Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1911-12-28
CHARITY Of WIDER
SCOPE THAN EVER
frightened Dark Places That
Cheerful Christmas Sun Fails
to Reach.
THOUSANDS OF POOR FED
big 80: Sullivan Played San
ia Claus for 1000 out of His
Own Poclset-Work Of
Organizations.
THOUSANDS OF POOR FED

New York Dec. 8.-There was no snow
TO make il a white Christmas in New
York this year but there was bright
sun and a clear sky with air almost
aut,,mn-lilse to make the holiday cheerful.
II there were dark places which the
bright weather failed to reach. the hand
of charity did reach them and with more
thoroughness. il is said, than ever before.
The many coins dropped into the
chimneys and pots, which the Salvation
Army and the Volunteers of America
station at the street corners every year.
provided dinners for thousands The
Salvation Army incidentally celebrated
the birthday anniversary of Commander
Eva Booth who presided to-day at the
distribution of thousands OF toys from
giant Christmas trees erected in the large
drill shed of the Ninth Regiment armory.
II was estimated that seven thousand
men shared in the annual feast which
State Senator big Tim" Sullivan gives
10 the voters of the third Tammany dis
trict, and after being stuffed with a good
dinner, each man was given a package
Of tobacco. pipe and ticket which
VIII provide him with a pair of shoes and
WOODEN stockings. The Bowery mission
also gave breakfast to over a thousa nd
hungry men and baskets to ITO needy
families
FILLED 5000 RED STOCKINGS.
In the borough of Brooklyn. red
stocking committee" which started in
three years ago to see that every child
not made merry by some charitab BILE or
Eanization received a well-flled Christ
mas stocking, practically realized It's ideal
to-day by the distribution of 5000 red
cambria stockings. estimated to be worth
about 1916 apiece. The committee under
took the card indexing of all the needy
children and distributed presents TO them
through their parents in such a way that
the traditions of Santa Claus might be
preserved and an appearance of charity
avoided. Mrs. James F. Waterman, a
daughter-in-law of the late Governor
Waterman of California, was chairman of
the red stocking committee which COM
Yrises more than one hundred prominent
citizens.
With such organized work carried out
by numerous societies, Christmas cheer
was carried to the prisons, to the hospi-
tails and almshouses The city provided
dinner for some 1900 dependents in its in
stitutions The generosity Of private citi-
zens, taken collectively, also took care
of mutitudes.
The churches began with Christmas
services for the night workers in the
early morning hours and kept up their
carols and masses all day. dove flew
into the great new Cathedral Of st. John
the Divine while Bishop Greer was
preaching the first Christmas sermon in
rhe edfice with international peace and
good will topic. The dove sailed
over the heads Of the congregation 70
a pillar in the north chair, and perch
ed quietly there throughout the service
At all of the masses in St. Patrick
Cathedral a cablegram was read bestow-
ing the blessings of Cardinal Farley up
on his congregation with wishes for a
merry Christmas and a prosperous New
Year. The principal sermon Of the day
was preached by the Rev DR.. Edmund
i. Shanahan, professor OF dogmauc
theology in the Catholic University of
America at Washington.
TAFT's MERRY CHRISTMAS.
Washington, Dec. 25.-Among the things
that Santa Claus brought to the White
House to-day was mail bag that con-
tanned what the office force estimated
at three times the usual quota of Christ
mas mail. In addition to the letters
scores of cable messages and kilograms
from the outlying countries Of the earth
and from various parts Of the United
States came in over the White House
wires The usual merry Christmas and
happy New Year wishes came to the
President but there were many expres.
sions OF faith in his administration and
hope for the future.
The President spent two hours IN h,s
Office before luncheon debating and s;en.
Ing letters and was unable to attend
church. The White House Christmas din.
ner was held TONIGHT