Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1945-12-26

overall legislative program
and the state of the Nation.
By the Associated Press.
INDEPENDENCE, Mo, Dec. rs.
President Truman today went
merrily about celebrating the
Christmas holidays as his home
folk showed every disposition to
allow him to do it in his own
way.
His round of Yuletide calls spread
to Kansas City, where friends were
invited to drop into his Office in the
Federal Building for an exchange
of season greetings.
Mr.. Truman covered plenty of ter
ritory on his arrival here yesterday
by plane from Washington through
sleet and storm. He went inlmedi-
ately by automobile over icy pave
ments for 25-minute visit with his
mother, 93-year -old Mrs. Martha E.
Truman, at nearby Grandview.
Today the President returned to
his mothers home to deliver the
family Christmas gifts which he
didn't have with him when he called
on her last night.
Part of the gifts came in by plane
with Mr.. Truman and part of them
had been collected here by Mrs.
Truman and their daughter Mar
garet. They consisted of the usual
Christmas trinkets," the President
said at the summer White House
here when he departed for Grand
view.
The summer White House looked
like anything but that this morning
as it shimmered in a coating of ice
and snow which has glazed the
whole area this week. Rural roads
which Mr.. Truman must use in his
travels are coated with ice and snow,
making driving dangerous.
The Presidents trip to Grandview
followed breakfast with old friends
at the home of Nat D. jackson, one
block from the Truman residence
The President strolled over in the
snow and returned to gather up
the Christmas gifts from under the
Christmas tree. Seven friends, all
officers of the Masonic Lodge of
Missouri, were his guests at break
fast.
Gets Many Ties and Socks.
The President said he got many
ties and socks for Christmas, but
declined to talk about shirts. After
what happened here last summer
when he tried to buy some white
shirts from his old haberdasher
partner and couldn't, the President
said he tries to remember to hold
his tongue. He said he received
more than 300 white shirts from
over the Nation and was convinced
the American people are ito gen.
erous."
Mayor Roger T. Sermon of hide
pendence made it clear that there
will be no official observance of the
Presidents visit.
He came home to spend the holi-
days with his family and close
friends Mr.. Sermon told reporters.
Il expect to drop by for a hand
shake, that is all We want the
President to feel free to come and 60
as he pleases, just like any other
home-tow citizen coming home for
Christmas"
After his visit to the Federal
Building at Kansas City today, aides
said, the President probably will drop
by several places for handshakes
with old friends. However, they said,
no definite program has been ar
ranged, leaving the Chief Executive
free to follow his whims.
His delayed departure from WASH
lngton, putting him in Kansas City
at 5:55 pm, prevented his customary
appearance at three Christmas din
ners. On his return to Independ-
ence from Grandview, he ate turkey
and trimmings with Mrs. Truman,
his daughter and Mrs. Humans
family.
Before he leaves for Washington
Friday, Mr.. Truman hopes to eat
with his mother at Grandview, and
his aunt, 96-year old Mrs. Joseph T,
holland, who lives across the street
from him in Independence.
Welcomed by Townspeople.
His arrival at his Independence
home at 8 o'clock last night was the
signal for a hearty Merry Christ
mas from more than 100 towns
people gathered outside the Little
White House"
AS he entered his home carolers
serenaded him, concluding with "Si-
lent Night"
After dinner he went by the home
of Mize Peters. Treasury Depart
ment representative for Western
Missouri, for a few minutes before
returning to his home at $50 pm,
tired but happy and ready for bed.
He had had a full day. Expecting
$500 TD Imam De- 9N