The San Francisco call., 1909-12-25
OAKLAND OBSERVES
YULETIDf SEASON
Clubs and Societies Scatter Gifts
Among Many Destitute
Families of City

OAKLAND, Dec 24.-Christmas was
celebrated by clubs in Oakland tonight
and will be observed tomorrow by the
closing of all public buildings and
business houses. stores remained open
till after midnight for the late shop
pers. but none will be open tomorrow.
Among the social clubs which
showed the Yuletide spirit was the
Oakland lodge of Elks, the members
of which spent all of today in distrib-
uting baskets OF Christmas fare TO des-
titute ard afflicted families in every
quarter of the city. One mishap marred
the occasion. A rig, in which were A.
Van der Naillen Jr. and Benjamin
Wright, two prominent members of the
lodge. was struck by car at Eighth
and Castro streets The two Elks were
thrown 70 the pavement and bruised;
their vehicle was ruined and their bas-
kets of gifts were scattered. But the
men merely returned to the clubhall,
loaded up new rig and started out
again on their rounds.
One of last nights features of Christ
mas jollities at the Elks was the auc-
tioning of a life membership. Frank
Leayitt conducted the affair from
which $500 WAS realized.
The Ell1s Christmas committee is
composed Of
|. Harrison Clay p. B. Lynch
George w. Biefhen Oscar IMnng
". A. Nonsinger H. J. Gallon
Fred johnson William Grosskurth
Nat NJ. CroSsley H. Gbirardeii
Clinton g. Dodge Thomas Prather
ID. .. Hobson iCharles +. Lee
Judge T. ". Harris Harry Anderson
A. Mofftt John Bohan
Fred ". lie Ballister Rev Z. E. Dempsey
d. McLaren
The Ladies Relief society home for
children and a ged women observed the
holiday with dinner and a tree for so
children, inmates of the institution.
Teachers in the public schools and
members of the board OF education We're
present TO assist at the festivities to-
night.
The West Oakland home will hold
its annual dinner and tree ceiebra-
ton next Wednesday evening with
Mrs E. \ Delamater in charge. The
invalids at the Kings Daughters
home will have their dinner and gift
bearing tomorrow
Next Thursday the settlement work
ers of tire Oakland New Century club
Will give Christmas celebration at
the headquarters. Third and Linden
streets. The Salvation Army gave out
al the Ninth street headquarters this
afternoon and evening severa! hundred
baskets containing Christmas dinners.
Tomorrow night viii be held a Christ
mas tree celebration for the poor chill
dren of the city
The Volunteers of America Catholic
ladies' relief society and the Salvation
Army workers sent out many baskets
after the manner of the Elks, all work
ing through the Associated Charities to
prevent duplication of gifts or omis-
sion.
The park commission of the city gov
ernment did little Christmas giving
by sending TO the ward patients OF
Fabi6ia. Merritt and Providence hospi-
tails baskets of flowers cuIled from the
municipal parks. 1t is planned to make
this an annual custom.
Out at the detention home for iuve-
nile delinquents there Will not be a
Christmas tree. but the Is boys and
girls who are prisoners there viii be
guests of the. superintendent. James
Page. at a turkey dinner. Societies of
the city have sent gifts to the place
for the little prisoners.
The members of the Reliance ath-
letic club held their last jinks of the
year tonight. Ford Murphy had charge
of the refreshments and Jack Nc
Clelland of the entertainments Music
and athletic contests were the program.
The Central National bank and Cen
trail bank clerks We're given special
pay envelopes tonight containing
Christmas gifts of cash by the heads
of the institutions.