Evening star., 1947-01-01
Snow Reduces
New Year Eve,
Street CroWdy
District Night Spots
Filled, but Fail to
Set Any Records

Fitteof Dut Toil 70
Set Any Records
Thousands Of Washingtonians saw
the New Year come in last night at
night spots. hotels and private
homes-all to the accompaniment
of drifting snow that kept crowds
to q minimum in most parts Of
town.
Most night spots had enough peo-
pie present to I'LL all of their tables,
but no record was set for gayety
or crowds.
Many streets were deserted except
for traffic. Downtown r street had
almost its usual quota OF merry
makers blowing horns, kissing each
other and singing "Auld Lang Syne."
Many Kiss on Street.
Kissing on F street, police said,
went on at a rate Unprecedented
since VI Day. Most of 1t was par
ticipated in good naturedly by both
parties, but police saw one young
woman submit meekly to a soldiers
kiss, then promptly, once it was
over, swing hayfnaker that laid
him on his back III the snow.
Police said If Washingtons cur
rent hair bandit shipper was loose
on F street last night he could
have had q field day. They are
waiting for reports to come in.
Crowds also gathered at churches
to attend the traditional New Year
eve candlelight services, most Of
them starting at II pm. and last
ing until midnight.
Catholics Attend Mass.
At most Catholic churches masses
were said today from 6 am. till
noon, this being holy day of obli-
cation, making attendance Of mass
compulsory for Catholics.
The YMCA, Central Branch, 1736
G street NV, is holding open houss
from 2 pm. to pm. today for
members and friends. Visitors will
be able to witness and participate
in sports events and to view dis.
plays of various Y activities.
President Truman, as 1t had been
announced he would, saw the New
Year in aboard the yacht Williams
burg in the Anacostia River at the
naval gun factory. The executive
offices are closed today, but tho
President plans to work on his State
Of the Union message to Congress.
900, 900 In Times Square.
Reports from throughout the Ma,
ton indicated gayety was the note
struck everywhere. New York City's
Times Square held an estimated
900 600 celebrators. Smaller but
noisy and convivial crowds were re-
ported from Portland, Oreg., to
Atlantic City, from Minneapolis,
Mimi, to Austin, Tex.
Servicemen, who were amply
sprinkled among revelers at clubs
and hotels, had special celebrations
of their own at four clubs and serv-
lice centers. @
/ Typical was a dance at the Pent-
lhouse USO Club, Seventeenth and
K streets NV, attended by more
than 400 GIs, their dates and USO
Junior hostesses. Many of the Serv-
icemen, like Marine Corpl. w. o.
Butler, 10, Of Elberton, Ga, were
spending their first New Year away
from home.
Unusual Party.
Probably the most unusual party
OF the evening was held at the
Walsh Center, 1923 Twenty-second
street NV, where more than 400
members and guests OF Alcoholics
Anonymous welcomed 1947 with
toasts of Coffee and grapejuics
punch.
Content with dancing, playing
gin rummy and bridge and slipping
their soft drinks, the guests freely
and enjoyably disdained q more
riotous celebration. And there
isn't drink in sight" commented
an anonymous spokesman Of the
group.
Amidst the Joymaking, however,
there was least one unhappy night
club owner-Sacha Lucas, former
ciolinist at the Troika and Old New
Orleans, whose club, the Moulin
Rouge, 1730 L street NV, opened
last night.
By 8 pm, patrons had thronged
into the clubs coral room to dance,
eat and drink. But by the time
1947 rolled around, most had left
chased away by the cold. Later,
Mr.. Lucas explained the sad story
to reporter.
Difficulties Explained.
Heat for the club is controlled In
offices Of the Equitable Insurance
Co.; which occupies the same build
ing as Moulin Rouge. Employees
of the insurance firm do not work
on New Year day. Somehow, a
thermostat controlling. heat In the
offices-and the Moulin Rouge
was turned of yesterday before
employees left for the holiday
$50 our club began to get colder
and colder" Mr.. Lucas explained,
land after that, people just began
to come and go, leaving us to cele-
brate by ourselves" He added, how
ever, that with the heat situation
well in hand, the club will resume
operations tonight.
Downtown and neighborhood the
Aters which had midnight shows
reported capacity crowds, fact that
helped account for the street crowds
on F street during the midnight
hours.
w. M. Pinkerton Named