Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-12-22


There was . Christmas scene enacted In the
Office Of the superintendent of public schools
this morning. Supt Powell held an important
conference with tho supervising principals
relative to the arrangements Tor the Christmas
| offerings which the children Of Washington
will make to the poor Of the city. A announced
in The STAR the homes where Christmas good
cheer is not likely to enter unless it comes
through those who have the real Christmas
spirit are not to be neglected. A in
the past the children who have done
30 much for those less fortunate than them
selves through the Children's Christmas clubs
will this year continue their kindly work. There
Will be no dinners given by the Christmas clubs
but IN every school in the District the children
either have been notified or will be today that
they can bring gifts Of clothing and provisions
to the schools tomorrow morning, which will
be the last day the schools will be open before
the Christmas holidays. The children wall be
told that proper care will be exercised to see
that these gifts reach those who stand in need
OF them 80 that on Christmas day the
hearts Of the poor and unfortunate viii be
gladdened and The hungry will be fed and the
thinly clad will be properly clothed. Persons
charltably inclined who have no children in
the public schools can send donations to the
nearest public school building Wednesday
morning.
Al the meeting this morning the supervising
principals decided that the supplies thus re-
ceived will be distributed to the needy through
the police, the Associated Charities or the
Grand Army relief committee. Notices will be
sent 10 these agencies informing them where
the supplies intended for them can be found.
lnose who contribute may indicate il they
choose through what agency they would like to
have their donations distributed aad their
wishes Will be complied with.
A. -.
the public schools, the police, the Associated
Charities and the Grand Army-tbe whole
community will be able TO take par t Christmas
eve in grand donation party, and Christmas
Gay will be the merrier from the thought that
NJ q, least some OF its joy has been carried into
the homes Of the poor.
WHAT MAJ. MOORE SAYS Is NEEDED.
MAJ. Moore, in speaking to q STAR reporter
today OF the donations to be made BY the
school children and others, said that the most
useful articles-such as clothes, food and fuel
would be most acceptable. Solid food, he said
Is Is what the people are greatly in need Of, and
tney must also be kept warm and have enough
c!otning to wear to make themselves presenta-
pie on the streeta While the children cannot
Dring fuel, he said, they can bring orders for
wood and coal and such orders viii be thank
fully received
The police department, the major said, Is
always glad to act as agents OF the public and
distribute articles to the POOR and the officers
VIII do all in their power to see that the arti-
cies are given where they are most needed. In
the course OF their travels, the major said, the
ofhcers go in every nook and corner Of their
beats and they necessarily learn of cases Of
urgent need. and it is those in greatest need
who will get what is contributed.
THE ASSOCIATED CHARITIES.
At the Office of the associated charities TODAY
the STAR reporter was informed that the things
most needed and desirable were the necessaries
OF Ife-substantial provisions, clothing and
| fuel The associated charities will undertake
to distribute such supplies among the needy
and II money is contributed to convert the
money into needed articles and distribute them.
The organization is giving out and will give
out all the supplies it can obtain. In the case
OF finding any G. A. r. man or G. A. X. man 8
widow or orphans in needy circumstances they
turn the case over to the G. A. r. relief COM
mIttes at the request of that committee.
THE GRAND ARMY COMMITTEE
at looks now as though there would no. be q
| single person in this city who will have to go
hungry on Christmas day, I" said Mr.. A. S. Taber,
chairman of the relief committee of the G. A. r.,
to a STAR reporter this afternoon. Judging
by the liberal donations that were made for
their relief last year and what has already
been done this year it is safe to say that
| every one in Washington will be able to
realize that Christmas is festival
OF gladness indeed. As was stated in The STAR
last evening, all contributions for the needy
will be distributed through the Associated
Charities. the police department and the G. A.
r. committee. To reach all who are really in
need Is no small labor, You may be sure, and it
will require very liberal contributions to ac-
complish this worthy object.
''As usual the @. A. R. will endeavor to reach
all who are in need and who have any claim
upon the consideration OF that organization.
The Washington Light Infantry have gener-
| ously rendered us the use of their armory for
a relief headquarters, and all contributions
| should be sent there. Or if those who have
anything to give will only communicate with
| the committee at the GAR Hall we will call at
their houses or places of business to
collect whatever they have, no matter how
| small it may be, for it will help to that ex-
tent. Why, if every grocer or other merchant
| would spare a little out of his stock the poor
would have all they want II they would only
give can OF corn or a piece OF bacon it would
be O great assistance.
| that poor man, woman or child would need
| In the way OF food clothing, the bar0
necessarie5 OF life and any of the comforts.
We will devote tomorrow to collecting al
the articles that are donated and the
Will be made up X parcels for dis
tribution. At O'Clock on the day befor
Christmas our wagons will start out AZ
by O'Clock we hope to reach all the homes
Each family will receive provisions and cloth
ing in amounts in proportion TO the size of the
families. This year we are going to substitute
chickens for turkeys, as we think they will
prove more satisfactory. Beside this in each
bag will be placed vegetables, bread, -four. tea,
DC. Several bakers have donated loayes OF
bread by the hundred, but there is no danger of
having too many. or too much OF anything
One member Of Congress sent rs an order for
ton Of coal, and this will be divided up into
four portions for the relief Of as many families
SO you see anything comes in handy at this sea-
son OF the year. Let the people only send to
the school buildings their donations Of articles,
and they may be sure that everything they
send will be put to good service and will be sp-
preciated.
Last year the G. A. R. sent out ten tons of
provisions. In all probability we will largely
exceed this amount this year, All our COM
mittees have been at work examining into ap-
plications for assistance to SEQ that only de-
serving cases are provided for. All appiica-
tons should be sent in to the headquarters by
tonight, either by letter or in person. II there
is any money left after all the work is finished
it will be expended in the purchase of fuel.
which will be almost as acceptable as food and
clothing"
RUMOR NOT CREDITED.
That Capt. Har(iee's Troop Had Beeh Sur.