The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-12-20
CORPORATIONS ARE
TO GIVE CHRISTMAS
TREESFOR CHILDREN
Tennessee Co. to Remember
5000 Little Ones at
Various Operations
SANTA CLAUS TO BE
MUCH IN EVIDENCE
First Time Ever Done-Two Trees
Will Be Filled at Sipsy, One for
White Children and One
for Negroes
by CLYDE w. ENNIS

The spirit of Christmas that actuates
all men TO do those things that are good
end helpful will not be lost in the cor
poration circles OF this district. AT least
in some of the corporation circles there
will be due regard for the saving spirit.
1t became known yesterday by accident
that the Tennessee Coal Iron and Rail-
road company has prepared to remember
with appropriate Christmas presents the
school children of its coal mines, it's ore
mines and other operations in this dis
trict. To all of them, In classes arranged
by the company welfare department and
school teachers, there will be distributed
cards, candy, wagons apples, oranges and
all those small things that delight the
hearts of children and please their pa
rents.
1t is not the custom of officers of the
Tennessee Coal Iron and Railroad COM
pany TO make known their plans or to
give out press notices of their ideas in
this respect. However, 1t is known that
the company regards its children as
among its very own and most precious
charges, and no one will be overlooked
1t is generally supposed that at the va
rious operations there will be treated
something like 5000 children.
Tree at Each School
The company has a number of schools
rcattered over this district operated joint
ly with the county. To these places of in
struction the children at the various op-
erations are sent, The schools are the
best equipped in the mineral belt. It is
planned on Christmas Eve to have
Christmas tree at each schoolhouse. The
teachers will be there and of course The
little folks. Each will be given a stock
ing filled with good things and also a
Christmas card wishing them happiness
and merry holidays.
The trees will be secured from the COM
Iany property. They will be illuminated
appropriately. There will be Santa Claus
at each function and he will distribute
The gifts.
The company has enrolled about 5000
children at its various schools. They in
elude practically all those at the camps.
II there are any exceptions the various
agencies employed by the company will
zee that those not attending school are
taken care of.
The officials of the Tennessee company
employ a department to look after the
welfare of its employees and the making
of rails, which is considered the most i'm
portant proposition after all. is not more
interesting to the management than well
fare work This idea of remembering the
little chaps is thoroughly in line with the
bigness of the officials and their earnest
<aaira IN rendar comforts a hle apd bo nnv
those members of the army of employees
engaged in its services.
Trees at Sipsy
In addition to the Tennessee Coal. Iron
and Railroad company there are other big
hearted operators in this district who will
look after the little ones In the coal mine
cities. 1t was learned yesterday that at
Sipsy, the Maryland Coal company will
have two Christmas trees. One Will be
Tor the white children and the other for
the negroes. 1t matters not how many
things they receive at home, the kids
will be remembered on the two trees. 1t
iE stated that the two trees will be held
on Christmas night.
1t Is understood that other corporations
In this district upon whom deyolves the
responsibility of caring for numerous per-
sons will see that the spirit of Christmas
thus exemplifed does not go astray at
their operations.
This Is perhaps the first time i.l this
district that the officials have determined
to take such notice OF the children in
their care and render them such service.
With this work going on, with the va
rious churches and societies, charities and
kindred organizations looking after those
less fortunate than others, 1t would ap-
Iear that this Christmas will be different
from many others of the past