Evening Star Newspaper, December 25, 1924, Page 4

PRESIDENT LIGHTS LIVING YULE TREE Spruce- in. Sherman Square Attracts Thousands—Carols at ‘White House. Tznoring the murky, —inclement weather, thousands of- Washington- fans, headed by the’ President and’ Mrs. Coolidge, last hight welcomed in the festival honoring the birth of Christ with songs, grown mellow with toms grown sweet in tra- addition, on Sherman »uth.of the Treasury, ercises dedicating u liv- which will still be | s when this generation is gone. Just before § o'slock approximgtely 10,000 Washingtonians surrounded the National Community Christmas Tree re, and a lane of s strung out along east ve avenue expecting the Presi- dent and Mrs. Coplidge to walk to the scene. They came in an automobile, however, and the erowd jammed in to the lines, while the United States Ma- 1, led by Li Santieman, layed the President's song, “Hall to the Chief. President Turns on Light. | ortly volidge " In Square,. ju here wer > tree, herman after 8 o'clock President turned a switch wh shted ihe trec. There were speeches d appropria and then the dential returned to the House tc eive the vested ir of t Congregutionai h, which g Christmas | arols on the front portico of the Ka cutive . Man On the White House Jawn hundreds of persons | £1ood waiting to get a glimpse at close ran President Coolldge. He did not e out on the portico, | the open door with | ac nying thé ve ushered in Christ- centuries floated up through air from the White Hou: there was a trad THE EVENING STAR, E OF MISTLETOE ORIGINATED BY DRUIDS BEFORE CHRIST’S DAY Held Sacred Along With Oak by Priests of Ancient Religion—Great Ceremonies Held Parasitic Shrub Was Discovered. It is quite generally known that the use of mistletoe at Christmas time is a religlous custom many cen- turles old, but the fact that the Druids of early Britain, a half-century before Christ, were the originators of this world-wide ‘custom is not so generally known. First, who were the Druids ‘and what does Druldism mean as a re- liglous belief? Druidism consisted of two distinct sets of tenets. The one that mystic faith, the knowledge of which was preserved inviolate by the priests themselves, and the other form specially prepared and adapted for acceptance and practice by the people. The Druids, as well as the Brahmins of Indis, the Magi of Per- sia, the Confuclans of China, the aborigines of America and Afric held the doctrine which inculcates a belief in & God supreme and all-pow- erful, the prolonged life of the soul {and a future state of reward: and punishment, according to the tenor of their acts in this world. In order to increase their power, however, and to hold the people in subjection, the Druids taught a much more complicated system of religion to the multitude. Although not idola- tors—that is, they did not carve nor make images of wood or stone for worship—yet their gods were nu- merous, and the faith of these ancient peoples may be termed polytheism. or a worship of many gods. The tm- portance of the sun, moon and stars, with their gorgeous lights and mys- terious movements in the heavens, won for Druidism the devotion of the Henry J. Keating, second cornet: Lloyd Q. Cooper. trombone, and James C. Collier, baritone. There were four selections: “Holy Night” “O Little Town of Bethlehem,” “The First Noel,” and “Come All Ye Faithful A Christmas concert was then ren- dered by the United States Marine Band, and by 8:30 the crowd began leaving. res of laté comers ling- d atmosphere about was_impressive of the communi attended by ex-| brief but strik- cil ton | mmYctee in | rge of the arrangements and head | the comm y center depa mtn.\ ic schools which ar- | received the Presi- | “oolidge and presented s of the execu- were Those Presented. | 1 Representative f New York; Miss esident of the Ama- ew York: F. M. sident of the Society ctrical Development; E. C. Snyder, United States marshal in the District; T. L. Townsend of the Wash- ington Blectric League, Paul Wooton of the McGraw-Hill engineering pub- lications, Mrs. L. W. Hardy, general secretary of the community center organization, and Robert Lawrence, divector of community singing. President Ovid M. Butler, executive secretary of the American Forestry Association, on behalf of that organi- zation, then made the address pre- senting the living Christmas tree to the President. He pointed out that the tree would live and grow and be waiting for successive easons for decoration. He opened a vista of the future containing a portrait of the tree enlivening many Christmas celebrations “] acéept this tree and I will now ight it for this occasion,” were the words President Coolidge used in his ddress of acceptance. He turned a witch. The tree was flooded with a housand red and- green and amber ights; some arranged in candle ef- ect; some brilliant, some subdued; he whole offering a study in artistic color combinations. Singing Assisted by Quartet. Mr. Lawrence led the singing of “hristmas carols, accompanied by the ass quartet of the Army Music “hool, which included: Charles F. vaddington, leader and first cornet; “Hahn' | of Bethlehem” ered to view the tree and throughout the evening a continual stream of ightseers mulled around the spot. After the, tree had been lighted T. Lincoln Townsend, chairman of the committee on lighting. and the five members of that committee were pre- sented to President Coolidge. Later Mr. Townsend officially turned over to Col. C. O. Sherrill the custody of 1o lighting fixtures to be preserved | for future Christmas services. Theso irrangements are permanently in- |stalled and can be used indefinitely, it was aunounced. Choir Sings on Portico. The picturesque celebration in the White House grounds was a contin- uvation of the custom developed last year by Mrs. Coolidge. It started at about § o'clock, when the vested cholr filed out of the Executive Mansion to face a battery of cameras drawn up on the front porch. About 70 voices comprised the choir, led by Ruby Smith Stahl The first carol was one written by Rev. Jason Noble Pierce, D. D.. min- ister of the First Congregational Church, and dedicated to Mrs. Cool- idge, who heard it for the first time last night. Extra lights made the front porch bright as day, while the singers caroled their greetings of the season. All told, there were 13 num- bers on the program. ranging from “The First Noel," and "0, Little Town to the ancient old English lay, “God Rest Yeu. Merry Gentelmen.” The portico of the White House acted as a sounding board, sending back into the night the:vocal har- mony in clear volume. Charles T. Ferry was at the plano. Mrs Stahl, soprano, rendered a number of solo parts. Other leading parts were by Goldie D. Hutchins, contralto; Hil- bert D. Kratger, tenor, and John H. Marville, bass. The singers were as- sisted by bugles and flutes from the Marine Corps Band. 1t was just before 10 o'clock that the cholr re-entered the White House and the crowds began to wander homeward to Christmas-tree trim- ming and vigils for Santa Claus. Stores wish you the merriest Of merry Christmases Xmas purchases Cheerful ly Exchanged people, who thus became worshipers of the heavenly bodies; then rivers, trees and mountains were deified. The worship of the sun and moon seems to have been the origin, of the temples which stand as mysterious mementos of the earliest British ages, the method of whose construction puzzles allke the architect and the builder more than the great pyramids of Egypt. One of the most mnote- worthy temples is near Wilton, on Salisbury Plains, and is called Stone- henge. It consists of a circle of huge stones inclosing a small circle of similar stones all raised on end and standing _perpendicularly on the ground. Centuries have passed, still the mysterious rings endure to raise themes for discussion among the lgarned of future tim That these strange people sacri- ficed human victims to appease the wrath of their deities there is little doubt, and they did not choose the outcast and the criminal, but selected the most beautiful and symmetrical in form and feature. Sometimes the victims were consumed by the sacred fire on an altar erected under the spreading branch of the oak, which tree the Drulds held in special ven- eration. - The mistletoe as well as the oak was held sacred by the Drutds. When mistletoe was discov- ered, after sundry mysterious prepa- rations, the arch-Druid, in the midst of sacrifices, hymns and prayers, as- cended the ‘tree and cut down the branch. This festival was held at miduight as near as the age of the moon permitted to the 10th of March, which was their New Year day, cele- brated in a similar way to our Christ- mas. From the use of mistletoe by the Druid: » the custom of decking with that plant at Christmas time—a remnant of Druidism which is still practiced. PLAYGROUND PEOPLE HELP SANTA CLAUS Workers Distribute Gifts in Many Centers Where Good Saint ‘Was Missing. Realizing that big-hearted old Santa Claus might empty his sack of toys long before he had taken in all the chimneys in Washington, Mre. Susie Root Rhodes and her staff o¥ alds on the unicipal volunteered again this year to help the bewhiskered friend of the kiddles. Gathering together a supply of good things to eat and a varied as- sortment of toys, the playgrounds workers filled 500 stockings and di tributed them among boys and girls in all sections of the city who might, otherwise have been disappointed on Christmas morning. The playgrounds department also distributed among needy children a large box of caps, gloves and stock- ings contributed by the firm of George & Co. SANTA TO VISIT HOME. Union Printers Arrange Holiday Cheer for Veterans. INDIANAPOLIS, December 25— Printers in more than 50 cities have arranged Santa Claus visitations for ald-timers in the Unfon Printers' Home, at Colorado Springs, Colo., it was stated yesterday by J. W. Hayes, secretary-treasurer of the Interna- tional Typographical Union. Turkey dinner, a long-established custom, will be served. dy, books and warm clothing constitute the bulk of Christmascheer sent by local unions to home resi- dents from their sections. New York Typographical Union, No. 6, sent $5 in addition to the regular weekly allowance to each New York resident in the home. playgrounds | ‘WASHINGTON, - THREE TREE FETES FORU. 5. EMPLOYES Interior Department Soene of 3 Programs for Workers in 40 Buildings. Llaborate programs for the thri gigantic Christmas “entertainments for the families of the employes in the 40 bufldings under jurisdiction of Lleut. Col. Clarence O. Sherrill, U. 8. A., of- ficer in charge of public buildings and grounds, to be held December 26, 27 and 29 in the Interior Department au- ditorium, have been announced. The large number of employes of these buildings made it necessary to have three separate entertainments. The first program follows: Band concert of the United States Army Band; dance, by Miss Ella McKenai old numbers played on the guitar; by Jacob Townsend: popular songs, by Miss Illene Ralley, accompanied by Arthur McCreight; address by Col. Sherrill; bass solo, by J. E. 8. Kinsell: violin solo, by Orrin Eadie, accom- panied by Miss Marion Eadie; reading, by Mrs. Mary Disbrow; 20 minutes of fun, by thé National City Minstrel Five, composed of Messrs. Stern Wise. Marshall, Porterfield and Yow- ell; dance, by Miss Mary McIntosh, accompanied by Mrs. Leroy McIntosh, and Santa Claus, impersonated by F. W. Surgey. The entertainers will be introduced by James F. Gill. After the regular program there will be dancing until midnight. Second Emtertainment. The second entertainment, to be held on Saturday night, will comprise the following program: Band con- cert, from 7:30 until 8:30; openin chorus, “America,” by the audience; invocation, by Rev. G. A. McGlow chorus, by the Washington Male Cho- rus; recitation, by Miss Lucy Beverly; solo, E. N. Broadnax; piano solo, Mi M. 'A. Washington: quartet, Mr Campbell and company; solo, Miss Vivian White; saxophone solo, Wil- liam Miller: quartet, Mrs. B. Bassen- berg and company: duet, Mrs. Bowser and Mrs. Gatewood; trombone solo, Daniel Doy; address by Maj. O. E. Sol- bert, U. §. A.. assistant to Col. Sherrill; rexponse, Rev. McGlown; solo, Mrs. Edna Elllott; quartet, by the Har- mony Quartet. The regular program, in the presenta. tion of which E. V. Carter will intro- duce the participants, will be concluded by the singing of “The Star-Spangled Banner” by the audience. Those having charge of the enter- tainment are E. V. Carter, R. Cooper, Roberta Noten, Bertha Moore, Mar- garet Brown, M. L. Fenwick, Mary Samuels, Bessie O'Neal, George H. Parkere Emma C. Rotan, Walter J Bundy, Abraham Rawies, Freddie D. Brooks, Carrie Syphax, Eudora Curtis. Program for Third. The program for the third and last of the entertainments, of which The- odore Randolph will be master of ceremonies, follows: Band 7:30 to 8:30; opening chorus, “Amer- ica,” by the audience; invocation, Rev. T. S. Scott; address, Col. Sherrill; r sponse, Theodore Randolph: singing, Washington Male Chorus; recitation, Earnest Peace; solo, Miss Inez Davl plano duet, Mrs. Alexander and Mri Bogle; solo, Chester Dodson: saxo- phone, Will Miller; recitation, J. T. Simmons; solo, Mrs. Ethel Preston singing, Washington Male Choru trombone olo, Daniel Doy; solo, Mrs. Ida Johnson; mixed quartet from the Ebenezer M. E. Church; cornet solo, Delmar Ta singing, Washington Male Quartet As in the first entertainment, Santa Claus will be impersonated -for- the distribution of presents to the chil- dren of the employes. Those who are in charge of the arrangements are Theodore Randolph, J. Townsend, D. R. Boone, Russell Truss, George Par- ker and W. H. Castor. Commissioned in 0. R. C. Richard H. Wilmer, 1815 Twenty- fourth street, has been commissioned by the War Department, a major in the Coast Artlllery, Officers’ Reserve Corps of the Army. Starting Sa_turday ! One of the most Sensational Sales of Women’s Shoes in all the 49 years we’ve been in Business! See Our Ads in Friday's "Evening Papers Cor. 7th: &K Sts. 414 “City Club Shof’ maast 233 9th St. 1914-16 Pa. Ave. Pa. Ave, S.E. concert, D. ¢, THURSDAY, DECEMBER -25, -1024. Two Blind Girls . See First Time as Christmas Gift Operations on Eyes Sight- less Since Birth Prove Successful. LOUISVILLE, Ky., December 25.— Two Kentucky girls, both blind from birth, have received their sight as a Christmas gift as a result of a suc- cesstul operation, it was announced yesterday by officials of the Ken- tucky School for the Blind, Lillie Bryant, 13, of Decker, Butler County, and Elsie Day. 14, of Cranks, Har- land County, for the time will be able to participate fully in the Yuletide celebrations, When the girls enrolled last fall in the school ‘they were given the cus- tomary examination to determine the nature and cause of their blindness. Lillle was a victim of trachome. An operation was performed at the Gov- ernment Trachoma Hospital in Pike- ville by Dr. W. L. Davis on October 21. She returned to the school De- cember 21, but remained only one night, going to her home, where she will enter public school. Elsle's trouble was found to be a double cataratt. Her father was per- suaded to consent and Dr. Claude Wolf operated. She will be fitted with glasses within a few weeks and re- turn to her home. g TREE AT ST. JOHN Festival Will Be Held Tomorrow. Christm The Christmas tree and carol tival of the St. John's Lpiscopal Church, Lafayette Square, will be held tomorrow afternoon at 4 o'clock. The rector, Rev. Dr. Robert Johnston, will distribute candy to all children present and will present gifts to scholars of the Sunday school. fos- Red Cross Gives to Police Fund. The District chapter of the Ameri- can Red Cross yesterday sent a check for $60 as Christmas contribution to the sgndwich and coffee fund of the Police and Fire departments. Hose; 59¢ Slight {mperfections that will n mar the wearing. The Silk a Rayon Hose In a wide range ized garter top. The Wool Mixed a. colors and heather mixtures. plete range of sizes. Street Floor. Spec Silks and Dress Fabric Remnants, Formerly $1.2510 $2 98¢ Yd. inch Crepe de Chine, in colors. 35-inch Messaline, in colors. 35-inch’ Taffeta, in colors. 35-inch' Radium, colors. 35-inch Silk-mixed Canton Crepe. 35-inch Printed Crepe de Chine. 39-inch Silk Canton Crepe. 36-inch All-wool Crepe. 36-inch All-wool Storm Serge. 36-inch All-wool Batiste. 36-inch .All-wool French Serge. 36-inch All-wool Poplin. Lengths suitable for frocks, skirts and children’s apparel. Street Floor. Ready-to-Wear Special Lots Reduced 20 Coats—Formerly $1975, To- morrow. §12.75 —Polaire and Blocked Polaire. Some trimmed with collars of sealine or mandel. Coats—Formerly $12.75, Tomor~ row $775—Wool Velour, Plaid and Blocked Polaire. No C. O. D.’s, exchanges or will-calls. Second Floor. Every Shaving Set Reduced Not a single one must remain after tomorrow—so here they- go at redically reduced prices. Choose— $6.50 Sets, $4.25 $5.98 Sets, $3.98 $4.50 Sets, $3.00 $3.98 Sets, $1.98 $2.49 Sets, $1.69 Street Floor. $1.50 Table Cloths 98¢ Slightly solled ' from handlin, 58x58 and 45x45 inch sizes. Whit with colored borders and blue or gold card table covers. Fine mer- cerized quality. Street Floor. . |GOTHAM REPORTS “BEST CHRISTMAS" Charity Funds Sufficient to Take Care of Every Needy Child in City. By the Associated Press. NEW YORK, December 25.—Santa Claus paused in his gift deliveries here last night only long. enough to remark that from what he had ob. served it looked as if Christmas this year would be one of the best in the history of the metropolis. Relief agencies, through the benevolence of the more prosperous, had: completed plans for Christmas cheer of many kinds for the sick and needy. The, department of welfare of New York, the Salvation Army, Volunteers of America, the Red Cross, the churches and other retigious soci- etfe, soctal, political, fraternal and other organizations and the newspa- pers collected funds or arranged for holiday gifts and parties for needy tamilies and thelr children. So many individuals and organizations co-op- erated with the rellef agencies that it was belleved every needy child would be provided with a gift. The Yuletide celebration hers was ushered in yesterday afternoon by the Trinity chimes and the singing of Christmas carol$ in St. Paul's Chapel, on lower Broadway. The usual spe- clal services were held in many churches during the afternoon and night. while others had special musie on_the programs today. One of Santa Claus’ longest sched- uled stops here was Ellis Island, where he left gifts for more than 1,000 detained immigrants. They had a celebration around a huge tree. TREE AT NO. 4 PRECINCT. Capt. Ira Sheetz of No. 4 precinct, Lieut. Holmes and the policemen of the station were hosts this morning at the station house to a large number of needy children. In addition to a beautiful tree, pres- ents of candy and toys, the policemen handed out hams, vegetables and other edibles. Mixed and Silk-and-W ool ot nd of smart light tones, made with mercer- nd Stik-and-wool Hose in various plain A com- WHERE THE VOGUE OF THE MOMENT 7§ FIRST REVEALED BEGINNING TOMOR_ROW MORNING Drastic : Reductions ‘Big Enough to Insure Immediate Clearance Of Entire Stock of Winter. Coats and Dresses COATS *4 79 3599 8O0 692 50 98- That one month ago sold for $89.50 up to $150.00 DRESSES 182 4 -00 295 58 50 352 69 That one month ago sold for $29.75 up to $98.50 ALL SALES FINAL 1316 G Street ,SHOP City Club Building "mmmmmlflmml"flmmmllllHlllmll"l“mllllllllllflll||||lml""llfllIllllmllmlllllllllulhllllmllllmlllllmllll“lIIIIIIlllllllllIIIIIIIIIIHIIHIIIHIIIIIu|l|||“|lIIIIIIIIHIHI"IIIIIIII|Nlflllllll|lll||||||“|"|l||lll|§ Silk and Rayon, Wool- Silk-and-W ool Hose, 79¢ Slight imperfections of §1 vith ribbed tops, 50 qual- ck and Some A Hundreds of pairs in b the correct light shades others plain. complete assortment of sizes in the ' 190 Dresses Street, afternoon and party frocks of tricoknit, bengfile, lace, georgette, poiret twill, velour checks and prunellas. Various sizes 16 to 48 and a good assortment of colors. Every dress in the lot sold for a\great deal more—but this is a final closeout of a short lot. Second Floor. $1.25 Costume Slips $1 copen afid purple bodice-top well Black, gray. sateen in_straightline, styles. Good firm quality, made. Seeond Floor. $2.98 Wool Sweaters, $1 All-wool _slip-on _ styles, brown, black and various colo; All sizes. Just a short lot for im- mediate disposal. Second Floor. $1 Blouses, 79c Dimity, linen, voile and pongette in tallored styles. Tucked fronts, - lace and embroidery trimmed. Peter Pan, mannish and tuxedo collars. in Second Floor. $3.98 Flannel Middies $2.98 Overblouse model, With Peter Pan collar. Trimmed with silk cord and tassel. Red, navy and brown. Seecond Floor. Men’s $2 Union Suits $1 Heavy.weight Ribbed Union Suits, warmly fleeced. Sizes 36 to 46. Splendid quality. Street Floor. $7.75 Fitted Suit Cases, $5.95 Fitted with 11 tollet accessories. Case lined with brocaded sateen in blue or rose. Pocket and two locks. Third Floor. $1.75 Sunfast Rayon Madras, 95¢ Yd. Remnants and short ends of va- rious colors and patterns. Lengths suitable for curtains and dra- DGHG. Third Floor: Boys® 79¢ Caps, 55¢ Wool mixtures in gray and - brown. All sizes, Splendid caps for sckool or.play. ‘Neat patterns. Street Floor. Men’s 89c Shirts, 69c Blie Work Shirts, all seams double stitched and shirt full cut Excellent sturdy-wearing quality. Sizes 14% to 17. Street Floor. Men’s $1.69 Pajamas $1.39 Cotton pongee, in_ white, blue, tan, helio and pink. Trimmed with rayon frogs. Sizes A, B, C, D. Street Floor, $1 and $1.50 Apron Dresses, 69c Gingham and percale, in plain colors, stripes and checks. Trim= med with embroidery, rickrack braid and pipings. Second Floor. 40c Table Oilcloth 19¢ Yd. Remnants of plain white, fancy tile and marble designs. Perfect quality. Third Floor. various colors. Street Fioor. 59¢ Undergarments 49¢ Fine Muslin Gowns, Chemise and Drawers, lace trimméd, embroid- ered or stitching finished. Sateen Bloomers in flesh, blue and black. Second Floor. Window Shades, 59¢ 0il Opaque Shades, slight sec- onds of $§1.00 and § qualities. Light and dark col Slightly imperfect. Third Floor. All Ash Trays Reduced $2.00 Trays, $1.33 $1.00 Trays, 75¢ Street Floos, Ivory Sets, /s Off All sets formerly $5.98 to reduced one-third. Various and colors in large or sma Each in a beautiful lined box. Street Floor. Boys’ $1.29 Flannelette Pajamas, $1 and two piece attractive striped Sizes 4 to 16 years. Street Floor. Boys’ Wash Suits, $1 Button - and middy ‘stvles, of Peggy cloth and chambray. Also Wash Top and Corduroy Pants Combinations. Street Floor. Boys’ $1.49 Sweaters $1 Coat style, in nav and gray Sizes 8 to 14 vears. Good warm sweaters for school and play. TN Street Floor. Boys’ 79¢ Blouses, 55¢ White self-stripe madras and striped percale. Full-cut, with double yoke. Sizes 7 to 15 years. Street Floor. Hockey Caps, 55¢ Styles for bovs and girls. Pure wool, In plain colors and combina- tions. All sizes. * Sireet Floor. Vles sets. ¢ One various terns. styles, in pat Every Toyin No reservations, every toy in our de- paftment must-go out this week—we don’t carry toys except dur- ing the Christmas holi- da — so take your chmce aof all reihaining articles at 14 off regu- lar marked price. Stieet e e B T TR S AR T LT T o e e e R A R R