New-York tribune., 1907-12-26
RUSY DAY FOR BOOTHS.
Sa1ration Army and Volunteers
Brine .JOu to Thousands

Az usra1 on Christmas the Salvation Army and
its kindred organization, the Volunteers CT Amer
lea, devoted much time yesterday IL not more
to making comfortable the bodies or men as 10
saving their souls Both organizations believe that
If soul has fairly comfortable habitation us
chances of salvation considerably improved.
Shiftless and unfortunate, luclless and homeless
wanderer criminal and hard working laborer.
tramp and workless clerk and their wives and
sisters rubbed shoulders when these aimoners OF
pubIcs bounty tried to feed all those who were
hungry
Following its usual policy the Salvation Army
gave out family baskets whenever possible, ana
many family ate well where for days the posslbii-
fly OF even dry loaf Christmas had been prob
lematica:. Thanks to the Army, these had tur-
key dinner, with everything with it, according to
tradition Commander Eva Booth handed out the
first basket in the old 69th Regiment Armory. and
in short while her officers had distributed 1000
similar baskets. Even then many were turned
away disappointed, although nearly $1,000 collected
by the lassies bleak wind swept corners had
been spent In each basket was a five or six
pound chicken, loaf of bread potatoes and turnips
enough for five, can of soup half pound each
of tea and coffee, apples and oranges and copy
of The Warcry."
The old drill hall was transformed for the occa-
sion with evergreens. flags banners and the great
pyramids of baskets, while the Salvation Army
Headquarters Band played religious music or the
popular airs which the army has converted to its
To those whose clothes seemed to be IN
a particularly bad condition Miss Booth gave
clothing tickets and further along in the line a
bundle of suitable clothing handed to those
with the tickets Likewise an attendant with
pocketful of nickels gave one to each who asked
for carfare
To each he she along in the line
Miss Booth gave her kindly Merry Christmasl
coupling it with God bless you!' and hand
clasp If there time. Finally after she mad
personally handed out more than LOCO baskets, she
became well nigh exhausted. and had to turn the
task to of those who surrounded her
For while she remained at the hall The last
ticket holder had come in at 1870 O'Clock ana the
last clothing ticket was given out. Then an at
tempt was made to give out the remaining o0o difi-
ners to those who needy and had no uckets
Besides the reserves from the 9Th street sta'lor
Captain Shaw, of that precinct, in charge had
twentv-four noIice from other precincts Perfect
order was maintained and not arrest was mace
for crowding, nor. as sometimes occurred iof
raid on the dinner basket of some boy or girl 100
small to protect 1t successfully The army officers
estimated that in all 21,5oO dinners were distributed
Immediately in charge and assisting Commander
Booth Were Colonel William Beard. second IN COM
mand in this country; Colonel w. H Cox editor or
The warcry"; Colonel William Mcintyre. Colonel
Adam Clifford, Lieutenant Colonel Parker ana
Brigadier Ferris Miss Booth left before the dis
tribution was completed to participate in other
Army exercises at various points throughout the
city, making q flying trip by automobile
Miss Booth got to the Salvation Army headquar-
ters in 14th street in the evening about 7o o'clock
There were at least fifteen hundred children on
hand waiting for her. and almost as large NUM-
Der of mothers and fathers to say nothing OF old
Santa Claus himself. who was standing guard over
a large Christmas tree the PLATFORM which
lowered many times high as the old white
bearded patrons head.
Arrangements for handling the crowd had been
carefully made. Sergeant Creede, of the Charles
street station with a detail OF policemen, stood
guard in the lower hall On the floor above Major
Joseph Sheppard, armed with negaphone. and
fanked either side by a platoon or two of Sal
walton Army soldiers and lassles as well as an
energetic group of cadets from the training school,
directed operations seating the little ones and
their parents
Miss Booth welcomed the children by throwing
to them a Christmas kiss which all girls and
women and all men mot more than three feet
tall" according TO her announcement. privi-
legged TO return. The demonstration that followed
sounded like the exploding of pack of fire.
crackers. The boys when the trees had been rled
of their trappngs got wagons and toys of all sorts
The girls received dolls and dolls carriages and
games and as each child parent passed through
the doorway, route for home. he or she re
ceived box of candy and apple crowning
piece for all the luxury of the day.
1t was not until well toward midnight that the
last guest had left the building
Miss Booth also visited. in the afternoon and
evening, Harlem Hall. where presents were given
to four hundred: the Swedish Citadel. where gifts
were distributed; the Cherry Street Settlement,
where three hundred cared for, and the New
York Industrial Home where the needs of three
hundred were looked after. She also made fly
ing trip to posts in Brooklyn on a like mission.
More than fifteen hundred Christmas dinner
packages were prepared for distribution In Manhat
tan by the Volunteers of America. There
points of distrbution-at the mission. at No 80
Cooper Square. and No. 234 West goth street.
More than nine hundred packages. with enough in
them for dinner for from six to ten persons. were
! handed out at the downtown mission.
The packages contained from six TO ten pounds
of beef potatoes. apples, tea, rice, sugar, two
three loaves of bread and two kinds of vegetables.
! The distribution under the direction Of Adju
/ tant J. NJ Conway. in the absence Of General Bal
! lington Booth, who too i'll to take active
part in the work.
! There was big crowd in front of both missions,
particularly the Cooper Square place, when the dis
/ t1ihution began at o'clock. Most of the crowd
! were women and children, but many men to
share in the distribution.
! The greater part of the funds for this gath
cred by the Santa Clauses stationed in the streets
throughout the city. The system Of collecting
enabled the organization to provide work for nearly
one hundred for two weeks or more. all of
! the Santa Clauses were men out of employ yment
! and not members of the organization They were
| paid 81 or 81 Is day for the work and luncheon
money. In only two instances did these collectors
abuse the confidence placed in them.
! Captain Charles Booth. the young OF General
| Booth, had charge of the wagon distribution of
! TOYS Yesterday afternoon throughout the poorer
| neighborhoods In some cases niclels and pennies
| were given to the children The workers who in
vestgated applications, according to Adjutant Con-
| way found unusual number out of work, and
! also a great number of families deserted by hus-
| bands and fathers.
Mrs Ballington Booth takes a special interest in
the families of prisoners in the penitentaries and
this year sent boxes of clothing and food to the
wives and children of men In prison These
were distributed yesterday.
There will be Christmas tree and distribution
of toys to children the Cooper Square Mission on
! Monday night. Dinner packages were also dis
| frib AL bp tba