davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-12-25
EXCISE BOARDS DECISION
MAY AID SHAPIRO'S CASE
Strange Pleas in Police Court Likely
to Save License and Reverse
Imposed Fines.

Herman Shapiro. a. liquor dealer at
90 + street northwest. may have use
lessIy paid "a fine Of $100. and Simpson
Brock, colored. may have spent fifteen
days in the workhouse when there
was no occasion for il. all because of
the strange pleas they elected to make
when Shapiro recently WAS presented
in Police Court on a charge Of selling
liquor to Brock, minor. At IeaS;
this is the opinion of members of lhc
excise board, who. Tuesday, summoned
shapiro before them to show cause v ny
his license should not he revoked. The
licensee said he had entered a plea OF
guilty because he could not afford 10
hire a lawyer to defend him.
Since then the board has had Brock
before it and is inclined TO the belief,
from statements made by him. that he
Is not "a minor. but was more than
tw cnty-one years of age at the time
he purchased the liquor from Shapiro.
" hen questioned as TO why ne did not
give his exact age, Brock said he
thought the court would be more leni-
tnt with him If he represented himself
to be much younger than he really
was. The board is now looking up
isrock's birth record. aud if IL Is fpunn
TO support his statements, shapiro, Of
course, Will be in no danger o. losing
his license.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-12-25
Federal Inquiry Asked.

Secretary of Labor Wilson received the
following telegram today from Charles
II. Meyer, president of the Western Fed
GRAFTON of Miners, who is directing the
copper strike at Calumet and vicinity,
demanding federal investigation of tn.
Christmas eve tragedy. The telegram
dated last night. was as follows:
While striking miners with their wives
and little ones were arranging for a
Christmas tree in a hall at Calumet,
Mich, tonight. the door was opened by a
person who gave a false alarm of fire.
In their effort to get out of the hall sew
enty-seven people lost their lives. Cir
cumstances surrounding this terrible oc-
currence demand Immediate investigation
by the government / have wired the
President. Will You see him and urge
Immediate action?"
Secretary Wilson said he would com
municate with the President as soon a.
possible. but that he did not know wheth-
er the government would have jurisdiction
in such a case.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-12-25
GREETINGS TO THE POLICE.
Commissioner Siddons and Mai. Syl
yester Extend Best Wishes.

Commissioner Siddons. who has imme-
date supervision of the police department,
and Maj Sylvester. chief of police. eX-
tended Christmas greetings to members
of the police force. The former stated:
Il extend to you all the seasons greet
ings, and sincerely trust that Christmas
day will bring to each of you and your
families happiness and good cheer.
Maj. Sylvester extended his best wishes
to the force and expressed the hope that
members of his command would have as
happy II holiday as the unrelenting sery-
ice will allow.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-12-25
Join in National Anthem.

Exactly forty minutes were required
for the carrying out of the program, as
printed in The Star yesterday afternoon,
and al the end of it d great patriotic
demonstration was INDUCED in by the
crowds. Truman Gensler, a member of
Troop No. -, Boy Scouts waved an inn
mense American flag from his position on
the improvised stage on the Capitol steps
the Marine Band began to play The star
Spangled Banner and the chorus of 900,
as well as thousands of other voices
joined in singing the national anthem.
Upon the conclusion of the exercises
the crowds took up again the spirit of
| jollity and fun as they started for home
| turning back to look at the Capitol, bear
! ing its legend in electric lights, Peace
On Earth, Good Will to Men" Strangers
| shouted Merry Christmas at one an
other, and automobile rides We're freely
offered and accepted. Friendships and ac-
/ quaintanceshipS We're struck up, and one
| woman sent more than one youngster
| home more happy than before by carry
| ing with her To the Capitol plaza gifts Of
| small dolls and other things and present
ing them to- children, who, as she eX-
pressed it, looked as if they needed
them
Il know at last one woman said to
her escort as they waited for a car
what Christmas means, and | think
have seen this afternoon the most strik-
ing thing that has occurred in my life
time That legend, Peace on Earth
Good Will to Men on our capitol means
something. All these different denomina
tons gathered here to celebrate Christ
mas MethodIsts Baptists, Ipis
copalians. Catholics and ali the Other
creeds and sects that there must be in
q great crowd like this mean that VIZ
must at heart all be striving to LEAD
better lives And must say, as a Wash
ingtonian. that it stirs me to have il
gappen under the sheltering dome of oul
Caritoi."
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-12-25

NEW YORK. December 25.-Georss F,
Parker. an attorney formerly Of Brook
line. Mass. who was connected Wit tive
law office of Alton Is, Parker. committed
suicide today by inhaliug gas. lie MAS
not related 10 Judge Parker. His friends
here could assign 10 reason Tor tie act
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-12-25
Alfred Jones School Celebrates.

Christmas was celebrated by the pupils
of the Alfred Jones School Tuesday. The
school was decorated in Christmas greens.
There was singing, and the pupils of
the seventh and eighth grades read com
positions Emma Saunders conducted a
Christmas drill while the seventh-grade
children gave a shepherds exercise. An
address was delive ed by Rev. Mayhem
of the British West Indies. Rev. Chest
nut pronounced the invocation. William
Young and Anna COTE furnished music
on the nianO.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-12-25
Affair Excellently Managed.

There were many fragments of con-
versation that served to show how the
home-going crowds had appreciated the
spectacle, and praise for those who had
gotten I'D the celebration was unstinted
The police arrangements were excellent.
and Notwithstanding the tremendous au-
dieuce there was not single accident
The Capitol police We're i'll charge OF
Capt. Frawley. Newspaper arrangements
superintendent of the Senate press gal
Iery. VINO also acted as an assistant To
the public order committee of citizens
Members Of this committee acted as
ushers line of Boy Scouts, shoulder
to shoulder extended across one of the
upper sters of the Capitol, forming a
chain of human ''footiights' for the inn
provised stage They We're In charge
| of Scoutmaster E 5. Martin, and among
| them Were
| Stewart Carpenter, Wade. Butler, Ber-
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-12-25
Inspiring Services Held.

In Washington the heads of the gov
eminent who have remained here for
the holidays have again set the ex-
ample to the people of going to the
churches and mingling in common
prayer for the nation as well as the
individual. In some of the churches
the services have been more than usu-
ally solemn and inspiring, bringing to
mind a recent remark of President Will
sons when he declared that he could
mot see how any thoughtful man in
a place of worship could fail to put by
the selfish contemplation of life. 1t
is this spirit this idea, not necessarily
a. religious one, which has more than
ANYTHING else stood out the most
striking characteristic of the obsery-
ance of Christmas, 1913. and Will, IL II
grows as it has grown, be the most
satisfactory thing the nation Will nave
to look back upon at the end of 1914.
Signs of the Times.
All the signs of the times are point
ing to the fact that men have lately
more and more put away the selfish
contemplati of life" and that tn
world is growing better in heart and IN
! spirit. The sermons in the churches
bear out that statement, and 1T is a
fact that every cabinet officer who
makes 81 speech pleads for Cooperate On
and holds up before his hearers the
ideal of the helping hand" II is the
new thing in the public life OF today
and "a such a proper. indeed, d neces-
sary. subject for happy reflection this
Christmas day.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-12-25
Arrangement of Building.

II is a two-story structure and was
erected in December, 1908. for the Italian
Mutual Benefit Association of that place
Ii has a frontage OF siXty-five feet and q
depth of ninety feet On the ground
floor a store and a saloon are located
There is a hall, fifty by eighty feet, on
the second floor. 1t is fitted with stage,
beneath which is located a dining room.
where refreshments are served whenever
dances are he'd.
The building is made of what is termed
slow-burning or mill construction, Mr..
Macneil declared. The walls are of brick.
The site on which it stands formerly was
occupied by frame structure containing
a hall. This was burned down and the
brick structure was erected in its place.
Wide halls and stairs and ample fire
escapes were provided, Mr.. Macneil says.
The front or main stairs consist of two
fights with a platform between them.
The building was erected at a cost of
about $50 COO
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-12-25
Each Receives a So Bill.

Every employe of the Capital Traction
Company from the superintendent down
to the switchmen and laborers on the
repair force received a two-dollar bill
from the company as a Christmas gift.
The custom was established by the man
agement several years ago
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-12-25

mas celebration and turned attention to
feeding the unemployed.
BY order of the board Of supervisors
all unemployed who applied We're fed at
the City Relief Home. Work Will be pro
vided. beginning Monday.
ALBANY. December 2J.-Thousands Of
persons gathered in the Capitol grounds
last night to dedicate municipal Christ
mas tree and sing carols.
BOSTON, December 23.-The municipal
Christmas celebration Of last year was
repeated last night. when thousands OF
persons gathered about a siNty-foot ever
green on the Common. Mayor FltE-
gerald, convalescent after an Illness,
touched a button which started the pro-
gram Of festivities he had arranged.
Star of Hope Cheers Baltimore.
BALTIMORE. Md, December 25.-Sev-
eral thousand persons witnessed the IL
| Elimination last night Of Baltimore's first
community Christmas tree. giant Nor
way spruce handsomely decorated. Was
erected on the courthouse plaza. and
, above the topmost branch. sixty-two feet
! above the sidewalk. star of hope
difused its electric rays Just befor,
( Mayor Preston pressed the button that
! turned the electric current into 500
/ bulbs at $40 o'clock. bells were rung al
| over the city. musical program was
1 rendered. in which seminarians from st
] Marys Seminary. the United German
! Singers and the 9TH Regiment Band par
| ticipated.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-12-25
Members of the Chorus.

Among the members Of the chorus
were:
Mr.. and Mrs. NJ. r. Tolsoa. Miss Mary
Spiers. Miss Susan Dorsey, Miss Lillian
Chenoweth Miss l.. Lee, Miss a. Lee,
Miss NJ s. Benson, Mrs. James Kerr,
Miss H. NJ SOUL, the Misses Edna and
Virginia Poole, Mrs. H Z. Hopkins. Miss
NJ. E. Doyle, Miss Mary Boyd. NJ IS Loun-
coup, Mrs Ada l.. Clark. Mrs Florence
NJ. StCat, Miss l.. L. GartreI Hiss
Blanche Washington, Miss Mabel Bur
dett Miss Robinson, Mrs. II. j.. Bennlt,
Miss f. NJ. Fitch, Miss -. J. Dean. -,IrS.
A NJ. Blair, Mrs. v. Mantner, the Misses
Clements, NJ e. Flohr and Miss Mary
Flohr, +. r. Acher. Mr. and Mrs. W. f..
Buell. Mr.. and Mrs. j. r. Hinton, Miss
Alice Evans. Mrs. II. Is. kinchloe. Mrs. j
F.. Taylor, NJ IS y. l.. Garden. Mrs G.. l.
TAFT, Mrs. NJ j.. Lindsay. Mrs. 5. Z. kel-
logg, Miss Ruth Rogers, Mrs ". II. Mus
sey Mr.. and Mrs. NJ D. Rosenthal, Mrs
S. w. Smith, Mrs. NJ. II. Sawyer, Mrs. G.
NJ. Fleming, Miss Nj. \ichesSua, --.t. .tIli
Mrs. j. H. Dellinger. Mrs j. +, Ayre
Miss f.. r. Adams, Mrs. John Nolan, Miss
]. l.. Babcock Miss +. e Watson, Miss
Alice Jones, Mrs. Robert Waters Mrs
Albert l.. Johnson, Mrs. Norsan Brad
ford Miss Blanche YeWell, Mrs. William
Haley, Mrs. Orr, Mrs. Hutiey, Mrs Char
lotte Lippitt, Mrs. Harry Patten, Mis-:
Kate Bryant, Miss Rose Cox, Miss Lydi'
Phillips Misses Anna and Elizabeth
Leckie. Karl Osborne, Mrs. Ruth Simp
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-12-25

Christmas was celebrated at the Colored
Social Settlement. Is l. street southwest,
by the distribution of clothing and food
among the poor.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-12-25
DESIGNED DEATH BUILDING.
Washington Architect Unable to Ac-
count for Calumet Horror.

The building at Calumet Mich. in
which so many lives were lost during a
Christmas celebration last night, when
a false alarm of fire was sounded, was
erected from plans prepared by Paul II.
Macneil, an architect now engaged in
business in this city with his brother. I'M
der the firm name of Macneil & Macneil.
Mr. Macneil said today he was unable
to- account for the great loss Of life
which resulted when the women and
children attempted TO rush from the
building. He asserted the stairwaYs and
hall in the structure are wider than those
required in such a structure by tie Dis
trict building regulations At the front
OF the building there is flight of stairs
seven feet wide, he said, and a slightly
narrower flight is located at the rear.
The building is provided with fire es-
capes at one side and at the end, he
declared.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-12-25

DANVILLE. H., December 25.-Charles
NJ Travis, minister t. Brazil under Pres
ideut Grant and law partner Of Gen. Lew
Wallace, died at the soldiers homo here
yesterday after a long Illness. He was
sixty-eight years old.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-12-25
NATION ADOPTS IDEA
OF COMMUNITY" TREE
Public Celebrations of Christmas
Are Held in Many
Cities.
Distribution to Poor of Comforts
and Toys Made an Accom-
panying Feature

NEW YORK, December pa little boy
was picked out o. the crowd in Madison
Square Garden yesterday afternoon at
$50 O'Clock to push the button that
lighted the star of Bethlehem at the top
OF the tail Christmas tree. \ moment
later a thousand lights twinaled in the
branches. At the same moment down
town on the steps of city hall, the mayor
of New York pressed another button and
so set alight another tree strung with
myriad lamps. Bells in nearby churches
began to chime, then trumpets biared
and songs appropriate to the night fol-
lowed. sung by trained singers.
PHILADELPHIA, December 25.-Elabo-
rate celebrations in connection with COM
munity Christmas trees were held for the
first time yesterday in many cities OF
Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware.
In Philadelphia the celebration, which
will continue for a week, was officially
begun yesterday afternoon, when the
Mayor and Mrs. BIankenburg touched
electric light buttons and Illuminated the
1900 vari-colored bulbs and the big stan
with which the community tree in hide
pendence Square is decorated. Thousands
of children and many grown-ups nailed
the lighting up OF the slXty-seven-fool
spruce with shouts of delight.
Chicago Also Has Tree
CHICAGO, December 25.-Chlcago' :
hrst municipal festival was held in
Grant Park last night, when thousands
Of children and citizens generally
viewed the seventy -fve-foot Christina s
tree. listened to stars Of grand opera.
who sang classics through mega
phones; to the full chorus OF the Chi
cago Grand Opera Company. and to
speeches by Mayor Harrison and others.
CINCINNATI. December 2J.-Ringing
of chimes all over the city. fanfare
Of trumpets, carols by choir of boys
and brilliant illumination OF the mu-
nicipal Christmas tree last night ush-
cred in the first public celebration of
this kind Cincinnati has known The
city Christmas tree-fortyfive feet
high-was Illuminated with myriads of
electric lights.
CONCORD. \. f., December 20
Community Christmas trees We're IL
Illuminated last night in most of the
cities of the state. In nearly every case
it was the first general celebration OF
the Christmas festival.
DETROIT. December 25-Detroit' $
first municipal Christmas tree, gayly
decorated with lights tinseI and toys
was the center of attraction for thou
sands of citizens and children last
night The tree stood on the city hall
lawn, and band and choir furnish ed
music on the municipal building steps
summoned by Church Bells.
CLEVELAND, December 25.-Churcl
bells sumoning citizens to the public
square at I o'clock last night initiated
Cleveland's first community Christmas
celebration. Thousands listened while
a choir Of 800 men and boys. standing
/ beneath a big lighted Christmas tree
! sang carols.
SAN FRANCISCO. December 2o.-Rair
! stopped san Francisco's open-air Christ
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-12-25
Cantata and Christmas Tree.

1t was "A day never To be forgotten
at the Industrial Home school Moth
ing was left undone by Supt. skinner
and his assistants in their efforts 10
gladden. the hearts of the 40 boys and
girls quartered there. The festivities
began last night with cautata and
Christmas tree. Letters to Santa { aus
We're answered by the Cathedral School
for Girls. 81. Adams Church. christ
Child Guild and members Of the Normal
School Alumnae Religious services
We're conducted in the chapel At 40
O'Clock this morning. and. beg aiming at
l O'Clock, hungry appetites did justice
to turkey and cranberry dinner.
Scenes of a much similar character
We're enacted at the Nationa' Training
School for Girls and the National Train
ing School for Boys Christmas eye
entertainments were held in both
schools, and brightly lighted trees
laden with gifts made the occasions JOY
Gus ones. Three hundred and seventy
five boys cared for at the former in
stitution were given roast pork and
sweet potato dinners today. while the
| Districts wards at the National Train
| ing School for Girls We're served chick
en- instead of turkey.
| Pupils of the Industrial Home School
for Colored Children whose records for
the year have been exceptionally good
were permitted To spend the day with
/ their parents Those less fortunate IN
| this respect who remained at the home
were treated to good dinners. Plans
are being made for a Christmas cete-
bration to be held at this school next
l Monday night
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-12-25
COMMUNITY" TREE
ATTRACTS 10000
Great Crowd Throngs Capitol
Plaza to Participate in
Celebration.
CHORUS OF 1000 SINGS
PRAISES OF REDEEMER
Rich and Poor Mingle in Spirit of
Fellowship and Good

twenty thousand persons, according to
estimates made by the police, gathered in
the plaza before the east front of the
Capltoi yesterday afternoon to witness
ana TO take part in Washington's first
community Christmas celebration. The
scenes and incidents in connection with
the occasion, in the opinion of many OF
those present, raised it to the dignity
OF a real event in the history of the
capital.
Many women in the immense throngs
made no secret of their emotion and open
iy Wept as tableaux were presented on
the steps of the Capitol depicting the
story of the nativity. while the Marine
Band played such music as Beethoven :
Creation Hymn and chorus of 1000
voices Swelled the melody
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-12-25
Joy OF CHRISTMAS
IN HEARTS OF ALL
THROUGHOUT LAND
Continued from First Page

and friends, the innocent fun of grown
up as we'll as small children, and more
and more each year that passes to the
sense of responsibility that underlies
the phrase Peace on Earth, Good Will
to Men,
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-12-25
Mingled in Fellowship.

The celebration was a great, popular
joining of all classes of Wasningto-
mans in honor of Christmas and gath
cred at the base of a giant Norway
spruce tree, electrically lighted, per-
sons in all walks of life mingled u2on
common footing. Slightly clad chill
dren were welcomed from the cold
pavements into luxurious limousines,
and fur-Coated men disrobed themselves
that thin-Shoed women might have
their coats to protect their feet from
the cold pavements. A spirit of rev.
erence, almost of solemnity, was every
so much so that the appreciation shown
at some of the music was of the char
acter dearest of all 10 the heart Of a
musician-silence.
This spirit was especially manifest
upon the conclusion of the -Cantioue
de Noer by the Marine Band, in which
Arthur S. Whitcomb played a cornet
solo. The thrilling air wound in and
out of the Capitol portico, across the
heads of the mulritudes and through
the trees of the open spaces in the
plaza. Every note was as distinct as
if Mr.. Whitcomb had been playing in
u room. and he finished it was plain
~ evident that his solo had greatly
added to the deep impression the event
was making upon the people. AS the
/ last notes died away figures of angels
! appeared in the spaces between the
columns of the portico of the east
front of the Capitol, raising their
horns, and the chorus swept into the
great melody "Hark, the Herald
Angels Sing"
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-12-25

ALI killed together Mrs. Henry Isola.
who is believed 10 be dead. held her little
son and daughter by the hand when the
panic started The boy was torn from
his mother and escaped, but the little
girl was killed. A large number of fam
lilies lost two or more children. More
than fifty of the dead We're under ten
wears of age.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-12-25

Although no confirmatory word re-
ceived here today of the reported cap
ture of the city of Torreon by the Mexi-
an constitutionalists, their confidential
agency here gave out the information that
Tcrreon is a mere incident in their pro-
jected march to Mexico City, and that it
is so cut off from other federal bases
that it has been doomed for a week
The constitutionalists made it plain
that for several weeks their principal en-
deavors have been directed toward thor
ouehly organizing their various forces,
getting together large supplies Of ammu-
milton and food and preparing for the
final onslaught on the capital.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-12-25
Meyers Statement.

President Meyer of the Western Fed
Grafton of Miners in his statement
said: Il have wired President wilson
Gov. Ferris, Secretary OF Labor Wilson
and Secretary Morrison of the Ameri-
can Federation of Labor. acquaintIng
them with the disaster, and urging
national and state investigation into
the cause. My information Is that no
striker or any one In sympathy with
the strike brought about this cataS-
trophe There are many who testify
that a man from the outside came up
the stairs and vel ed Fire, =
A leader of the citizens alliance,
taking notice of the statement of Pres
ident Meyer and the charges made by
strikers. said.
1T is preposterous to suppose that
any member of the citizens alliance
would have attempted to disturb
Christmas celebration of the children
of miners i'm such manner"
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-12-25
Dinner Day Not Named.

Municipal! lodging house officials. fol-
lowing their annual custom. viii not
announce the day on which Christmas
dinner l. to be served a. experience
has taught them that TO advertise the
event means 10 attract moe guests
than can be cared for But AN extra
good dinner viii be served on Quo day
during the week. and transieuts who
are fortunate enough to drop in" Ut
the lodging house on tins day @3h
have cause for rejoicing.
Turkey dinners were served ST lie
Tuberculosis Hospital and Soldiers and
Sailors Temporary Home today. FAr
Christmas trees, trimmed by pupils "f
the Force school. frightened tie da
for patients in the sick ward at lnr
hospital. Christmas decorations added
to the cheer of the soJourners al the
Soldiers and Sailors Home
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-12-25

Hoff. Miss Isabel Allen, Mrs. A. B. Allen.
Miss Helen Moore. s. Moore. Mrs Il.
Doyle, Miss w. II. Brisco, Miss Nj. Frear,
e. r. Oherly, Miss p. NJ. Oberly, Miss e.
Hanev. Miss +. Emmert, Miss Agnes Mel
son. Miss Ruth Nelson Miss Tillie Nell
son. Miss NJ. Defandorf, Miss L. Defan-
dorf. Miss Louise kaphart Mr.. and Mrs.
MaXson and Miss +. .. MaXson.