Evening star., 1938-12-23
Roosevelt 10 Lead
Capitals S Observance
OF Christmas
Lights National
Tree at 5 PM.
Tomorrow

Another Christmas finds WASH
ington ready to celebrate in tradi-
tional fashion, with the added i'm
petus of better business conditions
In recent months and the promise
of happier times to come.
The President and Mrs. Roose-
velt will lead the Capitals observ-
ance at the national Christmas tree
in Lafayette Square, opposite the
White House. on Christmas eve.
At S pm. the President will press
a button lighting the community
tree and then will speak briefly to
the country over Nation wide radio
networks.
Program Starts at 4:3O.
The program in the park, held an
nually for 16 years, will start at 4:3O
with a concert by the Marine Band.
DR.. Albert j. Mccartney, pastor of
the Covenant-First Presbyterian
Church, will deliver the invocation.
Representative Ross Collins of Mis-
sissippi. chairman of the House Sub
committee on District Appropria-
tlonS, will make a brief introduc-
tory speech. After President Roose-
velt has delivered Christmas greet
ings to the Nation, singing of carols
will be led by Arturo Papalardo,
director Of the Washington Schola
Cantorum. The Very Rev. Arthur
A. OLeary, president of George
town University. will pronounce the
benediction.
From Snow Court, one of the II
alleys In Washington where Christ
mas programs and gifts will be pre-
sented by the Woman's Council of
the Washington Federation of
Churches, Mrs. Roosevelt will de-
liver a radio message to the Nation
tomorrow from $50 to pm.
Earlier. at 2 pm, she was to ap-
pear at the annual Christmas party
OF the Salvation Army at 6O6 E
street NV. with Bishop James E.
Freeman making the principal ad-
dress.
Church Services at IL.
After dinner that night, President
Roosevelt will follow a custom of
many years by reading aloud Dick
ems "A Christmas Carol" On
Christmas morning the children who
are yule guests will receive their
gifts. The President and Mrs.
Roosevelt will attend services at St.
Thomas Episcopal Church at II
am. Mr.. Roosevelt will carve tur-
key at midday White House dinner.
Christmas guests will include
Franklin D. Roosevelt. jr his wife
and the youngest Roosevelt-Frank-
lin D.. Sd; Mr.. and Mrs. James
Roosevelt, with their daughters; the
Presidents mother. Mrs. James
Roosevelt, ST., and his ter-in-law.
Mrs. j. r. Roosevelt of New York;
Mrs. Roosevelt's brother, Hall Roose-
Velt OF New York. and Harry Hop
klns, works progress administrator,
with his small daughter Diane.
Three of the Roosevelt children
Mrs. Anna Boettiger and Elliott and
John Roosevelt-will be absent.
The White House Christmas
started this morning when the
President and Mrs. Roosevelt. Ne
ceived the members Of the Office
force. Each was given a chromium
paperweight bearing a likeness of
the President and the recipients S
name. The weights were made in
the metal workshop near Hyde Park
in which Mrs. Roosevelt has been in
terested.
At $3.50 pm. tomorrow the house
hold staff and police force. with
their smaller children. will be re-
ceived in the east room before a
huge tree.
To Bestow Gift.
Mrs. Roosevelt will carry out a
custom OF years when she bestows
the first bag OF gifts at the annual
chlldren's Christmas party of the
Central Union Mission at the Capitol
Theater. Homer Rodeheaver, noted
evangelist, will appear as Santa
Claus. He took the role last Christ
mas, succeeding the late John S.
Bennett, former superintendent Of
the mission, who had played Santa
Claus ever since these parties were
started in 1916. Mrs Jean Bennett.
who succeeded to the superintend-
ency, is in charge of arrangements.
Children who are to receive bags
OF clothing and toys will be mailed
tickets OF admission. Members Of
their families and friends may OBJ
tain gallery tickets from the mis-
sion without charge Hundreds of
bags for these children who other
wise might be forgotten have been
filled by organizations and individ-
uals.
Trade Exceeds Last Year.
Thronged stores report q Christ
mas trade expected to exceed last
years when the December receipts
have been counted Many stores
are remaining open the last two
nights before Christmas
Christmas carols will be sung in
Union Station at 7:45 pm. tomor-
row, celebrating the 10th ami
versary of Christmas programs
sponsored by the Travellers Aid So
ciety of Washington. MRS. Owen ].
Roberts, wife of the associate JUS
tice of the Supreme Court, is han
ding the arrangements.
Christmas. music and sermons will
be heard Sunday in churches all
over town, with cantatas and pag-
eants planned In many Of them.
District Jail inmates will have q
dash Of color in their otherwise
drab routine on Christmas Day. A
tree will be erected in the rotunda,
Supt. Thomas Rives announced.