Evening star., 1937-12-19
FESTIVE YULET|DE
ACTIVITIES START
District Expects to Enjoy
Most BountifuI Season
Since Boom DAYS.

Pre-Christmas activities in Wash
ington were expected to swing into
full stride tomorrow in preparation
for one of the most beautiful Yule-
tide seasons since the boom days OF
1929.
Special pains were being taken by
churches and charitable organiza-
tions and by big-hearted citizens in
all walks Of life to make sure that
the needy and unfortunate still within
the community do not suffer during
the coming season of universal joy.
Prospects Of good weather during
the week were expected to expedite
the final preparations for the holi-
day season which will begin officially
at dusk Friday when President Roose-
velt will signal the event to WASH
ington and the Nation by lighting the
National Community Christmas Tree
in Lafayette Park.
In a material way, Washington
found itself well prepared for the
coming of Christmas Final pay
ments totaling $5.300,000 have been
distributed by Washington banks
among those who maintained Christ
mas savings accounts through the
year. In addition, five banks are
paying extra dividends, the Depart
mental Bank planning to start per
cent payments to more than 1000
depositors at 9 am. tomorrow.
Buying Ahead of 1886.
Christmas buying in Washington
Is little ahead of totals last year 1T
the same time, it was announced yes
terday by Edward D. Shaw, general
manager Of the Merchants & Manu-
facturers' Association. He said that
although no definite figures are yet
available, the indications so far are
for an even better year than last
Purchasing during the past week was
stimulated by fair, cold weather, ne
said
Officials of local department stores
said it is too early for them to make
definite estimates, especially in view
of the fact that several of the stores
are remaining open evenings this year.
The lighting of the Nations Christ
mas tree by the President will fol-
low a program of music by the
United States Marine Band, begin
ming at 4:30 pm Friday The Presi-
dent and his party will arrive at
pm.
The broadcast. beginning with the
arrival of the President. will include
an invocation by the Rev. Russell j.
Clinchy, Introductory remarks by
Senator Thomas, Democrat, Of Okla
homa; greetings to the President
and Mrs. Roosevelt by Boy and Girl
Scouts; carols by the Schola Cantorum,
the Presidents Christmas greetings
to the Nation and a benediction by
the Very Rev. Michael J. Ready.
The ceremonies will be broadcast
over the network of the Mutual Broad
casting System, including Station
VOL.
700 Chairs Available.
The Community Center Depart
ment announced that there will be
TOO chairs available for the general
public at the scene Of the lighting
There will be no tickets required for
these seats The few reserved seats
which will be available already have
been reserved for Federal and Dis
trict officials and civic leaders.
The National Community Christmas
Tree has been a feature of the Wash
tngton Yuletide observance since 1924,
when President Coolidge remarked
that, from the standpoint of conser-
vation, 1t was "a mistake" to cut the
big trees then used for large Christ
mas displays. AS a result Of his re-
mark the practice of using living
tree originated.
President Coolidge went to the light
Ing ceremony in person instead Of
pressing a button in the White House
because there was not money enough
to pay for stringing wire over the
intervening distance Since that time
the custom has spread throughout the
United States and next Friday thou
sands of other trees all over the
country will be lighted at the same
time the chimes ring out in Lafayette
Park, signaling that the President has
lighted the tree.
There will be other community
Christmas trees in various parts Of
Washington. Mrs Franklin D. Roose-
welt will off1ciate at the dedication
OF one Of them, at the Hopkins place
slum clearance project in Southeast
Washington, during the holidays
The National Capital Parks Office
has granted nine permits for erection
OF Yule trees In various parts of the
park system. One of these will be
located at Seventh street and Penn
sylvania avenue S. E., under The spon-
sorship Of the Southeast Business
Mems Association. This tree will be
the scene of q ceremony at o'clock
Christmas morning, when delegation
Of the business men, headed by Presi-
dent Clarence F. Donohoe, will as
semble there to watch the distribution
by Santa Claus of gifts to children of
the neighborhood.
Prices Somewhat Higher.
The average Washington family will
find Christmas tree prices somewhat
higher this year than In recent years,
but the supply and quality of trees
promises to be better than ever. The
average apartment-size tree Is expected
to cost from 81 to $3.50, while 10 to
II foot trees range from 81 to as
much As SIS.
More Canadian balsam and spruce
trees are available In Washington
markets this year than ever before,
trees Of this type having gained stead
lily IN popularity here despite their
higher prices.
Washington also is buying more
painted trees" this year than in the
past. These trees are sprayed with
paint and may be had in gold, silver,
white or colors.
Generally fair weather is expected
20 prevail here during the pre- Christ
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