Omaha daily bee., 1910-12-25
Santa is Supplied
With Means to Give
Needy Good Repast
Citys Effort to Supply Christmas
Cheer Will Bring Joy to
Many Hearts.

They call me Billy.
He was a kindly faced. wholesome look
ing man. dressed IN serviceabte- clothes
well-fitting and clean He hurried into
Mayor Maloney's office yesterday morning
and said brusquely. They tell me you
are taking money here for Christmas, take
this. please.
He was fastening away, with greater
energy when the mayor trfad~to stop him
and get his name that it might appear in
the list Of Donors but the man was fumb-
ling at the door lock beforeP the mayor
could get to his feet. The only response
to entreaties was the chaery. Never mind
the name. They call me Biiyl" The mayor
found in his hand a crisp $ bill.
It was an exemplincatfon OF the Christ
mas spirit that has made one OF the large
rooms on the second floor OF the city build
ing resemble the receiving platform OF a
wholesale provision depot one side is
piled high with boxes containing all kinds
OF canned goods, dried fruits and cereal
foods, tea. coffee and sugar. Other orderly
piles contain flour in small sacks, dried
beans, peas and hominy smoked meats
and fish, and occupying a space by them
selves fourteen big hams secured by Mayor
Maloney on a personal appeal 20 the
South Omaha houses.
The charity wagon was busy all day
yesterday filling appointments made by the
retail grocers and butchers and gathering
up their liberal donations, while Maloney
sat in his office making new ones for the
drivers, including a trip to the wholesale
grocery OF Groneweg & Schoentgen. In
addition to all the food stuffs freely given
a considerable fund Of cash has been col
lected. which will be wisely expended
During the day a number Of packages con-
tanning serviceable clothing were sent in
generally coming from donors who gave
no names.
Mayor Maloney has the key to the i'm
provised store room, and it was not opened
except for the reception Of deposits until
late in the afternoon. Then deft crowd
OF willing workers were admitted. who be-
gan the task of asserting the stuff and
poruoning II into generous-sized bundles,
which viii be distributed today through
the city. The distribution is being made
In conjunction with all OF the charitable
institutions and the police department. and
uD 10 noon yesterday the names and ad-
dresses OF nfty-six families had been listed
for Christmas gifts.
An earnest effort has been made TO
search out deserving needy persons and
the belief Is that the contributions 50 gen
eroualy made In answer TO the appeal OF
the mayor viii be worthiIy bestowed. 1t
has been ascertained that the families Sc
lected approximate 800 people, al believed
to be worthy and in need OF the assistance
to be extended.
We expect 10 get hOgged in some in
stances" said Mayor Maloney yesterday,
but what's the difference? We know II
viii not happen II We can prevent IL. The
visit OF our messenger may arouse in the
breast OF the hog a sense OF shame that
viii bring him nearer the real human
level The task has its responsibilities.
worries and work. but We viii all be sat
isfied when We know we have discharged
Il TO the best OF our ability"
Among the odd contributions was the Of
Ter OF Vego Anderson. proprietor OF the
oak restaurant on Bryant street. who
asked the mayer 70 send six hungry chill
dren 20 the restaurant on Christmas and
enjoy big free Sunday dinner. The invi-
tation was accepted and turned over to
Rev. Henry De Long. who has ample
means for filling such orders.