Evening star., 1935-12-23
YULE ACTIVITIES
INDICATE THRONG
MAY SET RECORD
Extra Seating Arranged for
Tree Ceremony in La
fayette Park.
STORES ARE JAMMED
BY TARDY SHOPPERS
Christmas Eve Carol Program at
Public Library One Of
Many Events.


men were busy today in Lafayette
Park, trimming the community tree.
With the lighting of the tree tomor-
row evening, President Roosevelt will
signal to the Nation the beginning of
what is expected to be the gayest
Yuletide celebration in years.
The unusual volume of Christmas
business. expected to reach record
proportions before the stores close
their doors tomorrow, is regarded as
an encouraging feature of general
business recovery reported today by
Secretary of Commerce Roper in his
annual review.
An fashioned white Christmas
appeared to be in store for Wash
ington, as the Weather Bureau fore
cast more snow before tomorrow
night. followed by weather cold enough
to keep the white blanket on the
ground for some time.
Inspection of the community tree
was made today by a special COM
mittee of lighting experts, represent
ing the Washington Electric Institute
and headed by John S. Bartlett, as
finishing touches were put on the
elaborate Illuminating system, whicn
will blaze into color when the Presl-
dent throws the switch at 5:O9 pm.
tomorrow.
Hundreds of Bulbs.
Hundreds of handicapped light
bulbs, treated by a special process
which is expected to give an unusual
" brilliant effect, have been put on
the tree unfJIf direction of the Light
ing Com<Adttee, which, in addition to
Mr.. B<ftlett, includes, N. H. Barnes
EdwId C. Graham, Frank T. Shull, l..
I <Souder of the Electric Institute
Harold Snyder of the Community
Center Department and representa-
tives of the Potomac Electric Power
Co.
Permanent cables from the city
power lines to the tree have been laid
by the Office of National Capital
Parks both for lighting and for ampli-
fication purposes, simplifying and
speeding up the electrical installa-
tions. Stands for tomorrow evenings
ceremonies, which will begin at 4.3O
pm. with a program of Christmas
music, have been completed by the
parks office. Arrangements have been
completed for installation OF Christ
mas chimes, which will be a new Tea
ture of this years celebration, ana
which will sound throughout the Ma
ton via radio when the the President
throws the switch.
Final plans for reception of the
presidential party and the celepra-
tions at the tree we're approved by the
general committee in charge. Theo-
dore A. Walters, First Assistant Secre-
tary of the Interior, will preside at the
ceremonies and introduce the Pres
ident.
Extra Seating Arranged.
Because the demand for seats in
Lafayette Park tomorrow evening is
heavier than ever before, the National
Capital Parks Office has arranged to
place a section of chairs in front Of
the Presidents stand. The seating Of
distinguished guests will be in charge
Of committee headed by Mrs. L. w.
Hardy, Community Center Depart
rnent
This year, for the first time, the
presidential guard of honor will be
headed by the commander Of the
washington High School Cadet Corps,
Col. Edwin A. Halsey, jr., of Central
High School. His staff will be COM
posed Of Cadet Majs Frederick Fryer
and Frank E. Skinner of his regular
corps staff and of Cadet Lieut.. Coils.
Burton D. Borden, Robert ]. Downey,
John B. Fegan, G. Cabell Busick, Jo-
seph Mahoney and James B. Moser of
the brigade composed of regiments
from the white high schools and Of
Cadet Col. William H. Bullock, Lieut..
Col. Robert w. King and Capt. Charles
Winston of the 9th Brigade.
AS in previous years District Boy
Scouts and Girl Scouts will serve as a
special guard of honor to the Presi-
dent and Mrs. Roosevelt.
Annual Carol Program.
The National Capital Choir's seventh
annual Christmas eve carol program
will be presented, under the direction
OF DR.. Albert w. Harmed, in the CEN
tral building of the Public Library,
Eignth and K streets, at 2:15 pm.
beg1nning at 2:30, the program will be
broadcast over a Nationwide hook-un
Oh tne Columbia network, through sta
ton WJSV, it was announced by DR..
George r. Bowerman, librarian.
The first part Of the program will in
clude community singing by the audi
erice. DR.. Bowerman and Rev. James
Shera Montgomery, House chaplain.
will speak briefly. Although library
service will be suspended at pm, the
building will remain open for the
musical program. Soloists will be Irene
Koehl, soprano, and Jessie Masters,
contralto. Nation Boyce will accom-
pany the choir.
Singing by Children.
THE Nativity Story" with the sing
ing Of carols by children of the
Brightwood School Glee Club, viii be
given at O'Clock this evening in
Roosevelt High School auditorium by
the Children's Community Theater.
The production will be directed by
Miss Helen 7. Burton.
There will be preliminary song
fest in Roosevelt auditorium by the
Massachusetts, State Society Choral
Club, headed by Mrs. Stanley Buck.
The annual presentation of DR.. |
Henry Van Dykes Christmas drama,
The Other Wise Man." will be given
Thursday. Friday and Saturday in
Luther Place Memorial Church by the
Chapel Players.
There viii be performances at $3.50 |
pm. each of the three days and an |