Evening star., 1941-12-21
Washington Planning
Record breaking
YuIe Celebration
Travel Exceeds All
Precedents Despite
War Conditions


Railroads, bus lines and air lines
reported yesterday they were having
q business which exceeded anything
ever known. Crowds packed in
stores during the last Saturday
afternoon before Christmas to do
business which equalled, and per-
haps surpassed, that of any other
year.
Charitable and social organiza-
tions were making their plans for
numerous activities during the week.
The travel situation, it was re-
ported. staggered the Imagination.
All airplane facilities in and out of
Washington were reported booked
solid for weeks ahead. John Groves,
airport manager, said that volume
Of business there was breaking all
records.
Biggest Business In History.
The Baltimore e. Ohio Railroad
said that, in spite of the sharp
curtailment of furloughs for service
men and in spite of the cancellation
of the usual long holiday for
Federal workers, it was doing the
biggest business in it's history.
The travel on this railroad be-
tween December 18 and December
% is expected to be greater than
for any single period. On Friday,
the Capitol Limited, from Wash
ington to Chicago, carried 1900 per-
sons in two extra Sections-which
the company said was "unpre-
cedented"
Pennsylvania railroad officials
said that they had no figures avail
able, but that their business so far
indicated clearly that travel this
year would surpass any previously
known. Union Station and ticket
Offices elsewhere in town were
thronged.
The rush for Christmas trees and
other holiday appurtenanceS was
on. President Roosevelt received his
first Christmas tree Of the season.
from Maine.
Senator Brewster. Republican. OF
Maine, presented the tree to Mr.
Roosevelt on behalf Of the citizens
of Maine. In a note accompanying
the 12-foot black spruce, Senator
Brewster said he hoped it would
serve as "a symbol of our faith
in the American way Of life.
Usual Programs Here.
Mrs. Roosevelt planned to play
her usual part in the city's Christ
mas observance, by participating in
the celebrations to be held at chari-
table institutions.
Mrs. Roosevelt and the Rt. Rev.
James e. Freeman, Bishop OF WASH
ington. will be the principal speak
ers at the annual Salvation Army
Christmas party at the Army head
quarters, 6O6 E street NV, at 2 pm.
tomorrow.
The invocation and benediction
will be pronounced by the Rev. DR..
Oscar F.. Blackwelder, pastor of the
Lutheran Church of the Reforma-
ton, and the Rev James Shera
Montgomery, chaplain of the House
of Representatives, respectively.
Major James A. Longino, divisional
commander of the Salvation Army,
will preside.
Music will be furnished by the
Navy Band Orchestra and the Sun
beam Choir.
Following the program, Mrs.
Roosevelt will present the first bum
die of toys to child.
On Wednesday, the President s
wife will be special guest at the
Central Union Missions Christmas
party at the Capitol Theater at $50
am. Homer Rodeheaver, the evan
gelist. will be the Santa Claus of the
party and music will be furnished by
the Marine Band.
Turkey Given for Feast.
Mrs. Jean Bennett director of the
mission, announced that a turkey
dinner will be served 400 needy
men at the mission this year. An
anonymous friend donated 225
pounds of turkey for the Christmas
feast.
Mrs. Bennett said that the Pilot
Club, a local civic organization, had
sent the children of the mission
AZ dolls. The Children's Emergency
Home is one of the missions regu-
lar departments. Miss Lois White,
president of the Pilot Club, made
arrangements for the dolls.
Another benefit party for the chill
dren of the mission will be given
by the Arthur Murray Studio of
Dancing tomorrow afternoon from
4:30 to 7:30 o'clock
Mrs. Roosevelt will appear at the
sixth annual Christmas party for
children sponsored by the Arlington
County Kiwanis Club at $50 am
Wednesday in the Arlington Thea
ter The party is not open to the
public and is being staged by the
club for children who would other
wise have no Christmas celebration
Barney House Program.
At Barney Neighborhood House
n SlOWu vi dUcuC ~ IVY
and girls held party that included
carols, gs<nes, refreshments and
gifts. Carolers from the settlement
will be among those who will join
in the singing at 4:30 pm tomorrow
In the Library Of Congress- Other
events scheduled at Barney Houst
this week are a party at $3.50 pm
Tuesday for children between 8 ano
II. Christmas Day will be oper
house with distribution Of basket.
and other gifts going on all day.
An outdoor presentation Of the
Nativity will highlight the children
program of Christ Child Settlement
at $50 pm. Tuesday. Children
from this settlement will join il
the Library of Congress caroling.
twenty-five boys and girls o
Friendship House decorated thu
house yesterday afternoon. 4
Christmas play, glee club selec
tions and group singing will be helt
this afternoon from $3.50 to o'clock
Tomorrow a party will be held TO
nursery school children and thei
parents at 6 pm, and a dancing
class recital will be held at 7:30 pm
A ~Neighbors' Night" party Is sched