Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1914-12-03
MUNICIPAL CHRISTMAS TREE
Project Favored at Enthusiastic
Meeting of TownspeOple.
Executive Committee Appointed to
Make Arrangements for CeIebra-
ton in City Hail Park during
the Holiday Season.

The project for a municipal Christ
mas tree received a boost last evening
at the city hall, when n gathering Of
townspeople who met in response to
the invitation of Mayor Burke prac-
tically decided that it would be con-
sistent with the character of Burlington
as n progressive city to observe the
spirit of Christmas as community
by having a tree in the City Hall Park.
AS the Idea is an entirely new one
those present did not undertake to ar
range anything in detail but several
practical suggestions were offered and
an executive committee was appointed
to take up the work and If necessary,
to appoint sub committees to look after
various phases of the plan.
Mayor Burke was elected chairman
of the meeting and Mrs. b. H. Stone
secretary. The mayor explained the
idea of municipal tree such as has
been tried out in other cities and he
added that he thought it was the duty
of the citizens of the most progressive
! city In the State to see that the prop
osition is carried to n successful COM
pletion. The main idea is to have a
large tree in the City Hall Park dur
/
illuminated with electric globes and
decorated with tinsel and a program
of carols, etc, to be carried out nightly.
He suggested farther, that in some
cities arrangements had been made for
the establishment of a bureau for re-
ceiving gifts, the same to be distributed
| by automobile.
Miss Mary Farrell, secretary of the
Il o,-t,, ,n,,t % tot % hn fhnn M
club. said she had been in correspon-
dence with other cities which had en-
joyed the institution of public Christ
mas trees and she mentioned one in New
York which had been decorated with
%, 900 or 10000 electric lights. There
was also a nightly program of carols
by the children and others.
James Z. Taylor, secretary of the
Greater Vermont association, said that
the Christmas tree would create the
community spirit and enthusiasm that
was needed in a city.
Simon 1. Platka, president of the
Merchants association, spoke In favor
of the idea, but thought that the dis
tribution of gifts should be dispensed
with. Remarks We're also made by
Prof G.. G. Groat, Miss Elsie Brown.
Mrs. George l.. Pease and others.
/ 1t was finally decided to appoint n
committee consisting of Miss Farrell,
Mrs. Henry r. Shaw and Simon L.
Platka to choose an executive commit
tee, which last shall take charge of the
Christmas tree project. This commit
tee reported as follows: Athena club.
Mrs p L. McSweeney, Mrs. p. F.
Roddy, Mrs. George l.. Pease, Miss
Julia Garvey. Mrs. Mary R. Burrtt
Klifa club, Mrs. c. II. Darling, Mrs F,
w. Perry, Mrs. Lyman Allen, Mrs
Moore. Miss Emma j. Chapman, Miss
Mary Farrell. Miss Halle Brownell
Neighborhood House, Miss Mabel
Brownell. Other members are C. s
Van Patton, T. b. Wright and James
p. Taylor and J. e. Tracy and F. L.
Freeman for the press
1t was decided that the committee
should meet on call by Secretary J. p
Taylor of the Greater Vermont associa
ton.
Much enthusiasm was manifested al
the meeting. but there seemed to be a
general expression against having
gifts as a part of the scheme, the idea
being that the tree should represent
merely the Christmas spirit of the COM
munity. The matter of expenses will
be determined by the committee. Mayor
Burke said that lights for the electric
globes for the tree would be furnished
by the municipal plant and he felt sure
the aldermen would stand behind the
project.