The evening times., 1897-12-25
sAKs & Co. AID POOR BOYS
Their Annual Distribution Of
One Hundred OyercOafs.
HELP GIVEN TO THE NEEDY
Many DeseI wing Cases, But Most of
the Boys Were Clad in Better
Clothes Than on Former Orca-
sions-In stances Where Three
Tickets Went to One Family.

The distribution of 100 oyercoats by
with their annual custom, took place
this morning.
The first coats were given out at 8
O'Clock, wheI four poorly, and shiv-
seven and nine, were admitted through
one of its eastern entrances to the stores.
They were uuacconpanied by ar.nt or
playmate, even IL they We're fortunate
enough to have either. As soon as they
entered they gave up their tickets, whrch
had been distributed, at the re,I,I st of
Mr.. Saks, by the police. and they ere
given over into the charge or four or the
firm.
Arranged IN neat piles along The side
OF the store was good selection II serv-
iceable overcoats for youths OF every age
from four to twelve years. There were
many moie coats than there Youths.
but they Were arranged In ora. each
boy might get coat that would fit. ard
not one that would fit some other person.
as is done ty Government Indian SCENTS
on the plains.
When thu smallest OF the boys saw this
array OF warm garments hiss y IS frightened
as though new world had suddenly
opened before him. A hog in better circun.-
stances would have selected this brown
coat" or that long black one with fur IN
the CT llar," but not so with this little
fellow. He was poorly clad and shiv = d
with cold, even in the warm apartment
store. and was only too glad to get any
kind or style ofcoat, provided it was warm,
and when he was fitted with one of th..
prettiest in the selection he left the place,
the happiest boy in the city.
The other boys were fitted four at a
TIM. until the entire hundred mad been
clothed. Among the number we're se-.ril
particularly deserving cases, but. On the
whole, the boys We're better clad AMI ap-
parently not as needy looking as many of
those who have been supplied with coats
by Saks & Co. in former years. In two
or three cases three children fro,n ore
family presented tickets.
Another striking thing that impressed
several Of the persons " ho witnessed the
distribution today was the fact hat among
the number supplied with coats were three
messenger boys. One of these wore three
coats and, although he was given an over
coat by Messrs. Saks because he presented
a ticket. 1t is a question in the minds Of
some whether lie was really as deserving
of the present AZ would have been a
youth without any employment at all.
The only thing to detract from .hc ess-
tribut.on was the thought that some u ole
deserving youths might have been negle 3ted
in this way. With this one exception the
undertaking was a success and frorght
with much good for many families.
Believing the police department to be
the best medium for the distribution of the
tickets. on account of the Familiarity Of
the patrolrnen with persons in distress on
their different heats, the tickets were sent
to Major Moore, with the request that he
have them distributed, and the Ma jor Iii
rected Clerk Sylvester to give the tickets to
thei,oifce for distribution among the worthy
poor.
Messrs. eaks received the following
letter from the department yesterday:
Metropolitan Police Department
washington, Dec. 81, 1897.
''Messrs saks Co., Washington, D. C.:
"Gentlemen-I am directed by Major
William G. Moore, superint endent, TO
acknowledge your usual Christmas com
munication, inclosing tickets for overcoats
to be given 100 poor boys, between the
ages Of four and twelve years, who are
without and vito are unable to provide
themselves with such. The tickets have
been Issued, as requested
Wishing you a Merry Christmas snd
Happy New Year, permit me to be. very
respectfully. RICHARD SYLVESTER,
..Chief Clars, ~