Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-12-25

Ored lights, opening the YuIetide seasO
Mrs. Hoover, the President and Col. g
mas tree in Sherman PARK, back OF the
Treasury, and then broadcast by radio
Christmas greeting throughout the
country. The children's Christmas eve
party was an intensely interesting and
novel affair. Besides the White House
grandchildren there we're present the
small children of the presidential secre-
taries and aides.
These included the three small sons
OF George Akerson, the two sons of
Walter H. Newton, the son Of French
Strother, the 10-year- daughter Of
Capt Joel T. Boone, the Presidents
personal physician and the three little
children of Secretary of War Hurley.
Besides the President and Mrs Hoover
and their son, Allan, and other house
guests, the parents of these youngsters
we're at the party.
Girl Scouts Sing Carols.
The affair was started with the sing
ing of Christmas carols by 40 Girl
Scouts in uniform, each carrying a
lighted old-fashioned lantern. When
the meal was concluded, the real nov
city Of the party developed. This was
WIlaI Was ID bkC Va
the Tin Soldiers" Each person in the
party. the grown-ups as well as the
children, was given lighted candle and
formed in line, with the President at
the head. Then followed the parade
through all the rooms on the first and
second floors Of the White House, with
the lights in the rooms being exttn-
guished as the paraderS progressed.
These paraders, according to the ex-
PLANTATION, were supposed to have been
searching for traces Of Santa Claus.
The parade came to conclusion in
the historic east room, where the line
disbanded and each person was pre-
sented with q small present from the
large Christmas tree in the south end
Of the room. Following this, the chill
dren became interested in the toys and
presents they had received, and the
older members of the party danced.
The President and Mrs. Hoover did
not dance, but took seats near the tree
where they could enjoy the play of the
children.
President Sends Greetings.
Presidential greetings Of the Yule-
tide season went out to Washington
and all the Nation last night when the
Chief Executive, at q simple but i'm
pressive ceremony in Sherman Square
south of the Treasury, pressed the but
ton that sent an electrical current
through scores of colored light bulbs
on the National Community Christ
mas tree, and in q few words, ex-
pressed his Christmas wishes to his
countrymen.
A crowd Of many hundred persons
braved the bitter cold air to witness
the lighting Of the tree and to hear
DvnwfHanf TTaoUAYgu nPanfiflnq Az tbs
President touched the button that
transformed the giant spruce into q
living mass of colorful illumination, a
brilliant signal Hare shot Skyward from
the Monument Grounds to cast its light
over the entire scene. Throughout the
District Of Columbia buglers Of the Boy
Scout Troops sounded the call to tell
the people that the National Com
munity Christmas tree was lighted.
Immediately following the lighting
the United States Marine Band accom-
panied community singing OF Christmas
carols at the conclusion of which PreSi-
dent Hoover said:
Wishes All Merry Christmas.
',FeIlow citizens Of washington and
my countrymen throughout the land:
It gives me great deal Of pleasure to
| take part in this great community effort
i
! still to wish you all very merry Christ
mas and happy New Year"
The President was accompanied from
| the White House by Mrs. Hoover, Allan
| Hoover, Comdr. Russell Train, nava
aide; Col. Campbell Hodges, military
aide, and q group of Government
| dignitaries. On the speakers Stano
close to the President were Chief JuSt1c:
| Charles Evans Hughes, Associate Justice
!
Mitchell, Secretary of the interior
| Wilbur, Secretary Of War Hurley anc
Senator Arthur Capper of Kansas.
The celebration at Sherman Square
| commenced at 5 80 pm. with concer
| by the United States Marine Banc
| under the direction of Capt. Taylor
| Brans0n. A few minutes before 8 O'CLOCK
| the presidential party was escorted
across East Executive avenue to TIT
elevated stand, where microphones o
| two broadcasting companies waited II
F, carry the Presidents annual christina
message to millions Of homes through
/ out the Nation.
| Grant Presents President.
Lieut.. Col. u. s. Grant, Sd, directo
| of the Office of Public Buildings ant
Public Parks and chairman of the com
nittees on the national communit!
| Christmas tree, made the address O
| welcome, expressing the gratitude o
the people at the Presidents partict.
patton in the ceremonies and outlinini
the purpose Of the community effort.
THE prime purpose Of this annua
ceremony Is, of course, to provide TO
the people of the National Capital ant
Of the Nation Christmas tree that
for all who would come to view ant
regard rs their own" Col. Grant said
And 1t has an accompanying purpoS
Of being an EFFORT to discourage as mucl
as possible the wholesale destruction o
trees in the woods throughout the coun
4 try that is dcne every year at Christina
time"
Dol. Grant, at the conclusion of hi
remarks, presented the President an
Mrs. Hoover, at which juncture tn
President stepped forward to press tn
electric button which lit the tree. I'm
mediately preceding the presidents
greetings, the Christmas wishes Of tn
people Of washington to Mr.. and Mr.
Hoover were expressed by Betty Jan
Oswald OF Troop %, DISTRICT of Coluni
J biA Girl Scouts, and Eagle Scout Henr
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