New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1909-01-22
CHINESE DO THEIR BEST
Money Stringency Curtaits Ne10
Year Celebration.

Although the money stringency continues there'
Chinatown celebrated yesterday the coming OF tle
Second Sons Of Delight and Deeds and the -Tovt1i
year Of Confucius as well the first year OF the
reign OF the infant Emperor Pu Wei The present
New Year was not welcomed with the gayety Oh
former years for the Chinese merchants have not
recovered from the hard times. The shooting OF
frecrackers was not so conspicuous as in former
wears but the On Leong Tong Association at No
Il Mott street hopes to observe its usual custom
Of ending the days Of festivities by SMOKING OH
many long lines Of hrecrackers.
All Day long high officials Of Chinatown, attired
in their new double sheath gown costume, mace
calls the big stores. Many were accompanied
by their children, who were more gayly dressed
than their fathers. On q high priestess OF emma
town entering store the visitors would clasp their
hands together and, bowling al the same time, utter
a Ca Ne Fa Toy" The proprietor of the estab-
lshment would then throw lighted package OF
hrecrackers of the door to drive away the
ginshee who might try 10 enter and bring sick
mesa and poverty the household for the remain
der OF the year.
Tom Lee. the Mayor Of Chinatown and head of
the On Leong Tong Association. sat in his big
headquarters at No. IA Mott street, surrounded by
friends, including several Americans Some Of the
Hip Sing longs paid him visit and wished him
happy and prosperous New Year, At the On Leong
Tong headquarters at No. II Mott street there was
a big table, upon which many dainties and
drinkables. The headquarters were crowded ali day.
The Hip Sing Tong, the rival association, held
little feast for its members and many friends
called The temples gayy decorated, and
many went to them at IL O'Clock last night TO utter
a prayer 20 the Dragon" that the coming year
would see things improve. Many OF the white resi-
dents of tbs neighborhood visited the homes Of
the poorer Cinnamon, receiving in many
red paper package of small coins.
The American Express Company. at No. q Mott
street, gave the usual dinner for the merchants.
fifty OF whom attended. Among the Chinese msr-
chants who sat at the table Sam Kee, john
kee. Lee Be Lock, Fan Pu, Lee Yuen, Chin Yuck
and Quong zee Wo. Many OF those who attended
were accompanied by their children. and there
were speeches IN English and Chinese. Lee Be
Lock. who is Of the wealthiest OF the China
town merchants said IN his speech that the ap
pointrnent OF new Emperor and new Chinese
administration, combined with the coming IN
auguration OF Mr.. Taft. in whom. he said. he
had great faith would boom things in the Chinese
district. He predicted that next New Years would
see things in much better shape there. He said
the last year had been the worst in the history
OF Chinatown Sam Kraus, who IS connected with
the large merchandise store of Sam Kee & Co.
said that a BIZ should be passed permitting mer
chants from China enter New York J. R
Christie. superintendent of the express company
E. B. La Grange, head of the Mott street branch.
and E Pratchett welcomed the Cinnamon. Others
who listened to the speeches were W. H. Cushing,
c. D. Preston and P. ". Tozz.