Evening star., 1931-12-20
BY SALLIE V. Fl. PICKETT.

Washington has sold itself to Santa
Claus, and from the White House to
the loWliest, saddest home in the Capt.
tai the city is Christmas mad. While
social affairs for the young predomi-
nate, even the Presidents house show
ing a scene of old-time brilliancy, there
are yet the charities for less fortunate
that lend the season its sacred phase
and make it truly worthy tribute to
His birthday While the celebration
goes on at the White House, the debu-
tante contingent is preparing to turn
Christmas night into a gay party for
nlidshipmen from Annapolis, cadets
from West Point and some of the very
young men of the service.
Leading up to New Year night will
be a right brilliant ball at the Will
lard December %, known as the United
Service Ball, when the citizens who
furnish protection to the country
through the Army and Navy and who
form the floating population OF the
SdplLd1-IlGIG &c" SSuAo "AlS StASAA
gone on to some other post of duty
will be hosts to the greater number
of society folk of the Capital. While
the President and Mrs. Hoover will not
attend, they have taken box and it
probably will be filed the son of the
President and Mrs. Hoover, Mr.. Allan
Hoover, and the young group that form
the White House Christmas party oc-
cupying it.
Mrs. Hoover already has planned the
entire Christmas for the White House,
and many hostesses are emulating her
plan of simplicity, and saving at least
half of the price usually spent for
gift and devoting it to charity. She
herself has bought generously, but wise
", and one of the items enumerates
40 pairs of candlesticks for which she
paid $50. These delightful little cop
per pieces were fashioned by the vet
Grams undergoing occupational therapy
at Walter Reed, and as proof that
something good comes from every evil
if it be nothing more than example
the copper was contributed by the
Police Department from liquor raids
on stills.
Many of the other gifts which Mrs.
Hoover will bestoW upon her friends
came from Just such sources, thus thrice
coll
benevolent donor and especially the re-
Ceiver. In line with this idea the
Presidents household will do just what
they advise their friends to dO-giVe
inexpensive gifts and devote the rest of
the money to those VINO really need it.
Thus passes the day when limousines
roll up to the White House door to de
post Christmas gifts worth kings
ransom. Many a First LADY boasts
iawels and other rare gifts bestowed
during occupancy Of the White House,
and there was never an administration
more lavishly showered with gifts than
that of President Roosevelt and his
young family.
Christmas arrangements are now in
progress at the White House, and by
the time Mr.. and Mrs Herbert Hoover,
jr., arrive from California with Peggy
Ann and Peter, one may almost hear
sleighbells. These little folk will be
hosts to a number of children Wednes-
day night, and maybe Paulina Long
worth will be there. 1t will be a sort
of a donation party, as each little guest
has been asked to give rather than re-
ceive, and will come with packages to
be distributed to poor children. Christ
mas morning will find the gifts distrib-
+ xted where they VIII do the most good