The Montgomery advertiser., 1905-12-23
Charity Fund of Elks Lodge
 is Large.
Christmas Trade Has Been Very Heavs But Today will Bring Most Work
 --An Automobile Santa Claus.

The Christmas charity fund of the Montgomery Lodge of Elks is this year generously large. The annual distribution of charity made by the Elks each year will be larger this Christmas that 1t was ever before in Montgomery.
 The committee from the lodge. a committee of which pr. H. s. Persons is chairman, has met with gratifying success The committee confidently expects that on Christmas Day 1t will be able to distribute among the poor of Montgomery at least 150 baskets of provisions and 150 barrels of coal IL is no secret that this year, so wide has the charity of the Elks been recogniz- ed. that the Christmas contributions are larger than ever before.
 From the Elks yesterday there went Ia graceful Christmas offering to the inmates of the Working Woman's Home. There are thirty old ladies spending the evening of life within the protecting walls of the splendid insti- tuition and to each of the thirty. the Elks yesterday sent new one dollar bill. It was sent out in expression of the purpose of the Elks that each in- mate should have some spending mon ey for the holidays, should have some means to buy any luxury she might wish.
 The baskets sent out by the Elks go out from the home Christmas morn- ing. They are prepared in advance. big baskets we'll filled with provisions and each basket representing no incon- siderable cost. This year not only will the baskets go out. put with each basket will be sent barrel of coal.
 For over 8 week the Elks have been looking for and noting the names of those to whom fortune has not been kind. A list has ben kept at the po- lice headquarters and the patrolmen have been requested to bring in the names of the needy whose wants may have chanced to fall under the eyes of the policemen. Notice of the annual distribution has been sent abroad and the public generally have been invited to send in the names Of those who may need assistance on Christmas Day. Requests have been madS of the minis ters of the city to help In the distri- button of the charity to the extent of sending names of the hefpiess poor to members or officers of the Elks.
 The planned distribution of the Elks will no doubt be the largest or ganized charity of the holiday season. To the general knowledss of the chari- ty of the Eiks is attributed the gen. erous contributions which have placed under obligation to the givers, both the Elks and the needy poor of Montgom- cry. The committee has experienced but little difficulty in discharging it's self apointed task of raising the nec- essary funds. Busipsss men were quick to respond. Clocks and money came to the committee at times unso- licited, but the committee kept at its task The wholesale merchants of Montgomery were no less generous in the making of gifts of provisions and the necessities of life. A we'll known syrup concern of Montgomery gave 10s gallon cans of fine syrup. to be sent out with the baskets and the bar. rels of coal.
 The committee which has in charge this big work is composed of Dr. H. Persons, chairman; C. L. Campbell, Secretary and Treasurer. and Messrs Naham Greil. Julius Rice H. B. Mab- son, l.. c. Cardinal and pr. A. c. Kill patrick.
 Other members of the order, however, ara earnestly helping in the work. The wagons which go forth from the Elks Home on Christmas Day will each be accompanied by a we'll known Elk.