The San Francisco call., 1906-12-23
SANTA CLAUS IS
FREEHANOED
Aids the Salvation Army
in Delivering of Good
les at Central Theater
MUSIC, CANDY, TOYS

happy and entirely successful
Christmas tree entertainment for the
poor children Of the city was given
last night at the Central Theater under
the auspices OF the Salvation Army.
Two immense trees. brilliantly light
ed by incandescent lamps and loaded
down with toys, moving pictures, en-
tertaining addresses by many prom
inent people of the State, music by the
band and lastly the distribution Of n
wonderland OF toys by fat. merry Santa
Clauses, combined to give the little
ones the time Of their lives.
In the absence of Lieutenant Gov
crnor Alder Anderson, Colonel French
Of the army acted as chairman Of the
evening, introducing II. J. Mccoy, sec
retary Of the Y. NJ. c. A. who made the
opening address and talked to the boys
and girls in happy vein on the joys of
Christmas, his address being followed
az intervals by addresses from members
Of the clergy, the bar. and prominent
people in all walks Of life, who found
time in this busy season TO help in
the good work that the Salvation Army
is always carrying on
Colonel and Mrs. French of the army
received in the reception room on the
stage OF the theater. welcoming the
special guests, who were met by STAFF
y dlLIlL LAY dl Allt cAdSc 6nllduCt On
Eighth street Brigadier r. Dublin,
general secretary to Colonel French,
had charge OF the programme, and
Major John Willis, secretary of the
junior work Of the Salvation Army,
looked after the Santa Clauses who
distributed the candy and toys from
the big Christmas trees.
Armed with the tickets that entitled
them TO toys, the happy-faced children
flocked TO the front in glad anticipa-
ton Of the treat that was in store for
them Gayly decked and festooned, the
trees blazed forth a merry welcome
and promised hidden mysteries in the
form Of toy camels, tin guns and heaps
Of candy that must arrive when jolly
old Santa Claus drops in to scatter his
offerings 10 anxious watchers. The
music Of the band. the songs by the
quartet, the speeches. the moving pic
lures. all received their due attention,
but the eager eyes were always rest
lessly peering among the fairy-like
branches of the trees. waiting, watch
ing for the final glad moment.
When Santa Claus did arrive he had
to come double and with assistants: the
task OF supplying that eager throng
was too much for any single-handed
Santa, clever as he might be.
In spite Of the many obstacles which
the salvation Army has had to over
come this year to provide its annual
Entertainment for the children of the
poor, the number and variety of the
toys distributed were really remark
able. Drums. jumping jacks. dolls,
games. horns, woolly lambs and
bumpy elephants there Were and
enough to warm each particular
fast-beating heart Many of the
usual sources OF income to the
army have failed this year. Merchants
who in the past have sent in big con-
tributions Of fruit. candy, meat, gro
ceries and toys are out of business, and.
consequently, these gifts were not
forthcoming. The congested condition
OF the mails has held back many cash
contributions. but in spite of these and
many other drawbacks, the good work
Of the army goes on 1t is now pre-
pairing TO send baskets Of uncooked
food 10 all widows, orphans, cripples
sick and aged people on tomorrow
afternoon, so they viii have time to
prepare il for the dinner on the Christ
mas morrow. The army has wagon
loads of all the good things for a regu-
lation Christmas dinner