Evening star., 1915-12-25
FR|CK BRINGS 10Y
T0MANY CHILDREN
Will Reimburse Those Who
Had Deposits in Closed
Pittsburgh Savings Bank.
PAYMENT TO BE MADE
AT THE SCHOOLHOUSES
Employees in the New York Financial
District Receive Substantial Gifts.
Christmas in New York.

PITTSBURGH, Pa, December 25.-Joy
prevails in the hearts of Pittsburgh
school children as a result Of the an
nouncement by H. G. Frick. million
aire coal magnate, that he will pay in
full as Christmas gift all the accounts
of the 41,O00 children depositors in the
Pittsburgh Bank for Savings. which
was closed here Wednesday by order
of the state department Of banking.
The deposits amount to $167, 1868, and
payment will be made in cash Just as
soon as the necessary arrangements
can be completed.
W When Mr.. Frick, who is in New
children were depositors, he at once
communicated with H. c. McEldowney,
president of another local bank, and
announced that he would take care of
the fund In such way that the school
children would not lose a cent. The
proposal was submitted to G. H. Getty,
receiver for the closed institution. who
secured the approval of State Banking
Commissioner w. H. Smith and Attor-
ney General Frank S. Brown to assist
in carrying out the plan.
Mr.. Frick specified in his proposal
that the children were to receive their
money without delay, and arrange
ments were made with officials of the
Pittsburgh Bank for Savings and the
plan for the paying Of the 1900 ac-
counts just as soon as state banking
officials can complete their canvass Of
the books Of the closed institution.
Disbursement at the Schools.
The school children who will receive
their deposits under the plan of Mr..
Frick to take over their accounts will
not be permitted to appear at the bank
ing house when the money is paid. In
stead it is planned to have details
worked out SO that when the schools
reopen after the Christmas holidays
pills are depositors temporarily will be-
come a disbursing point. The Pitts
burgh Bank for Savings building Is in
the heart Of the financial district, and
children were allowed to go to the
bank foreigners and others might mis-
understand the situation and precipi-
tate runs on some of the other banks
in the Immediate neighborhood.
Steel mills in the Pittsburgh district
were closed today in order to give en-
ployes an opportunity to observe
Christmas. majority suspended oper-
morrow night, despite enormous busi-
ness pressure.
Work of Charity Organizations.
Charitable organizations today sent
out hundreds of baskets filled with
provisions to needy families and also
served dinners to scores of others in
downtown buildings. A community
Christmas tree has been erected on
the North Side. and entertainments will
be held there nightly during holiday
week.
Twelve hundred newsboys are ex-
pected to be guests Of the Iron City
Central Trades Council at a turkey din
ner late today, at which Samuel Com
Grafton Of Labor. will be the chief
speaker.
Celebration in New York.
NEW YORK. December 25.-New York
city celebrated a joyous and prosper
GUS Christmas with a lavish distribu-
ton of gifts and an unusually large
outlay of charity.
or trees of light" in various parks
and public centers throughout the city
last night, the day was ushered in not
only here but throughout the arch
diocese of New York with midnight
masses in most Of the Catholic church
years that midnight mass was cele-
brated. It is estimated that 100000
persons took part
Baskets Of Food Distributed.
Baskets Of food were distributed to
10000 persons by the Salvation Army
and the Volunteers OF America. An
unusual incident Of the celebration wae
the dinner given by the crew OF the
battleship New York to 100 boys and
girls who otherwise would have had
no Christmas dinner.
The sailors welcomed the children on
board the dreadnaught at the New
York navy yard, and one Of them in
Santa Claus guise presented each guest
with toys. Dinner was served on the
battleships gun deck. after which the
sailors entertained the children with
dancing. music and moving pictures.
Santa Claus brought a pair of shoes
for every boy and girl. dolls for the
girls and scout suits fer the boys.
Throughout the financial district the
employees of stock exchanges, banks
and other financial institutions were
made happy by gifts amounting to
nearly q million dollars. The New York
Stock Exchange had distributed among
its employees from to 80 per cent of
their years salaries as Christnas pres
erlts. Six thousand employees Of the
Brooklyn Rapid Transit Company re-
ioiced over the announcement OF in.
creases in pay. beginning January !,
Commands New Yofk's Crew.