Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1914-12-25
COMMUNITY TREE
G[ADDENS 10000
Immense Crowd Packs Ford Lot
Approaches to Watch I'm
posing Spectacle.
BRAVES CHILLING WIND
School Choir of 1000 and Folk
Dancing Exhibit Win APP
plause of Celebrants.


tors and performers I'm the ceremonial
that surrounded the dedication of
Richmond's second community Christ
mas tree--a giant spruce that lowered
hiSh In the city's very heart to assert
the triumph of peace in world un-
naturally rivcn by war
a troublous day in n troubIous time
detracted nothing from it's magnif-
ccnce. veteran OF the forest when
the rude axcman laid il low In order
that ii might be rcssurrectcd and live
again for Il multitude. il stood un-
bending and unhumbled in it's foreign
setting, witness TO the abiding love
that Christ taught but which kings
trampled underfOot.
FIvE-POINTED STAR OVER
MONARCH EVERGREEN
In the history of the city there was
never such a Christmas tree. Its
brother of last ycar-the first OF the
community tree dynasty-wilI always
be remembered as the founder of the
royal line. but il lacked the stature
and regal bearing OF it's prouder of
spring.
At the very tip of the monarch ever
green--fifty feet from the ground
hung poised Il five-pointed star, fash
toned of steel and studded with tiny
electric Hght3-a man-made Star OF
Bethlehem that drew the gaze of the
thousa nds that packed the open space
around the Ford Hotel lot, even as the
star IN the long ago drew the gaze of
three wise men and led them to n low
ly home in Judea.
1t was fitting that Richmond should
have reared a second tree when other
opulcnt cities this year. pleading a
diminished treasury and untOward
economic conditions. abandoned the
ceremony as cntailing an expenditure
that might better be diverted to other
a. "a M, ,.l irt, nd hac mt
been immune from the effects of the
widespread industrial depression that
has followed the upheaval on the other
side OF the Atlantic. Only last week
the city fathers took s125, 600 from the
city's slender purse to give work TO
willing, but idle. hands.
RICHMOND'S SPIRIT OF GIVING
MADE OF ENDURING STUFF
But Richmond has herself known the
sound of shrapne1 and the blight of the
vandal torch. Half a century ago was
forged the spirit OF community con-
sciousness which has set apart tile
city on the James as the home of men
ana women who love their city. their
iiresides and their guests. 1t was
Christmastide and the season TO give
The months have been lean months,
and many dividends have been passed
all the more reason that the city should
rear another Christmas tree 10 show
OF giving is made of enduring stuff.
And so, last night. on the turfed
Broad Street lot upon which some day
VIII stand mighty municipal struc-
ture. there sprang into light. after
weeks Of preparation. 4 fairy tree hung
from foot TO tip with festoons Of gold
and silver-graceful half-heart festoons
studded with red, blue, white, yellow
and purple electric lights. From the
tips of the branches all around shone
In fantastic profusion the frosty
baubles OF Yuletide. over it. in clear
white halo Of it's own. burned brightly
the artiticed Star OF Bethlehem.
SCHOOL CHILDREN SING
HYMNS OF CHRISTMAS
Promptly upon the stroke OF there
broke from choir Of more than 1000
school children. seated in the impro-
viscd gran6stand, the stirring anthem
20. Come All Ic Faithful" calling in
full-throated song upon the joyful and
triumphant TO come to Bethlehem and
behold Him born the King OF Angels
Hardly had the sound of the opening
verse died away when Chief Inspector
]. l.. SpeiGhts. OF the Electric Depart
ment. pulled a hidden switch and the
Community Christmas Tree, up to that
moment In darkness sprang into life
For two minutes the tree and attendant
star glowed in n thousand lights. while
the thousands that pressed against the
roped barrier gasped and shouted their
admiration. Then 1t became suddenly
dark again. The school choir sang a
stanza from "Hark. The Herald Angels
Sing" and again the invisible electric
soul gave the star-crowned Christmas
tree life.
Around the tree stood detachment
from the Richmond Howitzers keep
ing guard over ground sacred to
the spirit of giving. On the Broad
"a stYnn Sil
big quadrangle were ranged details
from the Richmond Light In
fantry Blues and the First Regiment,
Virginia Volunteers, heavily wrapped
against the cold and guns on their
shoulders. to bar from the inner in
closure the most orderly large crowd
that Richmond has seen in years.
IMMENSE TIIRONG
WITNESSES CEREMONY
All of Eleventh Street. between the
City Hall block and the Ford Hotel
lot. was closed to traffic and roped off
for the inSreSS and egress of the 1000
school children. Boy Scouts, soldiers
and policemen who had a share in the
spectacle. y Gordon OF blue-coats
guarded the rope barriers, and squad
of Boy Scouts. armed with imposing
staffs, did sentinel duty in the inner
inclosurc.
There followed other hymns and
Christmas carols, the tree remaining
In darkness during the singing, and
lighting up again during the inter-
missions Professor Walter c. Mercer.
musical director of the Richmond pub
lie schools, welded the baton, and
Kessnich's Band supplied the music.
The big additional feature Of this
years celebration was an exhibition
OF folk dancing under the direction Of
Miss NJ. V. Ramos. of the municipal
playground forces. The dancers, n
picked company Of thirty or more girls
ranging in age from eight to eighteen
years. performed in costume on a large
platform Immediately 10 the south OF
the tree.
DANCE POPULAR FOLK
DANCE OF BELGIUM
The first dancing number was the
Oxford Minuet, graceful dance OF
slow movement, which the crowd re-
ceived with prolonged applause. Az
Continued on Second PareO