Omaha daily bee., 1914-12-26
Hear Carols Sung and Receive Gifts
that Bring Shouts of
Happiness.
PROGRAM FEATURE
Audience Joins in Songs OF Christ
mas Praise and Joy.
GAY SCENE AT AUDITORIUM
City Commissioners, Manager Gillian
and santa Claus Bessie Give
Youngsters u Thrilling
Time.

over 1000 little youngsters stood pa
tiently but eagerly in line at Auditorium
Christmas eve waiting their turn to
receive their Christmas packages of nuts.
candies, apples, oranges and other deli
cacies dear to the heart of little ones.
Just 1,5O0 packages were distributed to
grown-ups and little folk alike. and when
the last person in line, a tiny little girl
with black shawl over her head, drew
her package Santa Claus" Bessie,
found that his pile had been completely
exhausted.
The occasion was Omaha's second muni-
cipal Christmas tree. And you must hand
a few boQuets. or a Christmas poinsetta,
or a wreath of holly to the city COM
missioners who handed out the presents
and made the tree possible. When the
city commissioners do anything they do
it just as the lady enters the cafe foun-
tain on New Years eve-with both feet.
Music Before santa.
Preceding the disposition of the Christ
mas sacks a musical program was given
by various musical organizations of the
city.
Selections were given by the Omaha
Musicians association band and the
sody by the Omaha Symphony Study
orchestra.
Charles Gardner, vocalist at the Ak
Sar-Ben den, sang a Christmas carol and
was an instantaneous hit. Gardners
powerful voice rang out true throughout
the entire Auditorium and the crowd
which was in attendance, applauded I'M
til he was forced to advance to the front
of fhn ofn nj Lot.
barrassed tone, Merry Christmas" be
fore the remainder of the program could
be continued.
The Omaha High school glee club and
the Swedish Male chorus gave several
selections.
-----~-.--- Aadiencs. sins..
The audience was asked to join in the
singing OF "Adeste Fidens" and "IIark,
the Herald Angels Sing" led by Prof
Cox and the Omaha Symphony orchestra.
They did. and with a will. and the big
Auditorium resounded as thousands of
voices raised in the Christmas carols.
Following this the little tots, some ac-
companied by their parents and some
bravely advancing alone, were marshaled
into line to receive their presents Claude
Bessie attired himself in the garb of the
popular NeTblOn Oh SANTA NlauS ana
handed out the presents.
The little folks were hustled to the
front of the line so as TO be sure that
they were supplied before the supply ran
out, But the supply didn't run out and
everybody who was in line received
package.
Old and Young There.
1t was a queer and unusual company
AI,,N ,I-l sy, H.
in ages from 8 to SO. they all were given
a package containing the same articles.
Color and race alike were served. Some
Of those in line were tattered and torn
and manifestly the victims of cruel
circumstance, while others were more
prosperously draped
Those in charge e. the distribution were
a bit disappointed when apparently WELL
to-do individuals thrust themselves greed
lily into line, but no word of protest was
passed. Even though the commissioners
had announced that the object of the
municipal tree was to provide a little
Christmas cheer to those who are des-
tined to spend a dreary holiday fully
400 persons who didn't appear to need
charity pressed forward. Nothing was
said and each received a package.
Children in Readiness.
The sight OF the little lads and lassies
in line waiting for their packages was
a treat for sore eyes. Mournful little
faces frightened perceptibly when the
call to form in line was announced. Dur
ing the whole musical performance. from
S:15 until shortly before 10 o'clock, the
little ones sat patiently in the front rows
CONTINUED on Page Two, Column FourD