Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1939-12-26
Capital Settles
Into Post-Yu|e
Routine
Trains and Planes
Are damned With
Returning Workers

W. Ss sssssS w SsNSiS
The city settled reluctantly into
the groove of everyday business to-
day after frolicking through one OF
the happiest holidays Washington
has even known.
The flush and excitement Of
Christmas was over and the thou
sands Of Government workers, many
of whom left the city over the week
end. poured into Federal buildings,
clerks and officials of stores made
their way downtown for the annual
business letdown after a record
breaking Christmas rush, and even
children were getting used to the
offerings Of the 1899 Santa Claus.
At that, however, uncounted
hundreds of Government workers,
taking advantage of annual leave
for week-long vacation, remained
away from the city. Estimates Of
the number of absentees ranged
from 10 per cent at the Navy De-
partment to 80 per cent at the Com
merce Department.
It was business as usual today for
President Roosevelt, but the re.
union of his family continued hap.
PLY at the White House.
Several Parties Planned.
Several parties we're in store for
the grandchildren paying their an
nual Christmas visit and the adults,
too, had their share Of social rounds
to make. Mrs. Roosevelt and her
daughter, Mrs. John Boettiger Of
Seattle, were to be guests of honor
at luncheon at the Headwater
Farms estate of Secretary of In
terror Harold 1ckes at Olney, Nd,
with Mrs. Ickes as the hostess. :,
Seventeen-months-o1d Franklin D.
Roosevelt, Sd, and nine months-old
John Roosevelt Boettiger became
better acquainted as they mutually
admired gifts received in their stock
ings at the White House yesterday.
When they saw each other for the
first time Friday, both cried, but
after experiencing the Yuletide cele-
bration together, they shared the
Presidents lap without even
glover.
For transportation companies in
the city, it was the record breaking
traffic of Friday and Saturday in
reverse today. Planes gliding into
the airport and trains pulling in at
Union Station were loaded to capac-
ity last night and this morning with
local workers who had spent their
Christmas holiday elsewhere.
Telephone Lines Busy.
The telephone company was check
ing on what was believed to be the
busiest long distance" day In his
tory. One official said it probably
would take week to count the
calls" make to out-of-town points
yesterday.
Lines to other cities hummed con-
tinuously from early morning to
late last night and at midday the
waiting list for lines to major cities
on the Eastern Seaboard was un-
precedented
President Roosevelt and his FAM
lily led the city at worship yesterday,
attending special inter-denomina-
tional services at the Covenant
First Presbyterian Church
Thousands during the day visited
the national Christmas tree which
the President lighted at the Elipse
Christmas Eve, and the crowds in
creased last night.
Missions Are Crowded.
The poor and underprivileged had
their Christmas cheer, too With
children of needy families through
out the city enjoying presents, made
possible through the generosity Of
Washingtonians more fortunate than
they, about 900 destitute men gath
cred at the Central Union Mission
for warm meals. They ate their fill
and then sang hymns, led by Homer
Rodeheaver, who later made radio
appeal for overcoats for some of the
men. More than IS coats were re-
ceived at the mission within a half
hour after the broadcast.
The Volunteers of America fed at
least 400 and similar offerings,
though on smaller scale. we're
made the poor by other organiza-
tions in the city.
At least "a families received par
ticularly fine presents from Santa
yesterday. That was approximately
the number of babies born at hos
pitfalls.
The first arrival was husky boy
u pounds ounces-the son of Mr..
and Mrs. Bert Mcdonald, 1923 Six
tenth street Sc. He was born at
1894 am. at Providence Hospital.
Christmas cheer was spread
through all the hospitals of the city,
most of which had gayly decorated
trees on all floors. Presents were
distributed and for those we'll
enough, Christmas dinners we're
served
Chicken Dinner at Lorton.
Sixteen hundred inmates at Ior-
ton Reformatory were given chicken
dinners with all the trimmings.
They later received cigarettes and
candy after seeing motion picture.
The 1900 prisoners at Occoquan
workhouse also enjoyed a chicken
dinner and a movie.
In true holiday spirit, 20 women
and two men sat down to Christ
mas dinner at q special table in the
center of the main ballroom at the
Shoreham Hotel. They were this
years members Of the Strangers
Club started four years ago by DR..
Grace Thompson for those who
otherwise would spend q Washing
ton holiday alone. The hostess
yesterday was Mrs. Kathryn Elliott
Of 1907 Newton street NV, who
was a stranger here herself two
years ago.
The men were AL Houser, who
has attended q number of the par
ties, and Carl Straud of the Chi
cago Tribune. The dinners are held
three times year-Christmas, Eas-
ter and Thanksgiving.