Evening star., 1943-12-24
Mrs. Roosevelt Puts
In Busy Day Before
Visit 10 Hyde Park
Attends Salvation Army
Porty and Brings YuIe
Greeting to Alley Folk

Mrs. Roosevelt is spending Christ.
mas eve with the President at Hyde
Park today after combining In one
day yesterday activities she usually
spreads over two days before Christ.
mas.
She gave the first Christmas
check at the annual Salvation Army
party in the afternoon, brought
Christmas greetings tp an alley
party given day earlier than usual
by the Washington Council Of
Church Women, and appeared in the
evening at a dance given for serv-
icemen at Almas Temple by the Wal
Hospitality Committee. She also
assisted the President in presenting
gifts to the White House office and
household stats, usually entertained
by the presidential couple on Christ
mas eve.
1T is hard to say Merry Christ
mas this year." Mrs. Roosevelt told
the group assembled at the Saliva
ton Army.
But each of us, as we live, work
and pray through our years Of war =
she said, "can be building for the
future when we hope that our Ma
ton will lead other nations into
peace"
Tribute to Late Bishop.
Mrs. Roosevelt paid tribute to the
late Right Rev. James E. Freeman,
Bishop of Washington, who last year
and for many years attended the
annual party. The Rev. Charles w.
Sheerin, pastor Of the Epiphany
Church, where Bishop Freeman was
once rector, added that If the
clergyman could speak again to the
group, he probably would urge them
not to be too pessimistic nor to for
get that there had always been evil
to conquer in the world every year
since Christmas began.
Beside the speakers stand was
a huge tree, surrounded by boxes
Of toys, candy, fruit and articles
Of clothing. Mrs. Roosevelt pre-
sented the first box to Henry Yuen,
years old, and the first check-$9
to buy Christmas dinner - to his
Mrs. Suey Yuen. Mrs. Yuen
has five other children, two of
whom, George. II. and Abby,
accompanied her.
The Rev. John w. Rustin pro-
the invocation and DR..
Frederick Brown Harris, chaplain
of the Senate, the benediction. The
Rev. William Wright read the scrip
ture. Maj. James A. Longino, di-
vision commander, led the au-
dience in singing carols.
New Board Members.
Three new members of the ad-
visory board were introduced by the
chairman and presiding officer, Brig
Gen. Albert L. Cox. They were Maj
Ernest w. Brown, J. Edwards Bur-
roughs and Charles F. Wilson.
The Rev. F. M. Mansell pastor
Of the Central Presbyterian Church,
told the Christmas story to so chill
dren assembled around a tree In
Huntoon court. Fourth and N street
S.W. Their presents and those of
about 1000 other children in rs
alleys had been given earlier by
the Washington Council of Church
Women to be opened by each family
tomorrow. Mrs. Roosevelt walked
from her car into the alley to ex-
press the wish that next Christmas
nav COO "paora m oortb oool will
toward men"
While speaking. Mrs. Roosevelt
noticed small girl, barelegged and
wearing torn coat. AS she left.
she asked the neighborhood police
man for the child's name and mur-
that she would get her some
new clothes during the holidays.
More than 500 service men and
women attended the War Hospi-
tality Committee dance in the Almas
Temple. Mrs. Roosevelt wished
them O "ho pyo1, Cbrictr,oep