The Washington times., 1905-12-25
ARMY OF YOUNGSTERS
GET WARM OVERCOATS
Little Applicants for Winter Warmth Well Supplied
Through the Generosity Of Saks & Co-AlI
Appreciate Their Gifts

Following their custom for the last
fifteen Christmas days, Saks & Co.
clothiers and furnishers. gave away this
morning ore hundred overcosts to as
many little boys who applied at the
Seventh street entrance of their build
ing. on Pennsylvania avenue.
Long before 10 o'clock. the appointed
hour for admission. the youngsters be-
gan to arrive. and as they stood there
shivering and stamping their little feet
10 keep warm. the passers-by stopped,
pondered, and pitied.
AS eacl, had to have a card ISSUED
and numbered by the Associated. Chari-
ties who Investigated each case before
recommending it 20 the generosity OF
saks & Co. there was little opportunity
for graft"
Some Pathetic Cases.
Finally the doors were opened and
three youngsters were admitted at a
time. each being "chaperoned" by a
member or friend of the family. They
were greeted by Isaac Cans. the general
manager. and H. Kronheimer. the as
sistant manager of the store. who held
in their hands lists OF the "overeoat
receivers" with a short sketch OF the
or less pathetic-some being described by
the Associated Charities as having d
father dying of a dread. disease and the
mother taking in washing to support
houseful OF babies. In one instance the
report showed that there were two chill
dren in the family. aged nine and six
teen. and the father was making but
IS a week as q walter in restaurant.
de he
dren were hurried TO the clothing coun-
ters in the rear OF the store and There
corps Of employees. including George
Daniel manager of the boys department.;
s. Splitter. j. Rosenberg. c. e. Lang
ley, j. Guy Harbison.' Frank Burk, I
II. Goodman and Charles Bass assisted
in administering the anti-cold treat
ment" The almost lightning-hke rapid
" with which the boys slipped into the
melton and cashmere overcoats and
ulsters or the neat Buster Brown
Jackets, reminded one OF the presto
change inpersonators on the stage.
Wanted Better Fits"
Occasionally. however. some fond
mother delayed the ceremony By want
ing to try Johnny in some other coat
to get a better it" Johnny did not
seem TO care nnQcn- however, d. iOiS dS
there were five OF six pockets inside the
coat and four buttons outside
Fitted suugly and warmly the young |
sters proceeded out of the front entrance |
20 the averue. Before doing so some |
turned and thanked the donor. while I
others left that ceremony 10 their guar !
dIans 10 perform. Occasionally the only |
thanks was expressed facially. Much. |
amusement was afforded TO the clerks |
by the naive insinGations Of some OF !
the boys that rhey would rot mind the |
shoe counter
When Gratis Was Feared.
Some seasons SaIs & Co. gave shoes
,yhen they noticed the little feI-
lows extremities needed warmth. But
so many came the following year with |
remarkably tattered shoes that a /
graft" epidemic was feared to have |
broken out among the little army Of /
overcoat seekers Not a few Of the I
faces that appeared this morning were
familiar 20 the managers Of the store /
who had seen them on similar occa-
sions.
Occasionally some large boy came !
with u card. and il was feared he might /
have worked the transfer system.
which is not allowable. A glance at the