Evening star., 1943-01-01
public but Cancelled their usual New

public but Cancelled their usual New
Year programs because Of the war.
At the Troika, Uncle Sam hats
were distributed as favors to the
merrymakers.
All hotels reported capacity crowds.
The willard held three separate
dances, and at the Shoreham two
large bathrooms were filled. Hotel
and night club managers said their
crowds were as gay as in previous
years, but the merrymaking was
more subdued.
1,400 at Canteen.
DR.. Archie D. Engel, manager of
the Stage Door Canteen, said an es-
timated 1,400 soldiers, sailors and
marines attended the program there
at some time during the evening.
Other parties for servicemen were
held at USO clubs and other various
places throughout the city. Mrs.
Evalyn Walsh Mclean entertained
at a private party about 20 service
men selected by lot from among
recent visitors to the Stage Door
Canteen.
It was estimated that 10000 SOL
diers, sailors, marines and war
workers were to participate in USO
club activities last night and today.
Dances were held last night at the
Central YMCA, the Seventeenth
Street YWCA, the National Cath
olic Community Service, st. Pat
rick's School Hall and the Jewish
Community Center.
Colored servicemen and war work
ers were entertained at a dance
from midnight to am. in the
USO club at the YMCA at 1912
Twelfth street NV.
Theaters Crowded.
Downtown theater managers re-
ported a complete sell-out early in
the evening. BY the midnight hour,
they said they were selling stand
ing room only"
Fred j. Thomas, manager Of the
Earle, said patrons brought their
own streamers, but it was "an easy
crowd to handle"
Midnight shows were also held at
the Capitol and several other local
theaters.
Many celebrities participated in
the evenings festivities.
At the Shoreham party included
Senator and Mrs. Tom Connally,
Maj. Gen and Mrs. A. D. Surels and
Genevieve Tobin. screen star.
Among notables at the Carlton
Hotel Cosmos Room were Mr.. and
Mrs. Ed Mclean and party of six
and Prince Hohenlohe of Poland
son-in-law Of Ambassador Anthony
Biddle.
Dan Topping, wealthy sportsman
and husband of Sonia Henie, was
at the Mayf1ower.
Several diplomatic parties were
held at the Shoreham, the Troika
and the Willard. c. T. Elbo, presi-
dent Of the Filipino Executive Coun-
Gil OF Washington, said that the af-
fair held by his compatriots at the
Willard Hotel was just "a momen-
tary relaxation" and that all present
prayed for resounding victory for the
Allies and the day the Japs would
be driven from their homeland.
youths Have Last Fling"
An unusually large number ot
teen-age youths were among the
celebrants, particularly at the Ward
man Park and Willard Hotels. Pau
Lauder, 18, of II Seaton place, NV.
a graduate of Mckinley High School
symbolized the spirit of the younger
group. He said he was having his
last fling" before leaving for Par.
ris Island, S. c., to begin his boot
training.
Others on the streets when thu
new year officially began hac
thoughts more serious than those
customarily expressed by merry.
makers on New Year eve. One Arm,
colonel, when queried as to wha
seemed most dear to him at tn,
moment 1943 made its first appear.
ance, declared that he had though,
most of ''how much my wife ane
children mean to me-"