The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-12-26
TRAGEDY MARKS
 CHRISTMAS DAY Two Foreigners Blow Out the
 Gas Upon Retiring Qu|EIyst>..'y WASHINGTON 0 ,el Yuletide Celebration Was a Christmas Tree on an Eastbound
 Train From Los Angeles for
 Benefit of Passengers.

New York, December 25-Christmas day in New York was marked by the customary suspension of business, and the usual family reunions and generous out of public and private charity. Fully 200,0 GOO poor persons partook of the bountiful Christmas fare provided in all the city hospitals, and asylums, missions and other benevolent institutions, sup ported by private charity and at the an- nual distribution of dinners by the Sal vation Army, and the Volunteers of Amer ica
 At the Grand Central Palace the distri- dution of Christmas dinner baskets by the Salvation Army began early in the morn ing and continued until the needs Of nearly 5000 families had been relieved. In addition to this, numerous bundles Of clothing for children and adults were 
 At the Bowery Mission more than 2000 human derelicts were fed, and as many more were entertained at the City Lodg- ing house. Five thousand newsboys feast ed at the expense of Randolph Guggen- heimer at the Newsboys Club house in East Fourth street, and the usual din ner for the little fellows was served at the Newsboys' Lodging house.
 Sullivan Dispenses Cheer.
 Congressman Timothy D. Sullivan dis pensed Christmas cheer and presents of pipes and tobacco to nearly 5000 men at s.. DO.
 At the Manhattan state hospital, on Wards island, more than four thousand insane persons partook of a. Christmas and in the evening participated in the annual distribution of presents followed by the customary ball in the hall
 Found Dead in Bed
 A tragic interruption of the Christmas festivities occurred at the,-home of Mrs Paul Raymond, when her stepbrother John Muscow, and his friend, Casmun who had been invited to join a family re- union. were found dead in bed this morn ing. The men who had recently arrived from Russia, were unacquainted with the use of Illuminating gas and blew 1t out when they retired last night Another fatality of the day was that of 5-year-old Sadie O'Neill, who was burned to death by her clothing catching fire from a Christmas tree at her home in East One Hundred and Second street
 In accordance with the naval custom of observing Christmas day as a holiday all work beyond what was absolutely necessary was dispensed with today aboard the battleships Alabama, Massa- chusetts, Iowa and Maine at the Brook lyn navy yard, and the cruisers Brooklyn and Galveston at Tompkinsvlle. and about 2000 blue jackets and marines re- ceived shore leave for the day.
 Business Suspends in Washington.
 Washington, December 25.-Ofhcial Washington celebrated Christmas by a general suspension of governmental busi- ness All the government departments were closed to public business. Some of the cabinet officers, however were at their desks for time attending to important mail and telegraphic advises.
 President Roosevelt appeared a his of- flee only long enough to dispose of a few matters of importance which demand ed his attention. He did not attend church services, remaining during the morning hours with the members of his family. Intimate personal friends call ed at the White House in the morning hours.
 During the morning there was q gen eral gift-giving' at the White House, con fined practically to members of the fam fly The Presidents third son, Archie, as usual. had a Christmas tree in his own room and from that he distributed his gifts to the family and the house. hold people.
 During the afternoon the President and Mrs Roosevelt went for a long ride. A family dinner was given at the White House later in the day. Among the guests was Representative Nicholas Long, worth
 No Regular Cabinet Meetings.
 The President has notified the mem- bers of his cabinet that during the pres ent week there will be no regular meet ings of the cabinet He will receive unless their business Is imperative. It is the Presidents purpose to make this truly holiday week.
 The Vice President and Mrs. Fairbanks entertained d party of friends at their home today. They expect to leave for Indianapolis tonight to spend the re- mainder of the holidays
 The members of the cabinet passed the day with their families and friends at their homes.
 Throughout the city business generally was suspended and the day was very like a Sunday in the national capitol.
 Christmas Tree on Train.
 Daggett, Cal. December 25.-A Christ