Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-12-23

" and Monday. too.
That good old
Christmas spirit cannot die out, and the
done nothing to melt it, for the windows
of many houses are trimmed with the
red and green Of Christmas wreaths. and
last-minute shoppers are making frantic
Every government department stopped
its work at noon today, the District gov
ernment following the example OF its
big partner. Every employe OF the Dis
trict received a merry Christmas" from
the three Commissioners today. in the
form of circular letter congratulating
the personnel on the ever increasing
efficiency.
Celebrations in some of the public in
stitutions will begin tonight. but for the
most part Christmas will be celebrated
tomorrow and Monday. Christmas trees
in every orphan asylum will be decorated
tonight or tomorrow. and will make 2.G,
children glad, for there are that many
homeless children i'm the city.
Thousand Baskets Distributed.
One thousand hams, a thousand twenty
five-pound sacks Of flour, together with
sugar, coffee, hominy. beans, tomatoes.
corn. potatoes and turnips. were dis
tributed this morning by Aimas Temple.
Mystic Shrine, to deserving poor families
of Washington. Baskets containing raw
materials mentioned for Christmas dinners
were delivered to bearers of orders at
National Rifles Armory. 9lS q street
northwest and a corps of ShrinerS was
kept busy from O'Clock until after l..
handing out the piled-up baskets. The
committee in charge of the distribution
was composed of W. g. Long. John Ellin-
ger. Thomas Walker, r. h. Raymond,
John Kolb and NJ. II. Abel.
A few weeks before Christmas. each
year, cards are sent to all ShriLers, ask
ing that the name of a deserving family
be sent to the Christmas basket commit
tee. AS the cards with the names and ad-
dresses are received, orders in the form
OF notifications are sent to the persons
indicated. These orders bear the names
and addresses of the prospective recip-
tents of baskets and are worded: AZ the
suggestion of a member of AlmaS Tenn
pie, a Christmas basket has been reserved
for you, and Ii will be the pleasure of
the committee to deliver il on presenta-
ton Of this order at the National Rifles
ArmOry. 91S G street northwest between
the hours of am. and II m. Saturday,
December %. 1911.
purchased at wholesale by Almas Temple.
A thousand baskets Were bought first
this year. then 1000 hams. the flour
sugar-2,OO0 pounds Of it-and the re-
mander of the dinner. Half q peck Of
potatoes went into each basket, besides
the other articles. The baskets are
packed by members of the temple, and
any that may be left over are delivered
to persons who are known to be deserving
and in need, but who have no orders.
The Christmas tree which has for many
years been a feature of the holiday
work Of Almas Temple Will be omitted
this year. Funds for this Christmas en-
tertainment for the kiddies are raised by
the annual excursion which is given
during the summer by the organization.
Last summers excursion was spoiled by
rain.
Surprise for Forest Service.
Santa Claus sprang a surprise on the
employees of the forest service at noon
today. first by giving his escort the
slip and then by unmasking himself
and being revealed to be none other
than Gene Mcpherson. the diminutive
"newsy' who sells papers. rain or
shine. near the entrance of the AT
lantic building.
accompanied by couple of forest
rangers, who, like secret-service men,
act as q bOdyguard. The little rangers.
by George Lyman Hall
and Edward Pence, became separated
from Santa Claus. and after much
tracked him to the forest
service building. where he had called
and left a tree. intending to come back
with the presents later.
A half hour passed and there were
anxious queries. What's become OF
Santa CLAUSE" while the bodyguard
searched the building from top TO bottom,
and even peeped up the fireplaces. expect
ing to see him hiding in the chimney.
To keep everybody in good spirits. George
G. Anderson recited several verses writ
ten for the occasion by some IL the
ing the last verse the familiar 'honk-
honk" Of Santa Claus auto was heard
in the distance. Directly he strutted on
the platform. with an enormous pack.
much larger than himself. tied to his
back and his arms filled with presents.
No one recognized little Gene in his
snowy white beard and gorgeou raiment.
and when the last present was given ne
snatched off beard and all and stood be-
fore the audience as Gene the newsy,
with the same cherry smile with which
he hands out his daily papers There was
a shout Of approval and Gene was the
hero OF the hour
The presents were Tor nearly nun,
dred boys and girls whose parents and
Guardians are employees OF the service,
and they had a merry time.
Santa Claus First Appearance.
Santa Claus made his first appearance
% the employees Of the forest service