New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-12-26
THE ARMY FEEDS $4,000.
MAYOR SPEAKS TO DINERS.
Meals for go 900 in SaIUation Baskets
Clothing Distributed.

The Salvation Army dinner. at which Mayor
Low spoke. was feature Of New-York's Christ
mas Day and the occasion of many little acts
OF herOisn and self-sacridce by those who took
part in it. If not unmarked by pathos and
tragedy, it brought to light a cheerfulness and
good Fellowship on the part Of the East Side
and the lettered avenues which might put The
Avenue to the blush.
Beginning at 10 a m, in keeping with it's
annual custom. five thousand baskets, each con-
tanning a. substantial Christmas dinner for a
family of five persons. were distributed by the
Salvation Army at the Grand Central Palace
At night five thousand persons sat down to
dinner at the same place The entire number
fed by the army was estimated at twenty-five
thousand
General Booth-Tucker was In personal charge
OF the days feeding campaign, assisted by the
entire stan Of the army in this city Two hun
dred and fifty army lasses assisted in the dis
tribution OF the baskets. and then turned in
and prepared the mammoth feast of the even
ing. 1t was the eighth Christmas distribution.
the first being In celebration Of Commander
Booth-Tucker's arrival in America.
Long before many New-Yorkers had begun
r. th,r-1 ~ rising from their beds the line of
hungry persons. representing e portion Of the
city's poor. had begun to form in Forty-third-
81. 44S4l NOIuSu ana cQ1IQrel, Irrespective of
color or creed many poorly dressed that they
shvered in the damp, cheerless cold Of the morn
ing, waited patiently for the doors to open.
General Booth-Tucker was among the first IN
arrive. and he at once ordered the Palace thrown
open, so that the people could escape the cold
and rain.
CLOTHING FOR THE SHIVERING.
Captain German was on hand with seventy
Gr-ov
call for their services for the crowd was or
derly. Despite the drizzle. it was a good natured
throng, typical of the better class of the poor
Old men and women with white hair and
wrinkled faces tottering along smiIingly; care
worn mothers with babies snuggled close to
their breasts. but smiling and happy, too little
fathers and little mothers" scarce big enough
to struggle under the weight Of big baskets
stood in line. laughing and jesting. waiting for
the word of open house. to come
Piled high on the large stage inside were hun
dreds and hundreds Of baskets. each containing
turkey. pound of tea or coffee. a can of SOUP
potatoes. turnips apples oranges and a plurn
pudding, Veritable feast On the main floor
twenty-seven long tables were piled four high
and in a solid mass with baskets, each awaiting
its claimant. For months the members Of the
army have done something else besides "Keep-
ing Iu6 rot bOlLnS- Each individual "a
ported had been investigated. and no tickets for
baskets had been given out except to the desery-
ing.
Soon after 10 o'clock the National Staff Band
OF the army. fifty pieces. took it's place in the
second balcony. and. to the air Of For Old
Glory the doors leading to the main hall were
thrown open. In the mean time General Booth
Tucker and his staff officers had taken positions
on the front OF the stage and at the long rows
of tables.
In the next few hours surging ever moving
happy crowd passed in single file down the
aisles- A basket was placed in each outstretched
hand, and some kindly word OF greeting accom-
panied it. General Booth Tucker personally
shook hands and said a few words to all OF
those that could reach him
The decorations were elaborate SUSPENDED
from the centre OF the roof were hundreds of
trt-colored streamers. while the two tiers Of
boxes were lavishly draped with evergreen
holly and the national colors A huge niece
composed of Japanese lanterns and flags was
suspended over the centre of the big improvised
dining hall. over the stage was a banner bear
ing the word. Welcome" Opposite was a ban
inscribed. "God Bless You" On either side
were the legends, Merry Christmas" and
Happy New Year.
One OF the most touching sights was the dis
tribution Of cIothing-practically an innovation
this year. Four great vans arrived at the Grand
Central Palace at a. m. packed to their utmost
capacity. They contained suits, overcoats
dresses. stockings, shoes-every conceivable kind
of garment. As men, women and children
entered the place they were noticed by a staff
Of officers. If their clothing was thin or worn
they were directed to go to Captain Nice. Hun
dreds of shvering. thinly clad persons not only
went home with heaping baskets OF good
things but complete new outfits. Not only
that. but Captain Nice furnished all cripples
aged and infirm. as well as the women with
children who lived at any distance with car
fare to their homes
With each basket was Christmas number OF
Continued second page.