Evening star., 1932-01-01
Noisy Welcome Is Sounded
in Crowded TheaterS
and Night Clubs.
ADDED THOUSANDS FILL
MANY CITY CHURCHES
Few Arrested in Orderly Celebra-
tion-Downpour to Continue All
Day, Weather Officials Say.

Hopeful greetings mingled in the Ma
tional Capital today as Washingtonians
welcomed the new year, still dripping
wet from its baptism, in the good, old
fashioned way.
Undismayed by the rain that fell late
last night, thousands participated JOY
ously in the hilarious midnight birth
Of the infant 1882.
Except for the passing Of the silk
"toppers" and the formal Connecticut
avenue parades of years gone by, there
Is little to distinguish the 1882 form OF
celebration from those in former years.
Crowds Easily Handled.
Crowds on F street and upper Four
teenth street laughed at the rain that
later turned into a fine Sleet and as
the old year gave its dying gasps, the
air was punctured by the sounds OF
every known kind of noise maker
Theaters, hotels and night clubs were
crowded after 10 o'clock as guests be-
gan arriving for receptions and New
Year parties that continued until the
early hours Of the morning. Police
patrolled the downtown sections, but
had little difficulty in handling the
jostling, good-natured crowds, although
the usual lineup appeared in Police
Court this morning to reflect on the eX-
cesseS Of folly. 1t was happy and, for
the most part an orderly celebration.
While one-half of Washington milled
about the streets or sought refuge In
places of entertainment, the other half
that determined upon waiting up for
the New Year, assembled in places OF
worship. Scarcely church in the city
was without its night watch service last
night, either in form Of prayer meetings
or midnight masses. At many Of the
churches the young people gathered
early in the evening and informal
parties and dramatics occupied them
until the hour of the watch service.
Rain TO End Tonight.
From the Weather Bureau today came
no hope of a let-up in the rain during
the afternoon but indications pointed
to a clear night with tomorrow generally
fair. Thousands of Government en-
ploves as well as Washingtonians grn-
orally were determined to make the
mcst of the legal holiday in round OF
friendly calls and New Year programs
scheduled in many parts Of the city.
Tomorrow they return to work.
The New Year in other sections OF
the country got the welcome that Santa
Claus missed. In the Western United
States a thick blanket of snow lay on
several States and others were in
vaded by severe cold. In Washington,
the lowest temperature was Sc degrees
at 1890 am and it was expected that
tonight would be several degrees muder
The passing of the old year was
observed quietly at the White House
last night. President Hoover. facing
the ordeal Of shaking hands with 5000
or more persons at the White House
this morning, relaxed as much as
possible.
Many Gatherings Scheduled.
Numerous meetings, receptions and in
formal gatherings are scheduled for
this afternoon and tonight. Washing
ton has always observed New Year
day in the open house" manner Of
hospitality. Oficial washington went
on its rounds Of formal calls despite
the iuclement weather as in former
years, although this custcm, too, ap-
pears to be diminishing with the pass
ing Of time.
At Central High School this after
noon at 4 o'clock, alumni will as
senble for a brief but formal cere-
mony, after which there will be dane
ing until 6 o'clock. Interest centers
in the naming OF four Central High
School alumni, who have distinguished
themselves in the last year by render
ing conspicuous service. At 2 O'Clock
there will begin series Of basket
ball games, rife matches and swim
ming contests between alumni and
school teams.
L. V. Lampson is president Of the
Central Alumni Association. The prln-
cipal Of the school, DR.. Harvey A.
Smith. will make an address OF welcome
at $50 o'clock. The naming Of the
distinguished alumni will follow imme-
diately. A feature of the entertain
ment program will be the appearance
of the George Washington University
Troubadours in their musical play,
Happy Landings"
Less Fortunate Aided.
While the more fortunate in the city
were indulging in New Year repasts at
homes at social clubs, the less fortu-
nate. who are looking forward with no
less degree Of hopefulness during the
wear. were fed at the various missions
of the CITY and assured Of comfortable
lodging for the night. The Central
Union Mission, which features It's New
Year program with a reception each
year. was planning to greet several nun
dred friends during the afternoon.
Supt. and Mrs. John S. Bennett VIII
receive the guests, and the mission ana
its Emergency Home for ChlIdren VIII
be thrown open to inspection. Mem
bers of the board of directors and the
Ministerial Council will assist in the
receiving line.
At the Central "Y" Building. hun
6re6S NJ volInp people gathered for the
ioint celebration Of the Y. M. G. A.
and the Y. w. c. 4. An all-day pro-
gram Of athletics, games, music and
other forms Of entertainment had been
arranged. This evening a sound pic
ture. the King OF Kings" will be
shown at the Y. w. c. A.
Newly elected officers of the Y. M.
c. A, headed by DR.. A. c. Christie,
president, and Leonard w. DeGaSt, gen.
ersl secretary, greeted the guests at
the, Central "Y" Building. Refresh
ments were served by Hostess Com
mittee, under Mrs. DeGast, and there
was a special exhibition Of the work
of members in all departments. Com
modore w. E. Longfellow Of the Red
Cross delivered wet" lecture to the
Aquatic Club in the swimming pool
Concert Is Arranged.
At 2 o'clock In the afternoon there
will be en- orchestral concert in the
main lobby and a vocal concert by tha
Y. w. c. A. Business and Professiona,
Womens Glcc Club at O'Clock. The
Triangle Players viii offer several short
plays at $3.50 O'Clock and the do-lni'
tory men will have a palty OF their owr
at AIS O'Clock The whole night pro-
gram will shift to Barker hall.
The Christian Companionship League
q religious organization for children af'
filiated with the Volunteers Of Amer
ica, will give party for poor children
at the Relief Mission tonight at 7:3(
O'Clock lieut. Col Prank II. Wise