The Waterbury Democrat., 1946-01-01

hilarious crowds everywhere, mark ing the first peacetine Baccanalian celebration since 1921, yelled and shouted and made merry far into the early hours of the morning at dine and dance meccas throughout the area.
 Conducive to unstinted hilarity was the fact that most Waterbur- fans had not worked since last Fri day or Saturday and had several days to store up energy for last nights spree. Most factories sus- pended operations at the end of last week. Stores, public offices and other businesses remained closed yesterday.
 FOrImals Return
 Adding to the glamour of the gala evening was the appearance of for nal attire. Girls in bouffant gowns, with bare shoulders, chung proudly to the arms of returned CTS who shed khaki or Navy uniforms for tuxedos and dinner jackets.
 Even the ornery weather man favored jewellers, as temperatures rose and dry highways made driving safe for the drivers who remained sane.
 Following the closing of bars in the jammed inns, restaurants, and taverns, many jewellers were told by tired and weary managers to please go home". But home had no place in their plans. Most went on to aIl- night diners where, the demands for breakfast, coffee, or just tomato juice could not be met. Others saun- tered along the streets, six and eight abreast, singing and shouting.
 Thousands also ushered in the New Year at numerous house par ties.
 Closes War Era
 To jewellers everywhere, however, the end of the year of l945 meant the close of the war era-and most were happy to say goodbye to 1t. Though the year ahead remains big question mark to this nation as to the world, people, 1t appears, are desirous of relegating the war years, with their subsequent strain and pain, to the limbo of forgotten mem ories.
 Early morning Masses were well attended at all Catholic churches in the area today, the Feast of the Circumcision, holy day of obliga- ton. Masses will be celebrated throughout the morning.
 Holy Communion will be received at Christ Chapel at g @. m. this morning.
 (By United Press)
 The nation nurSed its biggest and most expensive hangover today after one of the widest New Years Eve celebrations since the roaring 20's.
 The celebration that swept across the nation at the arrival of l946 touched of a riot of noise-making and roistering. But it was tempered by early-morning church services in the sober aftermath of the greatest war in history.
 As the old year was rung out, crowds which police throughout the nation estimated as the largest in history burst into a bedlam of noise and unrestrained joy that clirnaxed an evening of spending which never had been equalled.
 Liquor Flows Gently On
 Almost 4.000 policemen, patrolled in New York's Times Square to keep "a crowd estimated at almost l,500,- 900 shrieking celebrators in check. Liquor flowed freely. A new night club opened for a near-capacity house with minimum charge of $76 a couple.
 The celebration followed 6 pro- portionate pattern across the coun- try.
 Chicago had it's biggest New Years Eve crowd in 20 years. State and Randolph Streets were a bed- lam of tinsel, confetti and merry making. Liquor sales were at Q new high. Swank clubs and saloons were damned. The top night club price was $i8.50 minimum.
 The entire police department was on duty throughout the night in San Francisco, augmented by 1900 serv- ice police who handled more than 5000 stranded servicemen from the Pacific war theaters. Prices were up to 9l2 per plate. Downtown streets were carpeted with confetti. The midnight curfew on bars still was in effect. but ''speakeasy'' bars operat- ed throughout the night.
 Champagne-Bathed Boston
 New England celebrated its nois- lest and wettest New Years Eve in years. Hotels, night clubs. taverns, and theaters were damned despite 6 freezing slush which hampered transportation. Champagne in Bos- ton cost up to e20 bottle, but 1t flowed like water.
 An estimated l60,0Oo persons cEammed into Detroit bars and night spots, where the normal clos- ing hour had been extended from 2 to ( e. m. For the first time since pre~war days. Bus drivers were authorized to take intoxicated per- eona hore rrnEIcR4 the enoEe