Evening star., 1953-12-24
Cold Christmas
Faces District;
Services SET
Eisenhower to Give +,
Broadcast Tonight;
Goes South Tomorrow

CTS SLOW GOWN long enough 10
exchange CHEEKY greetings even
in scurrying Washington, moved
in with its traditional spirit
today.
1t won't be a white one, but
it will be cold enough-35 de-
greeS today. down to IA in the
suburbs tonight and back to
the middle 40s tomorrow.
For reverence, the day and
the night will have church serv-
ices throughout the city and
message of peace and good
will from the White House.
President Eisenhower's four
minute message will go out over
three television and radio net
works at 500 pm, and will be
re-broadcast from the Voice OF
America in 81 languages.
For love of fellow-man, the
day and the night will have
thousand-fold thoughts and
gifts for the needy and UNDER
privileged.
For CHEEKY spirit in all the
holly and mistletoe tradition it
VIII have gay parties and fire.
side family gatherings.
For the homesick it will mack
trains, planes, buses and private
cars. Transportation reserva-
lions have been booked for days.
U. S. Employees Holiday.
Government and District en-
ployes had a half-holiday. but
many picked up a half day from
annual leave and surged out of
town this morning.
Accurate figures were not
available from Government
offices, but estimates of the
number who took the morning
on ran as high as 40 per cent
that figure at the Government
Printing Office.
The General Services Admin
istration said about 80 per cent
were on leave today. This in
ciuded those on vacation.
Parking space, usually at a
premium, went begging on lots
at Government buildings this
morning. Traffic was lower than
the usual rush-hour volume.
Buses and streetcars were only
about half-filled.
Traffic Below Normal.
The Capital Transit Co, said
riding on its behicles was very
light" Deputy Chief John j.
Agnew, in charge of traffic for
the Police Department, said
trathc was about 80 per cent
below normal this morning.
The American Automobile As
soclation. reporting almost rec.
ord-like requests for travel in
formation, also had a good word
about road conditions in general.
Light snow may be on the roads
northeast of New York. Buffalo
expected snow squalls and Cleye-
land has already had them. but
highways in all directions are
open.
For the laSt-minute shopper
and there were thousands of lis
1T meant the final jostle
through crowds for the final
grab for a gift.
AT the Christmas decked
White House. President Eisen-
mower will light the National
community Christmas tree--a
55-foot living spruce with 7o0
sparkling ornaments and 1000
red and green lights.
Around the first family's own
tree in the living quarters of
the Executive Mansion. the
PRESIDENT, Mrs. Eisenhower and
her mother, Mrs. John S. Doud
planned to unwrap their gifts
Normally, they wait until
christmas Day. but by 9 am.
tomorrow they'll be flying to
Augusta, Ga, for reunion with
Maj. John Eisenhower and his
family.
Post Office Is Busiest.
The President plans to remain
at his cottage at the Augusta
National Golf Club until after
New Years Day, working on
January messages to Congress
and playing little golf.
In the White House back
yard platform is UP for the
tree-lighting ceremony, featur-
ing the United States Marine
Band and National Press Club
Chorus.
OF all the holiday hum of
activity-from the White House
to the home-bound traveller and
last-minute shopper. none sur
passed the Post Office where
scores of extra employees worked
the mail.