Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-12-25
SANTA CLAUSPAYS
WHITE. HOUSE VISIT
Hoover Grandchildren Wide.
Eyed as He Comes Out
of Chimney.
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Continued From First Page.)
in the room, saying he hoped to see
them again next year, and then disap-
peared in the darkness of the fireplace
whence he came.
Peggy Ann and Herbert neglected
their toys and virtually everything else
for the next half hour in eagerneSS to
learn If their grand old bewhiSkered
friend had really gone for good. They
seemed to want to make sure Of this
before they turned their attention to
toys and play. Many times they went
to the chimney and looked up into its
dark corners, hoping to catch another
glimpse of him, and, too. evidently won
dering how so big and round q man
could possibly squeeze himself through
that space.
Frequently afterward, they repeated
to their mother and grandparents what
Santa had said to them and they to
him. Their memories were good.
Santa's Visit Surprise.
This personal appearance Of Santa
Claus In the White House, right while
the President and his family were at
the breakfast table, was q sudden and
unexpected feature of the Christmas
day observance at the Presidential
home.
1t has been learned from a high au-
thcrity, that Mrs. Hoover who has done
most of the planning for the White
House Christmas, and Lawrence Richey,
one of the Presidents secretaries, who
has been her principal lieutenant in
planning and executing the Christmas
celebration, had considerable to do with
this happy and memorable visit. It Is
understood also that not all of the
grown-ups at the table knew in advance
Of Santa's coming. Their surprise,
while not as great as that of the grand
children, seemed to provide them Just
as much enjoyment.
The family had just finished break
fast, which meal was eaten amid the
excited voices of Peggy Ann and Her
bert talking about the fun at last
nights Christmas eve party and the joy
that was theirs this morning upon dis
covering the traces of Santa'S visit dur
ing the night. They named each
article found in their stockings and
were telling In turns about some of the
pre- jents they had found in the nursery
and about the toys they received at
last nights party, when all Of sudden
the sound of jingling bells was heard.
The talking ceased when Mrs. Hoover
heard was not bells. Probably it's
Santa Claus on his way back to the
North Pole" she offered by way Of ex-
PLANTATION.
BELLS Sounded Closer.
But this could not be- The bells
sounded closer and still closer. Then
all eyes were turned toward the fire.
place. There was suspense and excite
ment for a second or two. Mysterious
noises as well as jingling of bells were
heard and then appeared old Santa.
The silence in the room was broken
first by the scream of delight of one
Of the children and then by the merry
himself.
After Peggy Ann and Herbert had
finally come to the conclusion that
Santa Claus had gone for good and
that they were to see no more of him
until next year, they headed for their
great quantity of toys and presents and
for the remainder Of the day they were
in high glee.
The White House belonged to the
children. They had the run Of every
thing, with their wagons, scooterS.
velocipedes, hoops, trains and other
moving and noise-making toys. One
sion on little Herbert was a large hobby
horse Another one which held his at
tention considerably was an electric
train.
President Takes Back Seat.
The President and Mrs. Hoover and
the others of the household took back
seat and for the greater part of the
forenoon stood or sat looking at the
fun.
Mr.. Hoover did not go to his desk in
the executive of1lce, although he gen.
orally does so whether 1t Is q holiday OF
not. but toward noon he went to his
study on the second floor, where he
hurriedly glanced through the news
papers and signed some papers requir-
ing his attention.
At $50 o'clock the President and
Mrs. Hoover were serenaded by the
United States Army Band, which stood
in front of the north portico as II
played. The President and Mrs. Hoover
stood in the doorway and at the con-
clusion thanked the Army musicians
and wished them all merry Christmas
and happy New Year.
The White House Christmas dinner
Is scheduled for 7:30 o'clock tonight and
will be featured with turkey and al
that goes with 1t. The President and
Mrs. Hoover will have as guests on this
occasion members Of the cabinet and
their families.
Many Children Present.
The Christmas celebration at the
White House was actually started with
the children's Christmas eve party last
night, although the President officially
started the celebration at 6 O'Clock
when he pressed the button turning or
| the lights of the community Christ
COME HASTC