The midland journal., 1946-12-20

InlS season In the nation s caplrOl
isn't as merry a moment as it is
in most cities, for this is city Of
transplanted folk, most of whose
homes are too far distant to be
reached on a short leave or via the
restricted purse that is the portion
of most government workers. AS /
write, the President expects to jour-
ney back to Missouri and his own
family circle. Many of the officials
will do likewise.
White House a
Center of FestiUity
In other years there have been
more festive Christmases.
The little ceremony which be-
came custom during the
Roosevelt regime when the Pres
ident was driven out into the
crowd about the municipal tree
where he touched the button that
illumined it has been discontin-
ued. That event which drew
many a lonely inhabitant to the
crowded square served to bring
holiday touch to Christmas Eve
and the knowledge that the Pres
ident later on would be sur
rounded by children and grand
children while he read the
christmas Carol" was a rather
cheering thought.
There is on record the time when
two White House children, Charley
and Robert, one of them now pres
idential aspirant himself, cut a
mammoth Christmas pie given to
their father, William Howard Taft,
by the International Bakers associ-
alton. 1t was 80 inches in diameter
and weighed 80 pounds.
There was a grand celebration,
too, when Theodore Roosevelt, ct
familia, spent his first Christmas in
the White House. The White House
police were not the least of the cele-
brants-the new president distribut-
ed no less than 81 fat turkeys among
them, the messengers, ushers, gar
deners and stablemen. This was
credited as being the largest lar
gesse ever distributed by presi-
dent. President Mckinley always
gave turkeys to the married en-
ployees, but not as many or as big
ones; the Franklin Roosevelts al
ways had some souvenirs for the
White House staff. What President
Truman's gift will be this year has
not been announced at this writing.
Back in 1892 when Benjamin Har-
rison spent his last Christmas in the
White House there was no prejudice
against things German and the high
point Of the celebration around the
tree In the library was the recita-
ton of German poems, taught them
by their governess, by the Harrison
grandchildren, Ben and Mary.
That was q real children's
hour and we have careful ac-
count in the Washington Star of
that date to authenticate it. mo
nylOns or mink coats were men,
tioned.) "There is a complete
set," says the Star, ''of real
baby furniture, the bed quite big
enough for little Mary Lodge
Mckee; dressing case, with a
glass just high enough for her to
peep into and arrange her front
hair, and the cutest little wash
stand, with all the toilet appli-
ances, all from Mrs. Harrison,
to her tiny granddaughter. A set
Of lambs wool muff and tippet
for little Mary was lying near,
and steam engine, fitted out
with every modern appliance,
and which will chase around in
the ivelieSt style for little Ben
jamin. He has hook and lad
der, complete outfit, a set of
parlor crOquet and doll baby
or two"
After all, it is the children who
make Christmas, for Christmas was
made for them and it is by their
grace that we oldsters can relive
it over through them.
Would you say that even an in
attentive criminal, if the court SEN
fenced him to the gallows, might be
credited with hanging on the judges
words?
EXTEND FARM 70
Do-s4e g d.