Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-12-25
BOYS AS THE BENEF|CIARIES
sAKs & co. OBSERVE THEIR AN
NUAL CUSTOM.
Youths Whose Wardrobes Needed
Replenishing Emerge From Big
Store Well Clothed.

More than a hundred little boys,
scantily clad. and in some instances shiv-
ering even in the comparatively warm
breeze that blew down Pennsylvania
avenue this morning, had their ward
robes replenished this Christmas day
by the generosity of SakS & Co., which
firm repeated it's annual custom Of CIV
ing away clothing to many children
whose parents are unable to supply
their needs. Commissioner Mcfarland
and Judge DeLacey Of the Juvenile
Court Were present in the store part
of the morning. Commissioner Mac
far1and was especially enthusiastic
about this presentation of clothing,
saying it was one of the most worthy
charities that had come under his no
tice.
Joseph I. Saks, member of the firm,
supervised the distribution, often Civ
ing orders that complete outfits should
be given to children who evidently
needed them. Isaac Cans. the manager
of the store; Samuel Splitter, manager
of the clothing department.; George S.
Daniels. manager of the shoe depart
ment: Bruce Willis. manager Of the
hat department, with their -.affs. as
sisted Mr.. Saks, and everybody in any
way connected with the store wore a
beaming expression, showing That they
were taking as much pleasure In help
ing the boys as the boys experienced
in being helped.
Means Much More.
Officially it was a presentation Of an
overcoat to each of just 100 boys. Ac-
tually it was ever SO much more than
that, for not boy who got into the store
was allowed to go out with any part Of
his clothing in need of replacing.
If boys shoes were gaping at the toes
or were worn through the sole, he was
promptly taken over to the shoe depart
ment and fitted to a pair Of stout shoes
that would see him through the winter. If
his suit was worn and thin. he was out
into new one before he could say Jack
Robinson. 1t was the same with hats.
One would not have recognized the boys
who issued from the store as the ones
who entered.
Mr.. Saks looked over the boys as they
entered, and as he saw extra needs, in
addition to the promised overcoats. he or
dered that they be supplied. Then, as
boys would be fitted to overcoats. the
discover some other need, and when that
was reported to Mr.. Saks or Mr.. Cans
again the order would come to see that
the boy had what he needed. The cloth
ing given to the lads came directly out
of the regular stock Of the store. and as
great care was taken to see that the boys
We're we'll fitted as if they had come in
with large rolls Of yellow-backed bills to
purchase outfits for themselves
And happy-those boys certainly he'd
the radiant countenances you read about.
At first. as they were admitted one by one
through the door on It'll street, they were
shy' not knowing exactly how they were
to be greeted. But as soon as thew were
welcomed like old friends and wished "a
Merry Christmas and many of them they
began to feel at home, and shook off their
embarrassment. for the spirit of true kind
ness permeated all the surroundings.
Accompanied by Mothers.
With many of the boys came their moth
ers. and often the sight of them was most
pathetic. Poor, pinched faces, scanned
with lines Of anxiety and worry, their
hands worn with toll, yet the sweetness
OF motherhood shone in their smiles, re-
vealing their happiness that their chill
dren should be befriended, even If 1t was
strangers who were doing what they
themselves could not do to help their Off
spring, try how they would. For at Saks'
store today 1T was clear that it was upon
the women that the burden of suffering
zen. Inc wives and mothers were bearing
the SorroWs OF the sins of others-of the
drunkenness or laZiness Of husband and
rather Or they were bent with disease
or hollow checked with the ravages of
pulmonary diseases. Yet they had worked
as they could, laboring many weary hours
day for the little wage with which thew
kept their families alive. aided, perhaps.
by the two or three dollars a week earned
by young daughter in a department
store or boy who sold papers
But the boy at the door must not be for
gotten. He let the lads out after they had
been clad in their new raiment. All on
his own hook he went out and bought a
big box OF candy, and as each boy left the
store. he wished him a Merry Christmas
and put a handful of sweets in his pocket.
a graceful finishing touch to a graceful
act of kindness.