Evening star., 1939-12-22
Capital Plans
For Biggest yu|e
In lis History
Many Celebrations
Held as Festive Air
Pervodes City

With the schools closed and Fed
eral departments winding up their
work until Tuesday, Washington to-
day vas preparing for the biggest
Christmas week end in the citys
history.
More than 10000 children were
released from the public schools
yesterday afternoon until January 2,
and private schools and colleges
were closing at the same time.
A festive air pervaded the Dis
trict Building today, where gifts
were exchanged and Christmas
carols sung. Maj. Daniel j. Dono-
van. District auditor. issued invi-
tations for a yule songfest in his
Office this afternoon.
Carols to Be Sung Again.
Child troubadours were to make a
second trip through downtown
Washington this afternoon to sing
carols from their gayly decorated
streetcar. About 70 young singers
from the District Playground De-
partment will board the car at S
pm. at Fourteenth and East Capt.
tol streets. The car will proceed up
F street to Fourteenth street NV,
then to the car barn on Decatur
street. and return.
Several citizens associations last
night held annual community cele-
bratlons and lit Christmas trees, and
plans were completed for the light
Ing of the national community
Christmas tree by President Roose-
welt in the Ellipse south of the White
House at dusk Sunday.
Nearly hundred members of the
Hillcrest and Summit Park Citizens
Associations last night attended a
celebration in front of East WASH
ington Heights Baptist Church,
where a tree was lighted. The Rev.
Glenn B. Fausett, pastor of the
church, opened the exercises with
an invocation. John w. Martin,
president of the Hillcrest group,
pressed button which lighted the
electrical decorations on the tree.
Others participating in the program
were the Rev. Karl G.. Newell, pas
tor of Ryland Methodist Church,
and the Rev. Joseph v. Buckley,
pastor of st. Francis Xavier Cath
olic Church.
Citizens Celebration.
Members of the citizens associa-
tions of Takoma, D. c., and Manor
Park last night held their eighth
annual Christmas celebration about
a 50-foot Colorado spruce at the
Whittier Municipal Fairgrounds,
Fourth and Whittier streets NV.
The tree was lighted by Wallace
c. Magathan. president of the
Takoma association, and Daniel B.
Lloyd, head of the Manor Park
group. Christmas carols were sung
by the members as they circled a
big log fire. The singing was led
by Ira Krider.
The Rev. George schnobel pastor
of the Evangelical Lutheran Church,
gave the invocation, and Arthur
Kriemelmeyer, playground director,
made a brief talk The role of
Santa Claus was taken by William
M. Greene, secretary of the Takoma
group, who made special gifts to
the boy and girl who had done the
best work for the Christmas Cheer
Club of the Takoma Recreation
Center. Mary Julia Airley read a
Christmas poem.
Commissioner Melvin C. Hazen
and Police Chief Ernest w. Brown
will participate tonight in the light
Ing OF a community tree at Thir-
teenth and w streets NV The ex-
ercises will be held at 7:3O o'clock
Parade to Be Held.
Another event at 7:30 o'clock to-
night will be a parade sponsored by
the Metropolis View Citizens Asso-
citation.
The column will form at Seventh
and Jackson streets NE and will
move along Franklin street to
Fourth street NE.
Mrs. Roosevelt will be one of the
busiest persons in the city tomorrow
with a schedule calling for partici-
patton in several parties given by
welfare agencies for the under
privileged.
At $3.50 am. she will help at the
Central Union Missions party in the
Capitol Theater; at $50 am. she
will go to the Arlington (Va) XII
wants Club party for underprivileged
children; at pm. she will be at
the Volunteers of America party in
Thomson School, and at O'Clock
she will be guest at the Salvation
Army party, COG E street NV.
The Women's Community and
Welfare Club at Seat Pleasant, Md.
will bold Christmas celebration
tonight at o'clock in the audi
torium at the Seat Pleasant School
Gifts of clothing, food and toys will
be made to 125 needy children, and
community dance will follow, ii
was announced.
The Arkansas Avenue Community
Association will hold its first an
nual Christmas party at BIS pm
Wednesday. December 81, in Tel
ford's Buffeteria. 4724 Fourteenth
street NV. Mrs. Henry G. Doyle
president of the Board of Educa-
ton, will be.the principal speaker
An entertainment program and re-
3reshments will be provided.