Evening star., 1933-12-25
Roosevelt Grandchildren Up
Early to See GiftS-Presi-
dent Gets Thousands.
CHIEF EXECUTIVE LIGHTS
SHERMAN SQUARE TREE
Radio Chains Garry Messages of
Cheer to Farthest Reaches
of Country.

The National capital led the rest Of
the country today in celebrating an
other Christmas.
The staid, old White House, like mil
, lions of other American homes, re-
sounded with childish screams Of de-
I light at an early hour.
The two Roosevelt grandchildren
"Sistie." not quite 6, and "BuZze," not
yet 4, the children of Mrs. Anna Dali,
only daughter of the President and the
First Lady-were up bright and early.
After examining the contents OF
their stockings. hanging over the fire
place in thar nursery, and playing
with the toys left for them by Santa
Claus, they awakened just about every
body in the big house.
President Opens Gifts.
They went to their mothers room
first, then to their grandmother then
to their grandfather's BY this time
the Presidents mother, Mrs. James
Roosevelt, also was up. Soon the FAM
lily gathered in "grandfather's" room
and watched him open some of the
thousands of packages sent to him by
admirers in all parts of the world:
The thing that touched the Chief
Executive was the fact few Of the gifts
were expensive Many Of them were
crude things, made by the men, women
and children who had sent them to
him. Some Of them were addressed to
both the President and his Lady, and
she. too, was touched.
After breakfast the President and
his family attended special Christmas
services in st. Thomas Church. Then
they returned to the Executive Man
sion and gathered around the tree at
the east end of the hallway on the
second floor, exchanged presents.
A 25-pound turkey gobbler will be the
piece de resistance of the Roosevelts'
dinner at o'clock tonight.
President Lights Tree.
Celebration of Christmas-regarded
by many as the best Christmas since
the lean years of the depression began
got under way at dusk yesterday.
with the lighting of the Community
Tree in Sherman Square by the Pres1-
dent of the United States.
From all parts of the District, and
from nearby Maryland and Virginia
as we'll celebrants came; and In all
parts Of the Nation others listened.
their radios tuned to catch the voice OF
the Chief Executive.
Crowds began forming in the square
lO1lR OclOIc IIlc FIColuCllt dllA lho AoAi4liJ
came from the White House, hardly
more than good stones throw away.
BY the time the First Family OF the
Land reach the square, accompanied
by Secret Service men and gold-braided
White House aides, at least 5000 men,
women and children were there.
It was the eleventh successive year
that a Chief Executive had led the
Nation in its Yuletide celebration by
pressing the button that transformed
the dark shadow of the fir into mass
of multi-colored lights. And, at pre-
cIsely the same moment, thousands of
other trees in homes and in public
squares throughout the land were
lighted.
The 5000 or more formed semi
citcle around the tall tree when the
President and his family arrived. They
waited almost as silently as the tree,
which stood out against the fading
sunset-red of the sky like the jagged
head Of huge spear.
Children Sing Carols.
Across the square and the adjacent
park lands lights blinked on. Children
carolers, dressed in red and green
costumes Of the kind worn in LONDON
at the time in which Charles Dickens
immortal Christmas CAROL is laid.
sang that rolicking old tune, The
Holly and the Ivy"
The arrival of the First Family was
heralded by the clear notes of a bugle
sounded by Boy Scout Karl Krumka
Applause rang out as the President
stepped from the shiny black White
House limousine and was escorted TO
the small stand set up about 80 feet
from the base of the tree.
In the family party were the Presi-
dents wife, his mother, Mrs. James
Roosevelt; his daughter, Mrs. Curtis
Dali; his two grandchildren, "Sistle"
and "Buzzie' Dali; his uncle and aunt.
Mr.. and Mrs. Frederick A. Delano, and
another aunt, Mrs. Dora Forbes. Col:
E. M. Watson, chief military aide, ana
Capt. Walter Vernon, chief naval aide,
accompanied the party.
King Introduces President.
The ceremonies were opened by Sen.
stor King, chairman of the Senate Dis
trict Committee, who, after brief ao-
dress, introduced the President. j.
Mr.. Roosevelt's message. broadcast
over a Nationwide radio hook-up. was
built around his favorite adage-"Love
thy neighbor as thyself."
MAY the practice of that high ideal. :.
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