The San Francisco call., 1899-12-26
President Spends Very
Quiet Day.
NO CALLERS AT WHITE HOUSE
THOUSANDS OF POOR FED IN
NEW YORK.
Salvation Army Very Successfully
Conducts a Monster Feast in
Madison Square
Garden.
SPECIAL pisra,eh to The can.

WASHINGTON. Dec. 25-Christmas
Cav. always quiet AT the nations capital,
was unusually so to-day. All OF the eN-
ccutve departments were closed and
practically an the members OF both
branches OF Congress were out OF the
city.
Services were held IN many churches,
and as the dinner hour approached the
streets were deserted.
Al the White House O. quiet day was
spent About 10 O'Clock the President
took a walk alone through the grounds
az the south OF the mansion and then
Joined Mrs Mckinley in the family Nv
ing room. There were no callers and no
guests Neither attended church and at
Jhe usual hour they d-ned alone.
NEW YORK. Dec. 25-Church bells and
music, feastlng, matnccs and happiness
generally were the features OF to-day
celebration. no one had 70 go without
"a Christmas dinner in this city. Ihe
greatest CNcmpllCatou OF this was seen
at Madison-square Garden, where the
salvation Army led thousands by the dls-
rrbution OF .2i0 baskets with food enough
Tor i've persons ID each basket SIX thou
sand more dinners VIII be served on the
main floor az O'Clock this evening
From ID 20 2 o'clock this afternoon the
distributing of The baskets took place,
and the thousands Ct spectators ia the
gallery We're much edited by the spec
1ertainmcut was given cNcrX .etlr from II
O'Clock and VIII not concErsS.z until 10
O'Clock Tonight Drchest ~ ana vocal
music added 10 the geueraIN2joyment Of
the occasion.
Tho early morning scenes at the garden
were as uuusul as they We're interest
ing. Never before has charity been dis
pensed on SO large a scale, and the sal
walton Army people have been working
hard Tor month 10 make this nrOoig-
iogs eisTeusatlOn "a success. Although
THH Tlfsfl
rle. AT least lalt again that number ap-
DEareQ and The army officers, bF olnt at
strenuous efforts, met the requirements.
In All me public institutions the inmates
Were generously provided with Christm
cheer bT the authorities. The ueWSbOyS
came in for their share OF good things at
Brace Memorial Hail and various other
places. Every sunday school in the city
either had its Christmas tree or viii have
rs tesuElues tonight or some time this
week. Many OF the public school classes
are holding exercises to-day in various
halls.
owing TO Christmas having fallen on
Monday, an opportunity was Afforded
people 10 leave town, and many took ad-
vantage ot the occasion. II Is reported
10y The railroads that the out-Of-town
travel on saturday was unprecedented,
and the incoming traffic Of country visit
ors seems 10 have been as great. At the
thearers it is reported that the demand
FOR seats exceeds that Of last year, and
Christmas performances seem 10 be as
popular now as the proverbial pantO-
mines ~ years ago IN England.
At most Of the churches in the city
there We're elaborate musical programmes
and there was large attendance at all
the services
PHILADELPHIA. Dec. 25-Christmas
in this city witnessed as never before the
fruits of charity. The destitute received
food and clothing. the sick were given
medical attention and poor children were
rendered happy by gifts Of necessities,
sweetmeats and knicknacks.
A dinner for 5000 people was provided by
the Salvation Army and baskets Of food
were distributed among poor families.
The American Volunteers furnished din
nCrs in similar way 10 about 5000 poor
children and the Protestant Episcopal
city Mission fed about 1000 individuals
The thlldrcn's Christmas Club gave fits
annual dinner 20 1000 poor boys and girls
and distributed TOYS among them. Hos
pitfalls We're remembered by the flower
mission and the Children's Aid Society
distributed gifts among 500 children.