Evening star., 1931-12-25
Lighting of Community Tree
by Hoover Christmas Eve
Features Observance.
SUN BATTLES CLOUDS
TO MAKE DAY CHEERFUL
Foreign Officials Celebrate in Fash.
ion Of Homelands-Unemployed
Remembered.

The Capital settled down to a quiet
Christmas in the cheerful atmosphere
Of home today as affairs of state and
business were laid aside momentarily
to give due consideration TO the an
nual visit of Santa Claus.
Contrary to the weather mans pre-
dictions, a bright sun blazed through a
cloud -speckled sky as the day dawned
on the city, and waged a see-saw bat
tie with the cloudbanks
Washington was in gay regalia as 10
joined with the rest of the Nation in
celebrating the Yuletide. Colorfully
decorated evergreens graced front lawns
and bright lamps lit homes in suburban
communities.
Lights Christmas Tree.
President Hoover last night tenn
porarily withdrew from the spotlight Of
the presidency to engage in secret prep
arations Of family grown-ups the night
before Christmas. AS he turned to oc-
cupy himself exclusively with household
Yule affairs, he spoke a Christmas salu-
tation to the whole country from the
base of the national community Christ
mas tree in Sherman square, Just south
east of the White House.
Turning a switch that set ablaZe
myriads of twinkling bulbs the Presi-
dent said:
This is the season and this is the
occasion when the whole Nation unites
in good cheer and good wishes
I'VE dedicate it particularly to our
children, and We give devotion to the
faith in which it was inspired.
1T gives me great pleasure to light
this tree which is symbolic of the cele-
bration tonight in every household in
our country.
Il ardently wish to every home Q
merry Christmas and a Happy New
Year"
The Chief Executive spoke with the
feeling he reserves for homely things,
out over the land on coast-to-coast
radio hook-up. He spoke extempo-
raneously.
Grandchildren Romp.
Promptly at S o'clock the presidential
party descended the steps of the White
House. with Peter and Peggy Ann, the
f1OONcT SIdIlQCIlllUEeIl, expressing IIlelE
childish glee in undisputable terms as
they romped beside the President. The
party included also Mrs. Hoover, Her
bert Hoover, jr., and his wife and Allan
Hoover.
The program at the national commu-
nifty Christmas tree, arranged under the
auspices of the Community Center De-
partment. began at 4:30 o'clock with a
concert by the United States Marine
Band and included carol singing and
sacred music.
The President was introduced by Vice
President Curtis, who acted as master
Of ceremonies. Cabinet members. Fed
eral and District officials and others
high in the social and official life of
Washington were in the stand as the
President formally inducted the Ma
tionS Christmas
The hour Of the event had been ar
ranged for the convenience of workers
leaving their afternoon duties, as well
as for the benefit of last-minute shop
pers, and large gathering was present
as dusk fell and rocketing pyrotechnics
announced the lighting of the tree to
all the city.
A patrol of Boy Scouts played guard
of honor for the group from the White
House, and Girl Scouts escorted them
to the living spruce tree that was the
center Of the festivities. The greeting
Continued on Page 2, Column 81