Evening star., 1940-12-26
D. {. Continues
Gay Christmas
Celebrations
White House Tree
With Simple Trim
On Public Display

Holiday gayety continued through
the city today as Washington looked
back on one of its most bountiful
and joyous Christmas days, cele-
brated yesterday in homes, churches
and public institutions.
The White House Christmas tree
in the East Room of the Executive
Mansion was on public display to-
day after serving as rallying place
yesterday for the Roosevelt family
and their holiday guests.
Dance for Miss Morgenthau.
Trimmed simply with imitation
snow, white streamers and white
lights, the big tree will be an i'm
portant part of the rooms decora-
tions tonight for a young peoples
dance in honor of Joan Morgenthau,
daughter of the Secretary of the
Treasury.
Yesterday it shared attention with
smaller family tree on the second
floor as members of the Roosevelt
family and their guests exchanged
presents and spent quietly pleasant
holiday.
Among those spending the day
there, in addition to the President
and Mrs. Roosevelt, were Mrs. Sara
Delano Roosevelt, the Presidents
mother; Mrs. j. R. Roosevelt, his
sister, -in-law; Mr.. and Mrs. Frank
lin D. Roosevelt. jr., and their son,
Franklin III; Harry Hopkins and
his daughter Diana and Harry
Hooker, an old friend of the Presi-
| dent.
Royal Children at Dinner.
The three children of Crown
Prince Olav and Princess Martha
of Norway-Ranghild, 10; Astrl, g.,
and Harald, 3-were last-minute
guests at the White House, and re-
manned for a turkey dinner served
by their host, the President.
Presents for the children were
distributed early in the day. Then,
after the President and members of
the family had attended services at
the First Congregational Church.
White House telephone connections
were made with other members of
the family throughout the country:
Mr.. and Mrs. John Boettiger in
Seattle, James Roosevelt in Los An
geles, Mr.. and Mrs. Elliott Roosevelt
in Fort Worth, Mr. and Mrs. John
Roosevelt in Boston.
Few persons, if any, in the District
went without some form of cheer
yesterday as the more fortunate
joined in giving to the under
privileged. Newspapers, radio sta
tions, theaters and numerous char
liable organizations aided in dis
tributing Christmas baskets, gifts
and funds to the poor.
The Central Union Mission, the
Salvation Army, the Gospel Mission
and the Volunteers of America served
Christmas dinners for more than
1000 men, women and children. A
special dinner also was served in
mates of the District Jail
Burton G Cowles, superintendent
of the dead letter Office, also looked
back on a record. To his Office in
the Post Office Department went
the many thousands of letters to
Santa Claus and from there they
were sent to charitable groups
anxious to assist many of the
Senders.
Christmas Mail Up 10 Per Cent.
The local post Offices reported a 10
per cent increase over 1899 in the
amount of mail handled. always a
good barometer of Christmas sue
cess
AS one of the post Christmas
events, the Golden Rule Council, No
10, Daughters of America, will hold
its annual Christmas party at 7:30
pm. tomorrow at the Northeast Ma
sonic Temple, Eighth and F streets
NE.
Special entertainment for chill
dren of the organization will be
staged and carols will be sung.
The American Rescue Workers,
Inc, emergency home for women
and children, at 7:30 o'clock tonight
will give Christmas party in its
quarters, Alb Fourth street NV.
The alumni association of the
Sidwell Friends School will hold its
annual Christmas tea beginning at
4:30 pm. Saturday, at 1901 Wiscon-
sin avenue NV.