Evening star., 1933-12-25
LEAD
i CHRISTMAS RITES
White House Family Aroused
Early by GrandchiIdren's
Shouts of Delight.
Continued From First Page.)

Continued From First Page)
he said, grow in us all in the year to
come"
He was happy. he continued. because
he had "the deep conviction that this
year marks a greater national under
standing of the significance in our mod
ern lives of Him whose birth we cele-
brate."
Then he referred to his oft-repeated
good neighbor" philosophy. ITO more
and more of u.s." he declared, the
words, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as
thySelf.' have taken on meaning that
is showing itself and proving itself in
our purposes and daily lives"
There was another burst of applause
when the Chief Executive concluded his
address. On behalf of the people of
Washington, greetings were extended to
the President by Boy Scout Harlan E.
Mcclure and Girl Scout Margaret
Lusby. The President listened atten-
lively as the children spoke their pieces.
Cheers Mark Departure.
Then, after Margaret had shyly pre-
sented the First Lady with great bou-
quet of roses. the Chief Executive and
his party re-entered their cars and were
whisked back to the White House AS
the machines pulled away there came
cries of Merry Christmas, Chief" and
the Chief" raised his hand in a smil-
ing salute.
The ceremonies were sponsored by
the Community Center Department Of
the District public schools, the Ameri-
can Forestry Association and the Of
flee of National Capital Parks Of the
Interior Department.
Although the presidential party did
not reach the square until 5 O'Clock.
the ceremonies began half an hour
earlier. During the Commute interval,
the Marine Band. under Capt. Taylor
GhopIS fro T6e mess5a NE 5allelSjah
areth," the "ChildrenS March," end
selections from Babes in Toyland" snd
Memories of Christmas" Also, at the
arrival and departure of the President,
the band played Hail to the Chief
AS the tree was lighted by the Chief
Executive, the Gordon Junior High
School Carolers, led by Mary M. Will
kins, began their singing. Carols also
were sung by the George Washington
University Glee Club.
Official Family Scattered.
The Presidents official family was
scattered. Vice President Garner was
at his home in Uvalde, Tex. Secretary
of State Hull was in South America,
attending the Montevideo conference.
Postmaster General Farley was in his
New York home. Acting Secretary of
the Treasury Morgenthau was at his
DutcheSS County, N. Y. home. Secre-
of -,
hospital, i'll. as was Secretary of War
Dern, suffering from an eye infection.
Secretary IckeS had left his hospital
bed to spend two days at home, but was
due to return for further treatment of
an injury suffered in fall. And Sec
retary of the Treasury Woodin was in
Arizona, convalescing from serious ILL
ness brought on by throat infection
and strain incidental to his Treasury
work.
The weather was mild, almost
Springlike. About the nearest the
Weather Bureau could come to promis-
ing an old-fashioned white Christ
mas" was to forecast cloudy and much
colder" today, with partly cloudy" to-
morrow.
$4,000 Gifts Distributed.
Thanks to the generous response to
the third annual toy matinees" of The
Star and the Warner Bros. theaters,
approximately $4,000 gifts were dis
tributed among needy children in all
sections of the city. The gifts were
turned over to Santa Claus by the
Christmas Planning Committee OF the
Council of Social Agencies.
At midnight mass was celebrated in
Catholic churches throughout the city,
and lights-red and green and blue ones
CLEANED from windows of thousands
of homes
Many participated in holy communion
services in Bethlehem chapel, at the
Washington Cathedral, and there were
similar rites in numerous other
churches. In the afternoon, carols were
sung in the great choir of the Cathe-
dral. and Right Rev James E. Free
man, Bishop of Washington, extended
his greetings.
In the evening program OF Christ
mas music was presented for President
and Mrs Roosevelt. and a few of their
friends by the Washington Choral So
ciety, under the direction of Louis A.
Potter and Mrs Gertrude Lyons.
In the midst of all his Yuletide &C
tivities. the Chief Executive found time
to send a few words of holiday cheer
to the men of the Army and the-Navy.
His greetings read:
ITO the Army and Navy: MY Christ
mas greetings and good wishes to the
officers and men of the Army and Navy.
welt, Commander Chief"