Evening Star Newspaper, December 19, 1936, Page 2

A—2 #a SANTA 1S AMAZED ATTOY CAMPAIGN Rousing Welcome Given Vis- itor, Who Takes Note of Children’s Needs. Santa Claus himself came to town last night. His pre-Christmas descent on Wash- ington was an unprecedented event, made in co-operation with The Star- Warner Bros.-N. B. C. Christmas toy campaign and the Shoreham Toy Ball last night, so that every child in Washington will still believe in him Christmas morning. While Santa’s reindeer rested for their Yuletide trips all over the world, their master came from the Polar regions in an airplane piloted by E. W. Chatfield. Santa Claus himself was peering out of the window of the tri-motored American Airlines plane that landed at Baltimore, on its way from the North Pole, to pick up a member of The Star staff for an exclusive inter- view. His nose was pressed against the window, and his whiskers bristled delightfully. The reporter climbed aboard, find- ing in the eerie tint of the landing lights the Santa Claus of childhood. Twinkling eyes, girth, red cheeks and & nose ever so slightly pink. The airplane took off with a roar and Santa and the reporter sat down suddenly. “I'm more accustomed to reindeer,” he apologized. The earth departed. Stars came near and sparkled. The ship split a plump cloud in two. ‘The reporter produced a pencil and paper under Santa’s scrutiny, trying Yot to feel like that small child of many Christmases ago who would have given a great deal to ve riding with Banta himself behind either an air- cooled motor or reindeer. Unusual Toy Campaign. “I don't believe there is a toy cam- paign as extensive as this Star-Warner Bros.-N. B. C. one I've been hearing about in America,” Santa Claus de- elared. “Look here!” the reporter exclaimed, *“You are stealing my stuff. I don't believe there is a Santa Claus.” Santa Claus roared with laughter, holy with all the kindness of all the world. “1 must tell Mrs. Santa Claus." he said. “She’ll get a laugh out of that. After all these centuries there are really persans who do not believe in me?" ‘The interview ended with Santa in full possession of all details about what is probably the most extensive Christmas campaign on behalf of €he needy ever made. ‘Washington Monument wheeled un- dler the plane. The ship landed while searchlights played upon Santa Claus for the waiting crowd of several thou- sand folk, many with young children i their arms. Maj. Ernest W. Brown, superintend- ent of police, was the first to greet the patron saint of Christmas, while Lee Everett of the National Broad- casting Co. was present with a micro- phone so that he might speak to the waiting N. B. C. radio public. Chat- field, who had the honor of being Banta's pilot, informed children of the air audience that he had gotten gheir Santa to town safely. Waiting children were beside them- selves with excitement as Santa strode from the fleld. Large-eyed little boys dashed from their father’s handclasp and screamed “Hello, S8anta Claus.” They waved and touched him, and #aid what they wanted for Christmas, and Santa heard them all. The grown- | ups, too, made way for Santa Claus/ gravely. Escorted to Hotel. With Maj. Brown, Sania rode to the Bhoreham Hotel behind a police motor eycle escort. He was seated in the rear of a gleaming maroon car, top down, provided by the Packard Washington Motor Car Co. Over the Highway Bridge swept Santa’s chariot, up Four- teenth street to Pennsylvania avenue. Three police motor cycles cleared the way in front and three brought up the Tear. As the motorcade turned into Penn- sylvania avenue police sirens opened up with a scream that did not cease until the end of the route was reached. Past the White House went Santa, into Connecticut avenue, around Dupont Circle. Crowds returning from night time amusement paused at cor- ners and slong sidewalks to return Baint Nick's cheery wave. As Santa’s car swung into the Shore- ham driveway, the lighted squares of apartment windows grew dark wita clusters of spectators. The police sirens gave a dying sigh. Santa had reached his destination! Campaign officials stood under the portico to greet him. With that democratic demeanor thay makes him the popular saint he is, Santa shook hands all sround. smiling and booming great *“hellos.” Eager lobby throngs craned and ap- plauded ss Santa strode down the car- peted corridor into the lobby. Photos graphers’ flash bulbs winked. It was & cameraman’s first chance to “get” the distinguished visitor since Christ- mas, 1935, and his last chance until Christmas, 1937, for Santa’s visit next Thursday night will be secret, as every youngster knows. Dancing halted when Santa entered the ball room and there was a Tinging cheer from the hundreds who had eome to do him honor and to remem- ber the forgotten child with some token of Christmas. Before joining the throng, Santa peused at a table heaped with big, gayly-wrapped par- cels. These were gifts for needy chil- dren brought by the toy ball partici- pants. The Shoreham waived its SHOPPING DAYS LEFY hington Celebrates Santa Claus Arrival at Gala Shoreham Ball THE EVENING STAR, WASHINGTON, D. C, SATURDAY, DECEMBER 19, 1936. THRONGS GIVE PATRON SAINT OF CHRISTMAS ROYAL WELCOME AT AIRPORT AND HOTEL IN HONOR OF FORGOTTEN CHILD. Not even the gayest New Year eve party could equal the scene at the Shoreham Hotel last night when a vast gift-bearing crowd which filled the ball room to overflowing watched a parade of noted stars from Warner Bros., the National Theater and the Shoreham’s floor show perform before N. B. C. microphones to greet Sania Claus as The Star’s Christmas campaign to remem- ber the forgotten child neared the American Airlines plane w (2) Maj. Brown, superintendent of police. Washington children. escorts Saint Nick into the Shoreham lobby. its climax. (1) Santa steps off ith his aides bearing gifts for (3) Santa Claus receives the key to the Nation’s Capital from Commissioner Hazen. (4) “Barnee,” Shoreham maestro, leads the orchestra. (5) Walter Huston, a distinguished guest at the party, meets two of his namesakes, Huston, from the Earle Theater. ceremonies. Elizabeth Houston (left) and Josephine (6) Eddie Peabody, master of (7) Gardiner Moore, manager of the Shoreham, shows Santa the pile of toys which guests had brought for needy children. —Star Staff Photos. @BY® charge in return for such pres- | ents for the poor. | Gift Offerings Listed. With an approving twinkle in his eye, Santa took inventory of the gift offerings. He will take them with him on his return to the North Pole, pack them in his reindeer sled and distribute them when he comes on his | regular visit next Thursday night. Santa was led immediately through | the applauding couples on the dance fioor to a place before the band stand where all could see. Gordon Hitten- mark, N. B. C. announcer, proclaimed in ringing tones that might have an- nounced the President of the United States: “Santa Claus!” | And WMAL audiences knew that | the good saint was in town again. Maj. Brown infroduced the merriest of the merrymakers to Commissioner Melvin C. Hazen and Commissioner Hazen introduced Santa to s three- foot gold key-to-the-city. “Backward, turn backward, oh time in your flight, make me a boy again just for tonight,” quoted the Commis- sioner. It was as if he himself had turned back the hands of time's clock, for thenceforward the ball room was filled with boys and girls. They wore the costumes and the visages of adults, but their hearts were the hearts of children, happy in the knowledge that real children were to profit from their tribute to Santa Claus. Santa’s voice came booming through | the amplifiers, explaining that once upon a time he used to travel by rein- deer sled, but that tonight he had come by plane on an urgent mission Tequiring the greatest speed. A ‘When Santa had been welcomed and Orchestra in “Jingle Bells.” “On with the dance!” Scores of couples fox- trotted gaily. Others celebrated at lively table gatherings. The spirit of Christmas prevailed ence more. Santa had to sip his water through straw, his whiskers were so profuse. At the official table, looking on with amusement mixed with reverence for | later Mr. | cluding selections from “Show Boat™ the kindest of all mankind, were Com- missioner Hazen, Maj. and Mrs. Brown, Harry Daniel, co-ordinator of Federal activities for the Christmas campaign, and members of The Star, Warner ‘The first entertainer on one of the biggest programs of entertainment ever presented at a Washington party was Eddie Peabody, who doubled in brass as master of ceremontes. . Eddie ical feats with guitar, sang and things up,” his crest of blond hair falling In a bang over his forehead as his performance increased in enthusiasm Jdkephine Huston Sings. Josephine Huston (no relation to Walter) gave a demonstration of the vocal talent that has gained her a wide reputation as a musical comedy star. She appears regularly this week at the Earle Theater. Just about this time Walter Huston (no relation to Josephine) arrived from the National Theater, freshly scraped of the coffee-colored grease paint which makes him Othello, Shakes- peare’s tragic Moor, from 8:30 until 11 p.m. nightly. Smiling and gracious, he was greeted with, applause at the official table, where he was intro- duced to Santa Claus. A few minutes Huston was conducted to the microphone for a formal introduc- tion to the toy ball throng. 8o loud and so long was the applause for the | great star of stage and acreen that he had to hold up his hands for silence, “The Star always does things right,” | he said, referring to the Christmas toy | cam : The Randalls, Marion and Martinez, ! did a breezy Latin rhumba according to the style in Rio de Janeiro and Havana, which they have visited. Their white native costumes, flounced with red, gave a summery touch to a ‘Winter party. ‘The Bonners, popular songsters, ren- dered some sentimental melodies, in- and “Rose Marie.” There were interludes of dancing and of Eddie Peabody. The closing events of the half-hour program were singing by the Metro- politan Police Quartet—Henry Nestor, Donald Sfegrist, L. C. Bowers and Charles Scott—dancing by a trio from the Earle and another song or two by Josephine Huston. . ‘The crowd lingered until Barnee and his men packed up and went home, then, “tired but happy.” as the old phrase goes, departed jn the knowi- edge that for each that came some child would be made happy on Christ- mas morning. Santa, meanwhile, had slipped quietly away and was off again for his North Pole fairy land. Many of the toy ball goers rose early to take their ehildren to the toy matinees at Warner Bros. theaters. Sand 30 Fest Deep. Sand in the Sahara been found to fverage bet: and 30 feet desp. Toy Drive (Continued Prom First Page.) Earle all week, sent by kindly persons who could not attend the matinees. Numerous busy ones deposited pack- ages before hurrying off to their offices, Mr. Payette said. Later in the day, The season’s heaviest snow seemed to encourage Bros.’ toy matinees this morning, the Righ spat of The Star- um . This scene was taken at thy lcrlalobb{a::,odocktm of i’xxloeul Jolk brought %: of ¢l nd._ perjormance, so that no } CIFTS FOR NEEDY STIL POURING IN Fleet of Trucks Forced to Work Overtime to Col- lect All. Contributions of toys, food, clothing and cash for Washington's needy con-~ tinued to pour in today from Pederal employes to be added to the thousands of articles collected yesterday from Government workers co-operating with The Star, Warner Bros. Theaters, Na- tional Broadcasting Co.. Metropolitan Police Department and the Parent- | Teacher Association to see that no one in the Nation's Capital is forgotten this Christmas, according to an an- nouncement just made by Harry R. Daniel, chief co-ordinator of Federal employes. Overwhelmed at the response of Government organizations working in | the Christmas drive, Daniel said today that many departments and groups in the Government expect to continue donations up to Christmas Eve A fleet of trucks scheduled to make the rounds of all Federal departments and agencies yesterday for a general collection of gifts to be deposited at the Earle Theater was forced to con- tinue operations today, having been unable to pick up all donations now on hand for the campaign. Cash Total Mounts. A total of $624.15 in eash received late yesterday at Daniel's office was growing today as many groups, hith- erto unreported, added substantial sums to that amount. Complete returns on donations re- ceived yesterday are impossible at present, Daniel stated, but early re- ports are gratifying Largest cash contributions reported to date, however, came from the Post Office and Commerce Departments, the former having already turned in $251 e S ————— = * 1 \ | he declared, he might be able to an- | early illusion. it seems. will be per- | nounce more occurate figures. | mitted to remain intact. There is every reason io be opii- | Toys of All Varieties. mistic in the hope that every child in | Piles in each theater contained toys Washington may awake on Christmas | and gifts of every description, and it mornipg to find that Santa Claus has | was noted that a large number of finer visited him after all, officials at the | toys than ever before were brought in. listing agencies, the police and. the There were bicycles, parent-teacher associations, said at | doll houses, sweaters, wagons, mec! a late hour this morning. Many an ieal trains, games, puzzles, picture | Washingtonians to atlend the Warner Warner Bros.-N. B. C. Christmas ing, when thousands mission to @ morning hing @ tmas.—Star Staff Photo. the of be forgotten in Wumfam mw books, bats, balls, shoes, Mickey Mouses, Popeye, teddy bears, jumping jacks—everything to delight the hearts of the young. Crowds came to the matinees, not only from the District, but from near- by Maryland. Today truck loads are being re- moved from the theaters to distribu- tion centers at five schools, Wallach, Curtis, Petworth, Emory and Wheat- ley. where work will begin immedi- ately by the parent-teacher asso- ciations to distribute them. Mothers fathers and teachers will deliver them in their own cars, to addresses listed after weeks of work. and cleared through the Council of Social Agen- cies. ! The downtown theaters reported that many trucks from department stores made deliveries to the doors of the theaters from persons Who had purchased toys and gifts from trieycles, dolls, | them and requested that they be de- | han- | livered to the Warner Bros. toy mati- | nees. | Warner Bros. had prepared their | programs this morning under the | supervision of Frank La Falce, who | gave a great deal of time to making | the sixth annual campaign the most sucecessful ever. All producers donated “mms shown through their local ex- | changes and Washington Local No. | 224 of the Motion Picture Machine Operators’ Protective Union contrib- uted time of its members. Donations were still coming in to- day, after the matinees, and will be acceptéd until Christmas. Federal departments, all precincts of the Metropolitan Police, the Lotus Ree- tdurant and the following apartments and hotels are still collecting for the campaign: The Shoreham, the Willard, the Raleigh, the Carlton, Wardman Park, Cathedral Mansions, Davenport Terrace, the Boulevard, | the Chastleton and 2700 Connecti- cut avenue. Campaign headquarters today re- ceived $100 worth of toys through the kindness of Lansburgh and Bro, department store. Tonight Bill Strickland’s Capitolians |at the Lotus Restaurant are allied | with the campaign over their N. B. C. | broadcast at 11 pm. | However, with results from the toy matinees in, everyone working in the campaign feels that one of the most successful campaigns of its sort ever | held in the United States bas come to the aid of the poor and forlorn | this year.. The following theaters held mati- nees this morning: Earle, Metropoli- tan, Tivoli, Ambegsador, Uptown, Penn, Apollo, Home, York, Colony | and Savoy. Japan to Honor Saito. To commemorate the work of Vis- count Saito, late premier of Japan, who was murdered in February, 1936, an association has been formed to publish his diary and his biography at & cost of $90,000, to be ! equally j Nippon and Korea. |to the campaign and the latter $208.15. | This was in addition to four truck | loads of toys collected yesterday from | the Post Office Department, and hun- | dreds of packages of toys. food and | clothing collected from the Commerce | Department | The Smithsonian Institution report- ed today that Institution employes have & cash contribution of $52.50. in addition to 151 gifts of clothing, food | and toys for the campaign. Census Bureau Responds. | The Census Bureau yesterday turned | in 319 packages, including a large sup- | ply of canned food and clothing as well as toys, in addition to a cash do- nation of $67.92 | Other contributions from the Com- | merce Department included 112 toys | 36 eans of food, 19 articles of clothing and $40.45 from the Bureau of Foreign | and Domestic Commerce, 55 packages | from the Bureau of Standards, 395 gifts and cash totaling $95.01 from the Patent Office. 30 packages of miscel~ laneous gifts from the Bureau of Lighthouses. The Veterans' Administration con- tributed 50 packages including toys, food and clothing in addition to a cash donation of $46.55. Outstanding gifts in this collection were a portable bath, piay pen and baby carriage. A conservative estimate of the Labor Department's contribution was 500 articles of toys, canned goods and clothing in addition to a cash donation of $41.50. From the Navy Department trucks collected 441 cans of food, 148 pack- ages of toys and clothing. A cash do- nation of $46 was sent to Danlels office also during the day. Treasury Supplies Toys and $15. The Treasury Department contribut- ed approximately 200 toys and four large boxes of miscellaneous gifts, be- sides $15 in cash. From the State Department yester- day’s contribution totaled 170 cans of food. 20 toys and a dozen articles of clothing. The Maritime Commission turned in 62 gifts, principally toys. The Electric Home and Farm Au- | thority—with a personnel of only 25 employes—turned in 17 toys, five pairs | of shoes, two articles of clothing and $5.40. The Parm Credit Administration yes- terday donated $15 in cash in additlon to a generous supply of toys. The Resettlement Administration | turned in 500 packages. toys, food and clothing, and $19 in cash. Benefit Dance Tonight. Between 150 and 200 articles of tovx and clothing already have been re ceived from the Agriculture Depart- | ment, and this amount is expected to | be increased greatly by the benefit | Christmas dance tonight in the patio 1 of the Agriculture Building under the | auspices of the department’s Athletic and Recreational Association. In ad- 1 dition two units of the department are | planning special Christmas parties for | Christmas eve, at which donations will | be received for the campaign Reports from other Government | groups were being made today, Danicl declared. The latest Federal organiza- ! tions to join in the campaign, he said. | are the Employes’ Compensation Com- “mu.um and the Buresu of Internz | Revenue. Collections from these grouj will be taken up next weex. M rs.A Roosevelt | To Visit D.C. Jail | To See Crowding; {Complaints Lead to Plan |3 for Inspection by Her December 29. Disturbed by complaints of over- crowded conditions in the District jail Mrs. Franklin D. Roosevelt is planning a personal inspection of the building December 29, it was learned today. ‘The visit originally was planned as a “surprise” inspection. it was said. but word leaked out. Mrs. Roosevelt | will be dccompanied by one of the | Police Court judges. Her visit will be made under the sponsorship of the Corrections Committee of the Wash- ington Council of Social Agencies. | All four of the Police Court judges | recently made an inspection trip to | the workhouse at Occoquan, also said |to be heavily overcrowded. . Deeply interested in welfare and in- stitutional work, Mrs. Roosevelt also has visited the National Training School for Girls and is credited with having brought about an improvement in conditions there and in spurring Paper Plant Urged. The government of Hyderab:d, India,