Evening star., 1936-11-28
PARADE FEATURES
LIGHTING Of LANE.
Original Santa Claus Lane
Is Opened in Columbia
Heights.

Several thousand Columbia Heights
residents turned out in festive spirit
last night to witness the lighting Of
washington's original Santa Claus
Lane by Commissioner Melvin G.
Hazen and the mammoth parade which
followed.
Barnum A. Levitan, who as presi-
dent of the Columbia Heights Busi-
ness Mems Association, which spon-
sors the annual event, originated the
lane idea in 1929, stood at the Com
missioner's side AS the double row
of brilliantly colored lights extending
along Fourteenth street from Fair
mont to Newton streets flashed on,
the large crowd cheered.
Behind the scenes several elec-
tricians had worked at top speed until
few minutes before the scheduled
lighting time to bring the system
within qualifications of the District
electrical regulations. Changes in the
lighting system were ordered after
representatives of the Northeast Busi-
ness Mems Associations complained
to District officials about the "im-
proper" wiring.
Next to the reviewing stand at
Fourteenth and Irving streets stood
an 18-foot decorated Christmas tree,
where twice weekly beginning Friday
night there will be singing of
Christmas carols. DR.. William v.
Connors will be in charge of the
singing program.
Queen Is Crowned.
Miss Betty Jane Hahn. queen of the
parade, was formally crowned Miss
Columbia Heights at a dance and
ceremonies held in the Arcade Audi
torium following the parade In
cluded in her court were Adrienne and
Virginia Hayes. Lillian Mccarthy
Valerie Ralon and Frances Brill. Miss
Hahn, chosen for the regal office at
q meeting OF the business mems or
ganization Tuesday, rode In the parade
on float, surrounded BY her maids
Of honor.
More than l.100 persons, IL musical
units and countless floats and CO.'S
TUNED marching groups took part in
the procession. The entire first divi-
sion Of the cavalcade was composed
Of floats entered by Columbia Heights
business establishments
Supt. of Police Ernest w. Brown, as
grand marshal of the parade, was
given an American Legion Guard of
Honor. headed by Commander Horace
Lineberg.
Musical Groups in Line.
Martial music was supplied by the
Washington Gas Light Band; Ameri-
can Legion, Fort Stevens Drum and
Bugle Corps; Columbia Post, Ameri-
can Legion Band; Boy Scout Drum
and Bugle Corps; Costello Post,
American Legion, Drum and Bugle
Corps; Veterans of Foreign Wars
Band, Chestnut Farms Employees
Band. Elks Boys Band, Elks Clown
Band, Americanization Band, Wilson
Teachers College Band and the Po-
lice Boys Club Band.
Marching units included the Ameri-
can Legion. Veterans of Foreign Wars,
Columbia Heights Business Mems As
sociation, Citizens Forum of Colum-
bia Heights. Ladies' Auxiliary, Ameri-
can Legion: Ladies Auxiliary, Veter-
ans Of Foreign Wars; District of Co
lumbia National Guard, Boy Scouts,
Jobs Daughters Drill Team and the
School Boy Patrol. Members OF the
Powell Junior High School student
body and the Parent-Teachers' Asso-
citation also participated.
Committee Members.
Leslie T. Rucker, chairman of the
Parade Committee, directed the parade
from sound truck opposite the re-
viewing stand. Levitan was general
chairman of the Events, and George
A. Ford, vice chairman. Other lane
committee members were H. c. Phil
lips, L. r. Gottieb, w. T. Gary,
Joseph Ofano. E. l.. Hord, Stanley
Long, James Chirieleison, Joseph
Shrader, w. F. Dismer, P. A. Hani-
gan, Dr., M. Gottlieb, william c.
Brooks, Alton B. Carly, DIR. Conners,
Miss Lillias Cropper, Carl Donch,
Harry Engel, Fred Lemley. DR. Erwin
Steinman, A. r. Swan, Walter p. Gray
and Nat Levy.
Mrs. Melvin c. Hazen and Mrs.
Mary Killeen, department commander
of the Ladies Auxiliary of the District
American Legion, we're among the
honorary guests.