Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-12-25
THE MYSTIC SHRINE
Almas Temple Furnishes
Dinners to the Poor.
ANNUAL DISTRIBUTION
LARGER NUMBER SENT OUT THAN
ANY PREVIOUS YEAR.
Many Homes Made Happy by the De
livery of the Baskets--Christmas
mas Trees and Candies.
ANNUAL DISTRIBUTION

Beginning early this morning and con-
tinuing until well into the afternoon wagons
were leaving National Rifles Armory to
deliver the bounties of Washington Mystic
Shriners. In pursuit of its established Gus
tom Almas Temple of the Ancient and Ara
bic order made many homes happy today
by furnishing Christmas dinners.
The scene at National Rifles Armory.
where the Christmas baskets We're pre-
pared for distribution, was lively one.
The work lasted all through the night, and
many Shriners aided in the preparation of
the baskets There were tired but happy
few still at work this morning when re-
leved by others who came TO take in charge
the work of delivery. They found rows on
rows of baskets, each containing material
for the amplest kind of big family din
ner. These rows entirely covered the lower
floor of the armory and overflowed into
adjacent rooms
This years distribution is the largest
known in the history of Almas, although
it was thought the limit had been reached
by the record made last year, which was
of fifteen hundred baskets. But they went
one better this year
The members of Almas Temple are very
happy at the success attending their unique
and substantial Christmas observance but
are fully conscious that they have not been
able to do all that could or should be DONE
and hope to do even more in the future, for
Almas Christmas charity will probably be
maze permanent feature by the temple.
The Fund for the Dinner
The fund from which the baskets are
provided has for its foundation the entire
net proceeds of an annual excursion given
by the temple each summer to some point
down the river. To this sum is added large
| donations of money and foodstufrs by in
nhar nf
friends. 1t Is also feature of this
| charity that all the teams are donated for
the delivery, and that committees of Shrin-
ers go to each house and deliver In person
Almas Christmas offering. The city has
been carefully divided into delivery routes.
Inere were about forty Of these routes this
year, and each delivery wagon according
to size Of territory. distributed from thirty
to sixty OF the baskets Each basket com
tanned large ham, sack of four, plum
pCdding, three pounds of sugar, a big can
OF Boston baked beans, coffee and pota-
toes.
1t was pleasant sight to witness the
various delivery committees departing from
the National Rifles Armory on their
charitable missions, but 1t was even more
interesting to witness their return, tagged
out dripping wet from the sleety rain. and
oiten too hoarse to more than whisper
But all were happy by reason of the good
work done, and each had touching stories
or the gratitude shown by many recipients
and of hundreds of cases of dire need
temporarily relieved. Some had visited
houses In which lay unburied dead, others
those where fatal sickness prevailed and
extreme poverty existed. In most cases the
wants were not quite SO acute but it was
great delight to give worthy families un-
expected and hearty Christmas cheer Es-
pecially grateful were widows with fam
lies OF small children, many Of whom were
on n Almas list of guests today
Ihe committee Of mobiles which under
ofa ENyaI Wy
had charge Of the great work Of furnishing
Christmas dinners for 10000 persons, was
composed of William L. Hughes. chairman;
DR.. Gosling. Frank McKnew, Mai. 8. Por
ter House. Charles E. Bernhardt Thomas
Mitchell Wallace Streeter and Sidney %.
Jacobs. They were aided by many volun-
work was thoroughly we'll done.
Christmas Trees for the Children
AS soon as the distribution was over and
the floor of the armory cleared Almas
Temples Christmas trees for children were
set up. With the assistance Of many ladies'
Thousands Of little stockings had been
flled with nuts and candles. These were
heaped on tables near the Christmas trees
which were themselves bright with rib
oons ana the little paper decorations that
SO delight the heart Of childhood Noble
William A. Haley's band was present and
gave an excellent musical entertainment
for the little ones.
The preparations were all completed by
O'Clock. John A. Elhnger rigged out in a
complete costume of Eskimo furs and dis
guised IN snow-white wig and beard i'm
personated Santa Claus. and handed to
every young visitor stockings full of CANDY
and nuts: There were a great many OF the
little callers, although owing to the damp
ness OF the weather the attendance was not
quite as large as last year. Once inside the
armory, however, the little folks forgot all
about the weather. The storm didn't trou-
PIE them any more than 1t did the bird on
the old peach tree in the nurserv rbvma m
They enjoyed the warmth. the trees, he
decorations, the presents and, above all.
the music. Each child was allowed to re-
will be about $50 p.m., when they will %
away delighted.
Many lacies and gentlemen were present.
ana enjoyed the pleasure of the small peo-
pie nearly as much as the little folks them