Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-12-24
SANTA IN TROUBLE
Eight of His Reindeer Held on
Charge of Trespass.
GRAZING WITHOUT PERMIT
Kindhearted Ranger Comes to Relief
of Children's Friend.
HIS ARRIVAL IN WASHINGTON
Attends Holiday Celebration Given
in the Offices Of tho Forest
Service.

Eight reindeer belonging to Santa Claus
were corralled by a forest ranger and held
for trespass for grazing without per-
NIT on one of Uncle Sans national for
ests. Under the regulations of the De-
partment of Agriculture Santa Claus
could have grazed these deer without the
payment of a fee, since they are classified
by decision of the solicitor as domestic
cattle. But it is necessary that permit
for this free use of the range be OBJ
tanned in advance from the ranger in
charge.
Santa in Quandary.
Santa Claus did not know Of this, SO
when he was resting his deer on north
ern Montana forest. just prior to their
final dash over the world, they were
seized by the overzealous ranger, and
Santa was in a quandary. However, he
persuaded the ranger to help him out
OF his difficulty. and the two. by magic
means. got to Washington in time to
give presents and candy to all the chill
dren of members Of the forest service
today at II o'clock.
The foregoing is, in brief, the plot of a
little dialogue that formed the chief fea-
ture of the annual Christmas tree cele-
bration at the Offices of the forest serv-
ice, $50 F street. A stage was set in the
big drafting room on the eighth floor
of the Atlantic building, and about $50
children and their parents and friends
witnessed the performance.
Tent in Midst Of Pines and Cedars.
There was the rangers tent set in the
midst of grove of thirty pine and cedar
trees. with an electric-lighted campfire. a
waving American flag. and the ranger in
the forest service uniform, from felt
hat to numbering boots, and Santa in the
customary furs.
The little play, which was written by
Bristow Adams, abounded in clever hits
at various members of the service, and
topical song. sung by Santa, carried
these still further, and furnished amuse-
ment to the grown folks as we'll as the
George A. Bentley. chief of the Office of
maintenance. as Santa Claus, and Bris-
tow Adams, chief Of the section of re-
view, as the ranger.
In Form Of Memorial.
At the end Of the play Santa Claus dis
tributed presents, candy and fruit to the
children and to the messengers, char
women. elevator men and the service
newsboy.
The whole celebration is really a memo
late Harry c. Towers Of this city, who
for many years had dressed a tree with
presents for the children of his fellow
employees. establishing a custom unique
In the government departments. So we'll
did he typify the Christmas spirit
throughout his life that the members Of
the service whom he had made happy
decided to hold the festivities in his
memory each year.
Committee in Charge.
While the performance was complete
and the stage settings elaborate, espe-
cially in lighting effects, the work was
so well apportioned among the various
members of the service that 1t was got
ten up with but little expenditure of time.
The following committee had charge of
the different details: Mr.. Fred G. Plum
mer. Mr.. 3. II. Dutrow, Mr.. Clyde
I-eavitt, Mr.. c. A. Kolb, Mrs. K. j. Fen
ton, Mr.. r.. E. Lee and Mr. c. T. Austin.