Evening star., 1934-11-28
NEEDY YT0GETF0OD
ON THANKSGIVING
Churches Plan Services.
Schools and Offices Close
for Holiday.

Conforming to the popular custom
which dictates that the President by
special proclamation shall set aside
a day for national thanksgiving. fixing
the date thereof, but which also
dictates that this date shall be the
last Thursday in November, Washing
ton and the Nation tomorrow will OBJ
serve Thanksgiving day, 1884.
It took more than 200 years for
custom to settle on the last Thursday
in November, it was recalled as the
Nation prepared to give thanks to-
morrow "for what has already been
achieved" AS late as 1868 President
Lincoln ordained an August Thanks
giving, which was observed on Thurs
day. August 6. of that year. The
Continental Congress, according to
record, appointed no less than eight
days of thanksgiving, which occurred
in April, May, July and December.
Services in Churches.
Special services of thanksgiving will
be held by most of Washington's
churches tomorrow, many of them
holding union services. Many Federal
employees, released from their offices
at l pm. today. will spend tomorrow
with relatives in nearby States. The
District government and all Federal
departments, except Agriculture. will
release all employees who can be
spared from their duties this after
noon. The 10000 public school stu
dents. leaving their class rooms at
o'clock today, will not return until
Monday.
The Thanksgiving weather is prob
lematical, but there probably will be
occasional showers today and tomor-
row over most of the Eastern United
States, with continued mild weather,
the Weather Bureau forecast. The
normal procession of highs and lows
across the country from west to east
has been completely broken up, it was
explained, and the weather map is
Complex beyond imagination" max
ing an accurate forecast almost i'm
possible.
Needy to Be Fed.
Baskets of food for 300 needy fami-
lies in the city will be distributed at
2 pm. today at the Central Union
Mission in preparation for its usual
Thanksgiving day program.
Rather than diSappoint the families
on its list, the mission is creating a
sizeable deficit to meet all its Thanks
giving day demands, superintendent
John S. Bennett said yesterday. for
the Thanksgiving appeal for funds
fell considerably below its objective
this year. In addition to the baskets
Of food the mission will serve special
dinner to 500 transients at its mems
quarters tomorrow. There will be
roast pork instead of turkey. but
plenty of trimmings" to make a
hearty meal.
The 40 or more boys and girls Of
the Children's Emergency Home, under
Mrs. Bennett, will have a turkey din
ner at the home tomorrow. special
provision having been made for them
by the Women's Board of the mission.
Volunteer workers will be on hand
this afternoon to help distribute the
baskets of food. Each basket will
contain dinner for family of five
persons. Including the dinners for
the men, the mission estimates its
Thanksgiving relief activities this year
will extend to approximately 2,100
needy persons.
Turkey in Hospitals.
Turkey, chicken, dressing and trim
mings we're to be served in most of
Washington's hospitals At Tubercu-
losis Hospital traditional New Eng
land Thanksgiving dinner was in order.
A turkey dinner was planned at the
Home for the Aged and Inflrm and
chicken dinner at the Industrial Home
and the Industrial Home School for
Colored Children.
Welfare, fraternal, religious and
charitable organizations are planning
to see that none of Washington's needy
go hungry on Thanksgiving. Thanks
giving baskets by the hundreds are to
be distributed. Churches and Sunday
schools, with their aid and welfare
societies, will take an active part in the
distribution of baskets. Others will
serve free Thanksgiving dinners.
oooPci MloolOll SIdl leu lIle QlStTlDu-
ton today of $50 large baskets of fresh
meats, vegetables and fruits, and to-
morrow will serve turkey dinners to
all who go to the chapel, 214 John
Marshall place.
The Library of Congress will observe
its holiday schedule tomorrow. remain
ing open from 2 to 10 pm.
Libraries Closed.
The central building of the Public
Library at Eighth and K streets, and
all branches and sub-branches will be
closed all day, according to DR..
George F. Bowerman, librarian, who