Evening star., 1937-12-20

Christmas after a day of Christmas
church services and song yesterday
and last night.
The Washington City Post Office,
barometer Of Christmas conditions,
was running ahead of last year on the
basis Of check for the period through
last night. The total was per cent
ahead of that for the same period
last year
Yesterday was a very big day."
Postmaster Vincent Burke reported.
Before the end Of this week an army
Of $500 additional employees will be
at work handling the Washington
Christmas mail flood. A majority of
these extras already are on the job.
Mr.. Burke called attention to the
arrangements which have been made
to speed up caring for the mailing
public at the big City Post ONCE near
Union Station. In spite of the crowds,
he said, there is parking space avail
able IN the vicinity of the building
and there are no delays at the postal
windows.
Extra Mail Collection.
Last night an extra Christmas mail
collection schedule went into opera
ton throughout the city. Daily
through Thursday night, there will be
a special collection at or after mid
night from every street letter box in
the District. Mr.. Burke said. This
not only serves as an added conven-
ience to the mailing public, but evens
out the mail load at the city office
and speeds the service generally.
Christmas music is coming to play
a more and more prominent part in
Washington Yule celebrations, fact
more than usually noticeable this
year. Washington churches held spe-
cial morning vespers and evening
musical services which attracted
thousands Of worshipers. Musical
programs ranged from the simplest
and best loved Of the Christmas carols
to the greatest Of the oratorio classics,
many Of the church ctoirs being aug
mented for the occasion.
Two Christmas musical works en-
tirely new to Washington-a fantasia
on familiar Christmas carols and q
choral drama, Bethlehem" by two
OF the best-known contemporary
British composers-will be presented
by the National Choral Union at $3.50
O'Clock tonight in the National Thea
ter. Approximately $50 Washington
singers and Is members of the Ma
tional Symphony Orchestra will
participate in the two works.
Christmas Party Set.
Hugh Ross, conductor of the Schola
Cantorum Of New York, will conduct
both works. Costuming and lighting
Tor the choral drama are under super
vision Of Miss Lita Graham of New
York. Among the solo voices will be
those Of Dorothy Seegar, formerly
with the Philadelphia and st. Louis
operas: Edwin Steffe, concert and
radio star; George Myers, John Hall,
Harlan Randall, w. Edwards Deming,
George Anderson, Pauline Holcomb,
Philip Baxter, Harcourt Sontag, Byron
Roshon, Elizabeth Everett, Elsa Radle
and Edgar Kidwell. Evelyn Davis
Will dance the role of Herodias.
The annual Christmas party of
Sergt. Jasper Post, American Legion
and its auxiliary will be held at 7:3O
pm. today in the Thomson School
Twelfth and L streets NV. Eighty
children will be guests of the organ
izations and will receive toys and
Christmas stockings filled with candy
nuts and fruits. The entertainment
program, to be given by the juniors
OF Sergt. Jasper Unit, will include
Christmas cantata. Fenton Walter
and Clarke Paulson are in charge o1
tho musical numbers. Others assist
ing in the program will be Department
Comdr. Tom Mason, Mrs. Dorothy B
Harper, department president; Post
Comdr. Daniel Goodacre, Mrs. Mary
McMillin, unit president, and William
Kershner.
Final rehearsals for "The Other Wise
Man." the Christmas drama given
annually in Washington, will begin
at 7:30 pm. today at the Luther Place
Memorial Church, Thomas Circle.
Final assignment of roles will be made
The drama is to be presented at the
church December 27-30. inclusive.
A dress and music rehearsal will be
held at 1880 pm Wednesday, with
Miss Katherine Riggs as director of
music and Bess Davis Schreiner and
Denis z. Connell in charge of the
dramatic action. The costume direc-
tor for this season is Miss Christine
Stewart. Harvard Whitfield is director
Of settings and Harold Snyder OF
lighting effects. Irving L. Koch Is
chairman Of the production.
TIE anal 1rsag Tshsarsal ~ tAe
sasel aans eaEc3sa q H. 4h4D9 4