davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1939-12-24

handed host and he marked the day
not alone with piety, but with that
warmth and gaiety which we have
since come to identify with "the
good old days" It was Washing
tons delight to entertain many of
his friends and well-wishers of the
countryside on this day. The tables
were lader with every sort of good
thing to eat and there was no
scarcity of fine vintages.
First Occupants.
When the first occupants of the
White House, John and Abigail
Adams, arrived in Washington they
found that the Capital was but d
collection of rude dwellings con-
nected by muddy streets and that
the Presidents house itself was
cold and unfinished. But even so
the peppery little New Englander
was determined that the first
Christmas should be a merry one.
The Adamses had no children of
Christmas age but Savannah, a
grandchild, had plenty of energy,
and by it she made up for what the
household lacked in numbers.
Suzannah's most cherished possess
sion that Christmas was a pretty
dolls tea set, and to share her
pleasure she invited in one of her
playmates. The result, of course,
was that most of the dishes were
quickly broken. Promptly Savannah
decided that retaliation was in Or
der, so she bit the nose off her
little guests yuletide present,
large wax doll, popular then. The
fireworks started in earnest-and
the White House resounded with
the same kind of noise that will
shake the rafters of so many Ameri-
can homes as the shadows lengthen
on Christmas Day!
It was Dolly Madison who. as wife
of the Secretary of State, acted as
hostess for the widowered President
Jefferson. There were grandchil-
dren in the White House during
Jefferson's terms of Office, and
they, with the assistance of the
laughing, apple-cheeked Dolly,
managed to make Christmas gay
time. However, it was in 1915, after
Mrs. Madison had moved into the
White House as result of her hus-
bands election to the presidency,
that the most picturesque Christ
mas incident of her time occurred.
It was recorded by Mrs. Benjamin
w. Crowninshield, wife of the Sec
retary of the Navy, who wrote that
on 'Christmas eve the White House
parrot was brought into the family
circle. 1T ran after Mary" she
wrote, trying to catch her feet
in its beak, so frightening her that
she jumped in chair and clung
to Mrs. Madison, with the result
that we had quite a frolic."
That eminent young gentleman,
Daniel Cupid, made his White
House debut in 1920, and it was at
the Christmas party of that year
that there was begun the romance
of Maria Hester Monroe, daughter
of President Monroe. Born in
France during her fathers diplo-
matte service there, mature for her
years and the darling of the Cap
ital, she married her fathers pri-
vate secretary, Samuel L. Gouver-
neur when she was not yet 16 years
Of age.
jackson Saddened.
His first Christmas at the White
House was saddened for Andrew
jackson by the recent death Of his
Evening star., 1939-12-24
Bv Herbert HoHander.

y OStt "a Oss"Se~SSs
Ever since the days of George
Washington, Presidents of the United
States and their families have cele-
orated the Christmas holiday at their
own hearthsides, and since the
time of John Adams the White
House has been the scene Of yuletide
festivities.
Now, as in the past, presidential
Christmas is that of typical Amer
lean family. The White House, in
it's quiet simplicity, affords perfect
setting for just such yuletide scenes
as transpire in countless homes
throughout the land, and the warmth
and color and friendly spirit of the
season there find full expression.
Its stately entrance flanked by two
large frs festooned with vari-colored
lights, its immaculate walls cleaning
in the bright moonlight, its windows
radiating the glowing atmosphere
of the season, and all in a natural
setting of ancient trees and spread
ing lawns, the White House on
Christmas Eve presents an unfor-
gettable picture.
Since it first became the home of
the Presidents, in the administration
of John Adams, the White House
has witnessed many forms of Christ
mas observance because of chang
ing customs and, perhaps more i'm
portantly, because of the varied
composition of the successive house
holds.
George Washington never lived
in the White House, but his cele-
bration of Christmas was in the
spacious Virginian manner. Both
during his term of Office and at
!. Mount Vernon he was an OPEN
Evening star., 1939-12-24

season cordially, and Mrs. McKin-
ley, an invalid. spent much time
knitting for the children of others
at the Yuletide. But the Christmas
quiet of the White House during the
Mckinley administration was only
the lull before the storm of the
Theodore Roosevelts-and what a
merry, boisterous storm it was
Juvenile High Jinks.
Christmas was the signal for a
flood Of parties; and each of the
Roosevelt clan had his own crowd.
Juvenile high jinks-that's what
they called EN- in those day-were
quite unrestrained. and T. R., of
course, entered into the spirit of
things with glee and vigor that
even the youngest found hard to
keep up with. But Mrs. Roosevelt
was insistent that the surprise ele-
ment in connection with the FAM
ily's gifts be held inviolate until
Christmas morning, so that all of
them were carefully stored in one
huge room to which only she and
one maid had the keys.
For two years T. R. would not
sanction a Christmas tree in the
White House. That was because
of his great devotion to the cause
OF conservation. However, one year
Archie and Quentin-the latter was
to die a hero's death in France in
the World War-smuggled one in
and trimmed it in Archie's room.
Later, when Clifford Pinchot. the
conservation leader, told the Presi-
dent that the supervised cutting
OF Christmas green's did not menace
the future of forests, T. R. permitted
Christmas trees. which each year
(See WHITE HOUSE Page R-6)
Evening star., 1939-12-24

wife, the beloved Rachel, who was
so shamefully maligned by his enc
mics that the ordeal brought on
her death. But the children of his
adopted son, of Francis Preston
Blair and of the Donelsons made
every effort to dispel his melan-
choly. The youngsters insisted that
the stern but warm-hearted gen.
eral and President hang up his
stocking. In the morning his Sec
retary entered the room to find Old
Hickory's eyes streaming as he
viewed the corncob pipe, tobacco
and trinkets which the children
had left in their collective role Of
Santa Claus.
The youngsters were rewarded for
their thoughtfulness by an old
fashioned Christmas feast. While
it was going on some were puzzled
by the huge pile of starch-covered
snow balls" that occupied the CEN
ter of the table. But their wonder
ment was ended when the Presi-
dent, after all had eaten their fill,
invited his guests to fill their arms
with this ammunition and to pro-
ceed to the rose room. There en-
sued hard-fought SNOWFALL battle,
and among the most active partici-
pants were the President himself
and none other than his elegant,
dandified Vice President, Martin
Van Buren,.
Another among the earlier Presi-
dents who thoroughly enjoyed Or
ganizing merry times for the young
er members of the family was John
Tyler, who forsook the cares of
state long enough to direct yule-
tide fancy dress ball for his 12-year-
old daughter Alice. She was the
belle of the ball in the costume of
Evening star., 1939-12-24

Titania. Many of the Tyler clan
were present, including the Presi-
dents son Tazewell and cousins,
nieces and nephews.
Story of Reception.
Typical of the journalism of those
times, which permitted the beaver
hated and frock-coated correspond
ents very wide latitude in writing
their personal reactions to person.
ages and events (almost as wide q
latitude as "cafe society" reporters
have taken today, is an 1847 news
paper account of a Christmas re-
ception at the White House during
the administration of President
James K. Polk.
Last evening"" this observant
scribe wrote, Il had an opportunity
Of seeing the members of the royal
family, together with some choice
specimens of the democracy, in the
circular room of the White House.
It was the Christmas reception, and
the latchstring in the shape of q
handsome Negro was outside the
door, On entering, I found a COM
Portable roomful with a little man,
who would have been taken in any
other place for a Methodist parson.
standing before the fire, bowling and
shaking hands in the most precise
and indiscriminate manner. He is
affable and ordinary enough in con-
versation to prevent one from feel
ing that he is in direct commune
cation with the majesty of the whole
United States and Territories. Mr..
Polk is not a man to inspire awe.
"The better half of the President
was seated on the sofa, engaged
with some half dozen ladies in lively
conversation, and though Ill and
clumsy at millinery, yet will try to
Evening star., 1939-12-24

do to support themselves. From
February to August, 1920, he placed
lis blind men and women in Cleve-
land factories.
There followed eight years of
similar work for an organization for
the blind in Youngstown, Ohio, dur
ing part of which time he studied
law at night. He was admitted to
the Ohio bar in 1925. Two years
later, he was called to Canada.
In Toronto, Mr. Chunk was made
national supervisor of employment
of the Canadian National Institute
for the Blind. He says it is one OF
the finest institutions Of its kind
in the world. During his nine-year
stay in Canada, he learned many
Evening star., 1939-12-24

limited only by his mentality and
energy. not by his physical imper-
fections. The factors that limit en-
ployment of the blind exist only in
the minds of prospective employers "
Upon this preface Mr. Chunk bases
his method of procedure,
In Washington he has laid the
groundwork in a few short months
for a program of rehabilitating the
blind which appears destined to sur
pass all previous undertakings in
the same field. Almost by pure
chance. he was brought here.
Eight years ago, while he was
still working for the Canadian blind
Evening star., 1939-12-24

are always coddling the sightless
and treating them with a distant
pity"
That is the worst possible thing to
do, he says. I'VE want only the
chance to prove our usefulness to
the people who can provide employ
ment. Mans field of opportunity 10
Evening star., 1939-12-24

things about the rehabilitation of
blind persons.
No Excuse for Failure.
''The greatest problem" he says,
sis selling blind labor on a strictly
competitive basis. There must be no
excuse for failure. The trouble with
most people who can see is that they
Evening star., 1939-03-04
Moral Rearmament
Urqed in Lenten Talk

Support in the United States of
moral rearmament as vital factor
in the battle for world peace was
urged yesterday by the Rev. Samuel
M. Shoemaker of New York City.
DR.. Shoemaker's talk was deliv-
cred as a noon-day Lenten sermon
at Epiphany Church. 1919 G street
NV. His was the fifth and last in
a series of talks on moral rearma-
ment.
Citing the progress of the move
ment in other countries. DR.. Shoe
maker told of the profound effect
and the growth of hope and under
standing observed in Canada. and
in Denmark and Holland, where
tens of thousands of people whose
convictions were fundamentally
Christian, welcomed a force that
could help to voice them and enact
them"
Appearance on billboards in
Great Britain of notices of NJ r. A.,
Moral Re-Armament, was cited as
the beginning of nations realiza-
ton that "its safety lies not alone
in military preparation and defense,
but in moral preparation, and a new
spirit throughout the world.
I'VE need everywhere" DR.. Shoe
maker asserted, mot only defense
for war. but an offense for peace"
Evening star., 1939-03-04
By LILLIAN cox ATHEY.

Many who have seen the snow
plant are amazed that it is bright
red and does not come with the
snow or even predict snowy wealth
er. 1t is to be found in the CO.
niferous forests in the higher noun
tains from the Siskiyous to Lower
California.
Records reveal that the snow
plant was brought from the valley
of the Sacramento by Fremont. The
exact spot from which it was re-
moved is not mentioned. 1t is be-
lieved that it was found on the
Yuba River, in the moist ground
where the soil was especially rich
with debris piled up year after year.
1t is a most arresting flower be-
cause of it's fiery red color. When
you first see it flaming in the sun,
you are sure a fire is raging.
When found in the forest, where
its brilliant color attracts instant
attention, it's beauty and unusual
shade are doubly appreciated.
Springing from the Uttered car
p6G VI ledNcS w NC Aouiio VII WIZ
forest floor, the name snow plant"
seems ir the main quite inappro-
pirate.
Blooming Time.
The plant is in bloom in early
spring and summer. 1t is true that
on rare occasions it has been COW
cred with a light blanket of snow,
and perhaps some one coming along
at this time, seeing the beautiful
red plant standing so gallantly In
it's snowy surroundings, felt that
this name was fitting.
The plant belongs to the heath
family, ana there are about six
members known to California. Its
roots do not come in touch with
the soil at all Rather, the plant
grows more like fungus and 1t
sends out thousands of f1laments
that form a mat of microscopic
fungus. Whether the host be dead
leaves or rotting wood, the snow
plant takes from it whatever is
needed, and strange to say, the
plant may be bright red, brown,
yellow or white.
There are no green leaves. The
roots are also replaced by root hairs
that spread over the surface OF
Evening star., 1939-03-04
$4,000 Damages Ordered
In Traffic Accident Case

A judgment for $8,000-one Of the
highest entered in District Court as
an outgrowth of a traffic accident
case-was on the records of the
tribunal today. as the result of the
action of Justice Peyton Gordon.
The jurist set aside judgment
for $4,000, which the jury had
found in favor of Martin S. Hof
1904 F. street NV. against the Elite
Laundry Co., 2l19 Fourteenth street
NV. Mr.. Hoff. who told the court
he was crossing Columbia road
NV. at Ontario road September
II, 1885, contended that through the
negligence of the laundry firm he
received severe injuries. These
included lacerations to the neck.
face and head, as result of which
he suffered chokings and swellings
of the throat: he lost his upper and
lower plates of false teeth, suffered
fractured right shoulder, bruised
skull and other injuries. he said
Representing the plaintiff are At
torneys Mabel Benson Sakis and
H. L. Mccormick.
Evening star., 1939-03-04

nations satisfied come and that
the democracies would probably
The Presidents objective
surrender of the dmocraces with
they entail.
HE had two ways to about it," it said
do something real for the democace
Fascist nations that he going something real
almost good as the other"
The something real"
riskng American involvement foreign conflict
opinion all along has been country permitted
the democacies
at the the barrehead the
goods danger serious
almost Undoubtedly President did
and actually hnted that would wise his
Congress the state of the Union.
unfortunately
mans debate An effort the Neutrality certainly
have meant inemnabe debate and the public
that eventual defeat possibility
the President
that he something rea creating
atmosphere of
This he proceeded to do series of Incidents
which the recall of the Ambassador Berlin
Wilson: the singing reply the
of the Interior Harold
presidential speeches statements perhaps the
portant If the optimistic affairs
test the atmosphere has really produced desired
policy of peculiarly
further
into his hands the President
old White House
where Deal polcy-making
The truth that William c. Bul the brilliant
Aroloe Davis
Evening star., 1939-03-04
$8,824 Is Reported
In BOYS Club Drive

A total of $8.s2450 in contribu-
tions to the Metropolitan Police
Boys Clubs was reported by team
captains for the Embarrassing cam
paign at pep" luncheon yesterday
in the Cosmos Club. A sum of
s75 900 is being sought to make pos
sible maintenance of the clubs and
summer camp at Scotland, Md, for
another year.
/. Gordon Leech. campaign di-
rector. substituted as presiding off,
Ger for Brig. Gen. Albert L. Cox,
general chairman of the drive, who
was injured last Monday night in
an automobile accident. Mr.. Leech
introduced the Rev. James Sheehan
of Catholic Charities and Mary
Mason, home economist of the Ma
tional Broadcasting Co.
A motion picture showing activi-
ties at the clubs camp was shown
by Maj. Ernest w. Brown, superin-
tendent Of police and founder of the
clubs.
Another report luncheon is sched-
uled for Tuesday at the Cosmos
Club.
Evening star., 1939-03-04

faltering crow-hop. At 50 he rounds
out % years of flying, as Maj. Gen.
Arnold, chief of the Army Air Corps
at time when the problem of the
Nations actual or necessary air
strength hits more front pages than
it ever did before He is natural
congressional contact as the legis-
lators ponder an air program, in
the light OF what is and what
may be-
Critics of our fighting forces have
held that Army discipline was so
rigid that it developed only "yes
men" That doesn't fit Gen. Arnold.
He has been conspicuous no
man." officially raped. on the
knuckles in 1926 for his blunt de-
fense of Maj Gen, Nelson M. Pat
rick in the latter's argument with
his superiors over his recommended
ton for drastic changes in the Air
Corps organization.
He is a native of Pennsylvania
and a West Pointer, assigned to
the Wright Aviation School at Day.
ton, Ohio. in 1911. One of his no.
table exploits was his brilliant lead
ership of the great mass flight into
Alaska, on an air survey of noun
tain ranges against some hair-rais-
ing hazards In 1912 he was the
first flyer to use radio to report OBJ
servations. and it was in that year
that he predicted airplanes would
become the dominant and decisive
weapons in warfare
He was named chief of the Air
Corps September 20, 1888. AS he
has moved through higher COM
mands he has revealed high ad-
ministrative ability. His combina-
ton of technical and flying skill
with the requirements of organiza-
ton and command is regarded as a
fortunate blend at time when his
command becomes matter of seri-
Gus national concern. Most of his
flying experience has been in the
West.
(Copyright, l939J
Evening star., 1939-03-04
Ambassador Johnson
Louds Navy Unit in China

United States Ambassador to
China Nelson T. Johnson, who re-
turned to this country from China
about month ago, pays high COM
pliments to the efficiency Of the
United States Navy in Chinese wa
ters in letter to Secretary of State
Hull made public today by the Navy
Department.
personally and officially I have
been extremely proud of the loyal,
manly and gallant way in which the
officers and men of the United
States Navy have performed their
duties and met situations during
these trying months when every Of
ficer and man wearing the uniform
of the United States Navy and Ma
rine Corps has been a representative
of the United States and its ideals" ;"
the letter says.
Evening star., 1939-03-04
Navy Awards
Contracts of $50, 900

Awards of contracts were an
nounced by the Navy Department
today.
The Carnegie Illinois Steel Corp
has been awarded two contracts
one for shapes and steel tosaling
2810880 and another for steel.
plates, sheets and strips totaling
s350,00O The Westinghouse Electric
and Manufacturing Co. has been
awarded contract for machining
steel base rings totaling $4,000, it
was announced
The contracts are among several
totaling more than $4,000 for steel
and shipbuilding material.
Evening star., 1939-03-04
Luncheon Scheduled
For Dental Clinic

A luncheon sponsored by the
Dental Hygienists' Association at
the Mayflower Hotel at 1890 pm.
Monday will be one of the features
of the seventh annual fve-State
postgraduate clinic, which Is to
open tomorrow.
Guests of honor at the luncheon
will include Dr. Harvey J. Burke
hart, head of the Eastman Clinic
at Rochester N. Y, and past presi-
dent of the American Dental Asso-
citation. DR.. C. Willard Camalier,
past president of the American
Eental Association: DR.. James w.
Brown. president of the District of
Columbia Dental Society. under
whose auspices the clinic is to be
held. and Gen. L. c. Fairbank, as
sistant to the surgeon general and
commatier of the Army Dental
Corps.
The Hygienists' Association. unde-
the leadership of Miss Eleanor
Dodd, president, will present 13
clinics, covering every phase of Office
procedure.
Evening star., 1939-03-04
The Political Mill
Roosevelt Returns to Find Anti-Spenders
Lining Up for Aid-Business Action

terested in dam sites. Republican
and Democratic alike, lined up with
the administration forces to put this
appropriation back In the bill, and
the House finally yielded to the
Senate. The Republican leader of
the Senate. Mr.. McNary of Oregon,
was one of those voting to restore
this item.
1t is the contention of Senator
Harrison and others who believe as
he does that there must be a cur
tailment of Government deficit
spending If there is to be any res
toration of business confidence, SO
necessary to recovery. If there is
to be no curtailment,. then, Mr..
Harrison is prepared to demand the
enactment of new taxes, and taxes
would tend to still further lessen the
hold of the New Deal on the coun-
try. This Congress already is about
to put through new and additional
five hundred million dollar national
defense program. The President
originally indicated that this ex-
penditure should be financed by
new revenue. But more recently he
has said there will be no new taxes
levied at this session of Congress.
If not. the deficit next year is likely
to be bigger than ever. Unless. in
deed, Mr.. Harrison and his friends
really succeed in making large ap-
preparation cuts.
One thing seems clear, the senti-
ment in Congress today is against
new spending, no matter how wor-
thy the objectives of administration
proposal may be, outside of the in
creased appropriations for national
defense. The spenders and the ants
are likely to engage in series of
major battles during the next two
or three months.
Evening star., 1939-03-04

ing anxiouy his first encyclcal which, peVe WI" nave
world wide repercuSsions.
The French foreign Office danger 1t believes that IN the
the dctao Will put their caros on
territorial expense OF
countries which control at the present
large supplies of materials
Foreign Minister Bonnet reported have sent unoca ennis
whispered the capital of the
what concessions he may offer with
a being accepted.
Although foreign offices reported
of a which
the have-not the general
uncompromsingy opposed to weak policy
Reports which reached Washington from Americas
Diplomatic the principal European capitals
indicate cabinet that of Cham
survive they decide to give In to the
OF their respective empires rlencn
mood OF the country Is decldedy
opposed concessions The British public opn
control over its representatives in the
House American people have over their
definitely opposed yedng
City, whence Chamberlain draws his lnp
in opposed giving up shces
of the British Empire the sake of Europes appeasemen
that diplomatic quarters look win oep
the few weeks TIE quiet
world conflict over is
ull before the real heavy storm breaks out
diplomatic quarters Minister
visit Rbbentrop paid him in
At that time the foreign ministers signed
regarding
between regarding
colonial possessions Africa Rbbenrop sblne
for Aace Lorraine' That
of Htes &c. the French began
der what Ribbentrop actually meant
appointment the s2yeaod Field Marshal Petain
future relations with Spain.
much work He attends occasionally the session OF
Evening star., 1939-03-04

stantial number
of members OF
Congress and the
recent blow lev
elled by the Su-
preme Cor>'t at
the N a t / o n a !
Labor Relations
Board. He will
be expected, in
many quarters;
to tell Congress
and the country
what he intends
to do to imple-
ment the prom
ises made by the
now Cocrat,arv Of
Evening star., 1939-03-04

record of 6,54O
I e e t. In the
S a m e year he
h a n d rode an
elaborate chain
and d-sprocket job
80 miles around
w a S h i n g ton,
which brought
him great re-
noWn. He has
been the ride
'em, cowboy" of
the air and has
come all the way
up with the air.
plane, from the
day of it's hrst
Evening star., 1939-03-04

ment, a I'm o S t
feverish in its
in t e n S / t y, to
bring about a
real understand
ing b e t W e e n
Government and
business. There
Is no readiness
10 repeal reform
m e a su r e S but
every readiness
to correct them.
On the foreign
side Is a picture
of incalculable
significance. The
g on q + q O n RI