Evening star., 1939-12-24
White House
Continued From Page B-5)

were erected in Archies room. And
it was at Christmas balls that Alice
and Ethel Roosevelt made their
brilliant debuts.
Big and jovial, President Taft was
working busily in his study one
Christmas morning when the three
newsboys who served papers at the
White House timidly asked permis-
sion to see "the man of the house"
Word was promptly sent out to
bring EN- in" After they had
entered and exchanged greetings
with the President one of the trio
affirmed that all three were pretty
good boxers.
That's fine" Mr.. Taft COM
mented. DO you box with gloves
or bare fists?"
Either" came the answer in triple
chorus and so prompt and earnest
ana spontaneous was the reply that
the Presidents laughter doomed
through the White House and shook
its ancient rafters.
The custom of Christmas carols at
the White House may have orig
mated in the Taft administration,
At midnight on Christmas Eve a
group OF singers appeared on the
lawn singing "Adeste Fidelis." Soon
light appeared at one of the upper
windows, the sash flew up and a
huge figure clad in blue dressing
gown leaned out, beaming happily
on the assemblage. When the hymn
was finished the President called
out, Merry Christmas, and thank
you very much!"
Wilson Days.
Woodrow Wilson's White House
Christmases were happy ones. Baby
Ellen McAdoo and the Sayre young
sters added much to the joyousness
OF the day and the President entered
fully into esprit of the season.
There were no children at the
White House during the brief and
tragic Harding administration, but
Mrs. Coolidge saw to it, when her
husband succeeded to the office of
President, that the White House
tradition was maintained. John
Coolidge attended numerous parties
In Washington during the Christ
mas holiday season. However, the
shadow of the loss of young Calvin
never quite lifted from the Presi-
dent. Mrs. Coolidge, for several
years, evinced her unforgetfulness of
the unfortunate by participating
personally in the distribution of Sal
vation Army dinners to the poor of
the Capital and of clothing and
toys to underprivileged children.
And as a member of the cabinet
circle. Mrs. Hoover visited Children's
Hospital at Christmas time to
brighten the lives of the youngsters
there, a practice which she con-
tinued after moving into the White
House.
During these latter-day admins
trations, including the present one
of Franklin D. Roosevelt, the COM
munity Christmas tree has become
a fixture and participation in the
lighting ceremonies on Christmas
Eve is now ritual to which all look
forward and none less than the
Chief Executive and his family,
Latterly, the President has taken
this occasion to broadcast a message
Of Yuletide cheer to the entire
Nation.
It is a fact that the Franklin
Roosevelts have made more Of
Christmas than almost any other
occupants of the White House.
Whether at Hyde Park or in WASH
ington, recent presidential Christ
masses have been truly gala affairs.
Children and grandchildren galore,
and lots of noise, presents, games
and good things to eat. And then
there is the Presidents happy an
nual custom of reading Dickens
"A Christmas Carol" to the entire
family circle.
Although the shadow of war hangs
darkly over much of the world, this
Christmas finds America at peace,
and the President leading in the
celebration Of the glowing Yuletide
festival