Evening star., 1944-12-24
Christmas
Continued From First Page.)

after each train and waited, hoping
to catch the next one. AS each train
was called, throngs from the waiting
room swept into the concourse.
carrying along toward the gates
many of those trying to get out. All
afternoon and far into the night,
people were packed solidly in front
OF the concourse gates 20 to 80 deep.
some having waited hours for their
trains.
Nearly all through trains arrived
an hour or more late. Outgoing
trains were delayed somewhat by the
crowds clamoring to board them. and
alsles of day coaches were choked
Pullman reservations were ex-
hausted two weeks ago.
Bus Terminal Also Packed.
The bus terminal presented a
similar scene, only on a smaller
scale. Extra buses were run on
many lines, but many would-be
travellers still were left behind.
The last shopping day found the
stores no more crowded than thev
have been during any recent day.
Several department stores reported
larger crowds Thursday night. An
official of one of the largest stores
said many people apparently took
seriously this year the advice to shop
early. Several stores reported no
last-minute rush. There was a
brisk business, however, up to the
closing hours for most of the stores.
The City Post Office and its
branches put in terrific day. and
deliveries of parcels arN letters will
be continued, with a final distribu-
ton tomorrow.
The thousands of servicemen who
are spending the Christmas week
end here found a hearty welcome
from the USO and from many other
organizations and individuals. The
War Hospitality Committee had
made more than 5000 beds available
for men in uniform. A number of
lodging centers will remain open
throughout Christmas eve There
were dances and all manner of
parties for soldiers and sailors.
President Speaks Today.
The 22d National Community
Christmas Tree celebration will be
held on the White House lawn at 4
pm. today and President Roosevelt
will deliver his annual Christmas
message at Sis pm.
Religious services begin with the
Christmas eve midnight masses in
the Catholic churches. The mass
at the National Shrine of the I'm
maculate Conception will be cele-
brated by the Rev. John Marie
Bursts, assisted by the friars of the
Atonement Seminary. The Rev
John j. Reilly, director of the shrine.
will preach the sermon. The SEM
marians will precede the mass
with a program of Christmas carols,
Another outstanding Catholic
service will be held tonight at the
Franciscan Monastery, 140O Quincy
street NE. Beginning at 10:45 pm,
there will be solemn mathis, fol-
lowed by midnight solemn high
mass, holy communion and a pro-
cession to the grotto of Bethlehem.
NO tickets are necessary; the public
Will be welcome. Brookland street.
cars will run until am. for the
benefit of those attending. On
christmas Day there will be low
masses at 6, 7, 8 and 9 am.
One OF the most impressive Prot
estant services will take place to-
night at Washington Cathedral
Massachusetts and Wisconsin ave-
nues NV. Known as the service OF
a thousand candles" the big edifice
will be Illuminated entirely by can
delight. Doors will be opened te
the public, without ticket, at 10:1s
pm. Carol singing will start at II
to be followed by the Christ mass
which includes reading of ths
Scriptures, and the holy supper. Al
the IL am. cathedral service or
Christmas Day the Right Rev. An.
gus Dun, Bishop of Washington
will preach.
Mass Tickets for Servicemen.
Tickets for midnight masses ant
Tor services at various Protestan
churches will be distributed to serv.
icemen at downtown servicemenl
cerlters. Seats have been reserved
Tor uniformed men and women.
'Ihe annual community service
sponsored by the Washington Fed.
Grafton of Churches will be held Al
IL am. tomorrow at Hamline Meth.
odlst Church. The Christmas mes.
sage will be delivered by the Rev
Dr, Fred S. Buschmeyer, president
OF the Ministerial Union, and othe,
ministers will take part in the sery.
ice.
Many churches are holding Christ.
mas services today and tomorrow
ana programs of appropriate musi,
nave been arranged everywhere.
The American Red Cross had ar.