Washington, in
deed, will enjoy white and icy Christ
mas, the populace went about its usual
holiday way today, many communities
and organizations arranging for special
carol services during the afternoon and
evening. The vast machinery of the
Government was at rest and Washing
ton, oficially and unoficially, entered
heartily into the observance of Christ
mas.
With son, Allan, home for the holi-
days, President Hoover Cancelled prac-
tically all engagements, including the
regular cabinet meeting and press con-
ference, in order that he night be free
to spend as much of the day as possible
with Mrs. Hoover and their son.
Government Departments Closed.
At his order the Federal and Dis
trict government departments were
closed today to give the thousands of
employees unrestricted freedom to COM
plete their shopping and otherwise
chants were prepared for the seasons
largest throngs Of shoppers this after
noon and the Police Department, re-
membering traffic jam that tied up
the downtown section for more than
an hour last Christmas eve, assumed
the almost impossible task of keeping
hundreds Of automobiles moving in the
congested shopping district.
Mrs Hoover at o'clock this after
noon performed another act Of gra-
c1ouSneSS and kindlineSS In attending
the ceremonies at the Salvation Arny's
Temple Corps, 606 e street, where she
passed out the first Of several hundred
baskets of food to poor families of the
city. Tonight the Salvation Army will
have its own lighted Christmas tree for
upward Of 1000 underprivileged chill
dren Of the city.
The White House is aglow with the
Christmas spirit, for Mrs. Hoover has
superintended the placing Of wreaths
at the windows and holly greens in all
the rooms. There were TWO big Christ
mas trees, one in the east room and
another In the Presidents apartment
upstairs. Little trees were provided for
all the guest rooms. Tomorrow after
noon the Hoovers Will entertain for
the children Of several of their very
close friends who will De their guests
during the day.
Ceremonies Start at $50.
The ceremonies around the national
community Christmas tree, symbolizing
all the living Christmas trees of the
Nation, will commence at $50 O'Clock
with a concert by the United States
Marine Band, under the direction of
Capt. Taylor Branson, including a
Christmas cantata by the cornetist,
Arthur S. Witcomb. At 5:55 o'clock
President and Mrs. Hoover, accompan-
led by White House aides, will arrive
to take part In the ceremonies.
Secretary of the Interior Ray Lyman
Wilbur is master of ceremonies and
national chairman for the 1929 tree
and will introduce the President
other members of the cabinet who viii
attend the ceremonies are Secretary
Of State Stimson, Secretary Of War
Hurley, Secretary Of the Navy Adams
and Secretary Of Agriculture Hyde.
Members Of the board of District Com
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