Evening star., 1932-12-26
CAPITAL PREPARES
TO END TWO-DAY,
Yy[E CELEBRATION
Government Offices, Banks
and Business Houses
Closed for Day.
THOUSANDS OF NEEDY
HAVE MERRY CHRISTMAS
Stranded Boys, Inmates of Prisons
and Children Receive
Gifts.

mder threatening skies and famed
b. an unreasonable southwest breeze,
tn Gapital continued its Yuletide cele-
br.. ION today
With President Hoover soiourning
alol. ( the Georgia coast, official Wash
lngtCn had the holly-bordered holiday
sign hanging on its doorknob.
All Government departments, banks
and business houses were closed
throughout the day; Downtown streets
we're virtually deserted, as citizens con-
tinued to enjoy their festival period
at the family hearth.
Tomorrow the national and local hol-
iday will end abruptly, and business
will displace tinsel
Christmas was celebrated here quietly,
with special services in the churches,
family gatherings in the homes and
the annual spread of good cheer in
hospitals, orphanages, prisons, missions
and other institutions.
Thousands Are Fed.
Although the weather made the day
like Midsummer, lev among the needy
were forgotten in the generous outpour-
ing of help. With food baskets deliy-
were served to 1900 men and boys at
the mission of the Volunteers of Amer
lea; $50 at the Central Union Mission
and 1000 at the Salvation Army and
Gospel Mission.
Thirty-Seven stranded boys were given
Christmas turkey and cheer at the In
employed Boys Shelter at 225 Penn
sylvania avenue, while more than 1000
stockings packed with candies and toys
were distributed through hospitals by
volunteer workers under the auspices
of the Federation of Churches.
Special religious services were held at
all prisons and the day was marked by
Christmas trees, music and good din
nerS.
Veterans Entertain.
Boys and girls numbering three-score
were gathered up in the toy-barren
homes early yesterday by Army trucks
and taken to Walter Reed Hospital for
a visit with Santa Claus and a pro-
gram of rollicking happiness
This part in the city's celebration was
provided by patients at the big Gov
ernment hospital who contributed
funds. Then, using the skill they have
acquired during their disqualification,
they knitted scores of warm wool
sweaters. scarfs. gloves and stockings.
Under uE the dir direction OF Miss Mar
at Walter Reed. and Capt. jeremiah
Sullivan of the fourth police precinct,
the needy children were given a long
to-be-remembered program, including a
turkey dinner
Fifty poor children from the south
east section were guests today at a
Christmas party given by the officers
and crew of the submarine tender
Bushnell. docked at the Navy Yard
for the holidays. The children. rang
ing from to - years of age. were Sc
lected by the Salvation Army, 749
Eighth street southeast.
Receive Useful Gifts.
Christmas dinner was served for the
children, starting shortly before noon.
Each child received not only toys, but
some useful present. Many boys got
Upper Jackets while the girls were give
coats. Sweaters and other clothing were
distributed through the bounty of the
sailors. Santa Claus was impersonated
by Fireman First Glass F. Cetrino
Through weeks of careful planning
the crew was able to save enough out of
its regular ration allowance to make
the Christmas dinner possible for the
poor children The crew had its Yule-
tide dinner yesterday The commissary
department of the Bushnell prepared
the dinners.
Christmas tree celebrations were held
at the Washington Home for Foundlings,
st. Joseph's Home, St. VincentS Home
and School, st. AIMS Infant Asylum.
st. Roses Technical School. Christ
Child Society's Convalescent Home in
Rockville and other institutions.
$500 Gifts Distributed.
The Christ Child Society celebrated
its first Christmas in its new home on
Massachusetts, avenue northeast by dis
tributing approximately $500 gifts to
deserving children Donations were
made by the 400 members of the or
ganization. Programs will be carried
on throughout the week. and it is ex-
pected that more than 700 children
will receive gifts.
At the Y. M. c. A. headquarters a
breakfast was served yesterday to 70
men and open house continued through
out the day. At the branches of the
Y w. c. A. Yule programs were car
ried out, the main event being Christ
mas tea at main headquarters, Seven
teenth and K streets.
Workers of the Federation of Churches
visited children at Children's, Ener-
gency and Gallinger Hospitals. Adult
patients also were not overlooked by
workers at these and other hospitals.