Evening star., 1940-12-23
Capital Begins
lis Celebration
OF Christmas
Solemn Exercises
In Churches Mark
Opening Of Week

will climax with ceremonies on the
Ellipse at pm tomorrow when Pres
ident Roosevelt turns on the lights
of the Nations community tree and
delivers his Christmas message to
America by radio.
Shopping District Crowded.
While dozens of civic and char
liable organizations were busy with
preparations for celebrations during
the next three days, the downtown
shopping district was crowded with
throngs of shoppers, making last
minute preparations.
Trains, buses and planes were op-
Grating on extra schedules, trans
porting transient citizens to their
homes for the holidays-and in some
few cases bringing back to the city
that rare species, the Washington
native.
Mild weather marked the opening
of Christmas week yesterday and
appeared likely to continue The
Weather Bureau said that Christ
mas would be fair and warm. Rain
was forecast for ChristmaS>eve.
Programs for Soldiers.
The expanded military forces of
the Nation joined in this years
celebration on a large scale. At
Fort Myer, Fort Belvoir and Fort
Meade, the camps nearest WASH
ington, special Christmas programs
were planned.
Thousands Of soldiers and sailors
were travelling to their homes and
trains which moved through Wash
ington were crowded with men in
uniform. Many trains yesterday
were running behind schedule-be-
cause of extra sections which were
put on at the last minute.
Parties for Needy Children.
A series Of parties for under
privileged children had been ar
ranged in the District today. At
Emergency Hospital, children who
are dispensary patients were invited
to attend party at 3 o'clock this
afternoon.
At O'Clock, Opportunity House
had scheduled party at which
children of the neighborhood were
to receive gifts. The social service
center is located at 78 I street NV
The Northeast Rescue Mission
1340 H street NE, had invited more
than 100 children to a party at
O'Clock, where surprise packages
were to be distributed.
Other organizations were also be-
ginning their celebrations today
Three parties were scheduled in
branches of the Boys Club of Wash
ington. At 6 o'clock the George
town branch of the organization
had scheduled party at the club
house at Twenty eighth and Penn
sylvania avenue NV. Parties at
the central branch, 230 C street
NV, and the Southeast branch
Seventeenth and Massachusetts, ave-
nue. Sc, were to begin at the same
time.
Program at st. Vincent's.'
James E. Colliflower, president of
the Washington Board of Trade, will
be guest speaker at the community
tree celebration at 7:30 o'clock to-
night on the grounds of st. Vincent's s
Home and School, Fourth and Edge
wood streets NE, sponsored by the
Metropolis View Citizens Associa-
ton.
At 1:30 o'clock this afternoon the
colored corps of the Salvation Army
had scheduled party at 1901 Sew
enth street NV. Tonight at the
Salvation Army's Temple Corps
headquarters, 606 E street NV, a
Christmas play will be presented
and presents distributed to chill
dren.
The Police Boys Club of the
tenth precinct will hold its Christ
mas party at 7:3O o'clock tonight at
the club headquarters at Fifteenth
and Harvard streets NV.
Goodwill Industries Program.
The Goodwill Industries of WASH
ington will sponsor a program at its
headquarters, 1918 New Hampshire
avenue NV, at 8:15 o'clock tonight.
w. Harold Shape, director, will
read 1.-THE Other Wise Man"
Harry w. Howe will lead in the
singing of Christmas carols at Good
will Industry headquarters at 8:15
pm. tomorrow
More than 100 school children
from the Lee School, Arlington, Va,
wearing period costumes, trimmed
a tree and sang Christmas carols
at the Lee Mansion yesterday in a
celebration of the season as it was
observed a century ago.
DR.. Mordecai w. Johnson, presi-
dent of Howard University, who was
scheduled to speak yesterday at the
tree-lighting ceremony at the Ban
neker Junior High School, was un-
able to attend because of illness.
West End Citizens.
The West End Citizens Associa-
ton will sponsor a party at their
community tree, Twenty-first and
Pennsylvania avenue NV, at
o'clock tonight.
Lighting of a large sign, God
Bless America" will feature the an
nual Christmas celebration of the
Burroughs Citizens Association at
8 o'clock tonight. Two Christmas
trees will flank the sign, which is
located at Eighteenth and Newton
streets NE.
Mrs. Roosevelt will appear at sew
eral Christmas parties for the needy
tomorrow. She will distribute checks
and presents at the Salvation Army
party at 2 pm at COG E street NV.
Bishop James E. Freeman will Off
ciate.
Mrs. Roosevelt to Aid.
At pm, Mrs. Roosevelt will help
the Volunteers of America when
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