The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1935-12-24
ROOSEvELTS|N
GAY MOODFOR
SANTA ROLES
President and First Lady
Are Prepared for Busy
Christmas Eve.
SONS AT WHITE HOUSE
SiStie and Buzzie Are Ill So
They Can't Attend
Happy Party.

By United Press
WASHINGTON, Dec. 24.-Presi-
dent and Mrs. Roosevelt played
Santa Claus To-Day but were dis
appointed to learn that there will
be two fewer small stockings before
the White House fireplace tonight
than they had expected.
Curtis Roosevelt DALI better
known as Buzzie, has a cold, and
he and his sister-Anna Eleanor
Dali, will remain in New York until
Friday. Their mother, Mrs. John
Boettiger, and her husband also will
miss the White House Christmas
festivities.
There were, however, many chill
dren around the First Lady today
Mrs. Roosevelt started off by
helping Santa Claus start the dis
tribution of TOO gay cretonne bags
bullying with toys, clothing, fruits
and candies, to as many children
at a downtown theater. Each bag
bore the name of the child to whom
it was given.
Helps Salvation Army.
A gay circus atmosphere pre-
vailed. Mrs. Roosevelt, led by high
hated, relocated ringmasters
walked through the Hobbies among
the cages of animals as merry
clowns ushered the 100 children
and their parents to their seats. The
children saw an Our Gang" COM
edy before Santa Claus and Mrs
Roosevelt arrived.
When Mrs. Roosevelt went to the
microphone on the stage she said
Il won't keep you because 1 know
you want to see what is in these
bags. So I'll just wish you a very
merry Christmas and a very, very
happy New Year"
She talked to few shy boys and
girls, waved and rushed away to tie
up some more packages and, with
the President, greet the White
House office staff.
After luncheon, Mrs. Roosevelt
will go to the Salvation Army tC
help distribute Christmas boxes.
Retainers to Be Guests
At $3.50, the President and Mrs
Roosevelt will have a Christmas
party for all the household and per-
Sonal staff and their families. The
White House cooks, buffers, dish
washer, chauffeurs, gardeners, maids
cleaners, policemen and their wives
husbands, and children will gather
in the East Room, where this
country's most formal parties are
held. The President and his wife
will personally greet all of them
There will be gifts for each family
At p. m. the President and all
the family will go to Lafayette
Square to light the community
Christmas tree. The ceremonies
will be broadcast. With President
and Mrs. Roosevelt will be the
Presidents mother, Mrs. James
Roosevelt; his sister-in-law, Mrs
James Roosevelt Roosevelt; his old
est son, James, and his wife BETS,
and his little daughter, Sara; his
two sons home from Harvard
Franklin Jr., and John.
Girl Scouts to Sing
Then the family will have the
rest of the evening to themselves
The Girl Scouts will, as usual, sing
Christmas carols at the White
House windows, and be invited in
for a few minutes.
After an early dinner, the Presi-
dent will read Dickens christmas
Carol to his family as usual or
Christmas. He abridged the famous
Christmas story himself to provide
an edition of a length suitable for
after dinner reading.
When the grandchildren's bed
time comes, they will hang then
stockings on the mantelpiece in the
Presidents bedroom.
Then the President and Mrs
Roosevelt and their grown-up chill
dren will decorate the Christmas
tree.