The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1913-12-24
CITY OFFICIALS MAKE MERRY AT CHRISTMAS
 TREE CELEBRATION
Good Cheer of YuIetide FestiVi- ties DispeIIS Gloom of
 City Court Room.


 Even the grim, unchanging face Of the old city court room clock seemed
 to assume a more congeniaI appear ance for a time last night and it's un- teasing tick tock had a different sound than ordinarily when recording tales of tribulation, domestic dfsagreeme ent and human weaknesses The bare walls of the room, steeped in the sto- ries of crime, were temporarily trans formed as the old story of Kris Krin- gle'S visit was repeated for the en-
 joyment of off1cia1s of the depart ments housed in the police and char fties building ana a few invited guests. Again the story of the visit of the Eastern Wise Men to the era manager of the infant Christ was told. Gray haired policemen, men who have passed years in the depart nents of police. health and charities and younger attaches forgot, for a time, the cares of the outside world and again were children. Among the guests were the commissioners, Mayor Wilson, a number of city officials and families of those included in the cele- orators.
 In the interpreters position next to the witness stand there was a large and brilliantly lighted Christmas tree loaded with gifts, pop corn and trim mings. It seemed strangely out of place to those accustomed to the daily appearance of the room. The trim ming was in charge of Police Electri- elan Sheridan A. Ladd and a commit tee comprising Mrs. Kate Burroughs. Mrs. Grace Drew and Lieutenant Chas. H. Suckley of the police department, Miss Anna s. Dargan of the health department and Miss Elizabeth Mer- ny and Thomas F. Cox of the chari- ties department To them is due the credit for the general success of the occasion, a, success so great that it has been decided to have it an annual event.
 There was one man in the depart ment, selected from the start, to en- act the role of the patron saint of the occasion, Traffic Policeman Al Goul- den, he of the 'big top'' fame and indispensable at police outings. His portrayal of the role was without flaw and funnier than ever, his work to the children. His entrance was preceded by the lowering of the lights allowing only the varied color ed globes on the tree to burn. Organ ist Lorenzo P. Oviatt of the First Congregational church officiated at the piano donated by Mrs. David Jack for the occasion.
 There were a number of appropriate selections, solos and otherwise, by the First Church quartet, the members of the DOOX I1Slr SO1N1CSSs 4N U merous encores were given The members of the quartet are Mrs. Mary Haley Sherwood, soprano; Mrs. Susan Hawley Davis, contralto; Rob ert P. Clark, bass, and Alexander Howell tenor Santa then appeared and, after several frightened and 1us- ti1y crying children had left the room, got busy.
 No. 1 gift was a bundle looking suspicious1y as if it contained a base ball bat and ball. It was for Dave l Jack, veteran. of the department, and | Dave responded with his customary happy smile. However, he refused to open the bundle. Doorman James Halpin received a belt and flag of old Erin. referred to as ''tKe championship belt in recognition of his putting Jack McAuliffe down and out" Jim had to respond to a speech A magnifi- cent bouquet of chrysauthemums was sent down to Lieutenant Suckley, in charge of the desk at police head Al quarters and unable to leave. There{ were gifts for all, as far as possible they being embIematic of the receiv- CTS hobby. Some of the most mo- ticeab1e were for Agent Alexander Howell of the Connecticut Humane society, a hobby horse; Dog and Ii- quor Agent John Brown, Jr., toy dog; Police Electrician Sheridan A. Ladd, toy doll; Mrs. Susan HaWley Davis, hobby horse; Captain of Detectives George H. Arnold, miniature police man; Judge Thomas c. Coughlin of city court, cornet; Detective James Bray, dol1; Police Commissioner Lou F. Bristol, toy locomotive; Mayor Will son, building block set ''to build a new high schooF'; Police Commission CT George s. Hill, rag doll; Police Commissioner Brown, miniature vio- lin; Probation Officer c. w. Simpson, cornet; Health Commissioner w. J. Mclaughlin, cornet; Health Commis- sioner Fred D. IUes ship; Detective Sergeant George A. Haux, violin; Fifth Commissioner Michael Reilly toy monkey on a string; Police Com missioner Murphy, doll; Health Com missioner elect Frederick w. Stevens, rattle; Assistant Prosecuting Attor- ney John P. Gray, fashHght; Assist ant City Court Clerk E. Earle Gar lick, popgun; Mrs. David Jack, police l matron, drum; Police Lieutenant J. A. Hazel, toy rocking horse; Judge | Thomas C.. Coughlin of city court, set | of toy harness; City Court Clerk 1 Hugh Lavery, a doll; Emergency Hos | pitaI Surgeon J. H. Finnegan, toy ann | Emergency Hospital Surgeon | W. H. Cur1ey, a toy ambulance; Dr.