Omaha daily bee., 1915-12-26
MIDNIGHT MASS
FEATURE OF NEW
YORK CELEBRATION
Million Persons Attend Services
Marking Opening of Christ
mas Day in the Cath
Ollie Churches.
DENVER CHURCH BELLS RING
Large Christmas Dinners Served to
Scores of Needy Individuals
Without Home Ties.
BIG TREE AT THE WHITE HOUSE

NEW YORK. Dec. 25.--New York
City celebrated a joyous and pros
porous Christmas with a lavish dis
tribution of gifts and an unusually
large outlay of charity.
After a display of community
trees in various parks and public
eenters 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
churches. This was the first time in
fifteen years that midnight mass
Was celebrated. 1t is estimated that
1000, 900 persons took part In the
masses.
Baskets of food were distributed to
N,00o persons by the Salvation Army and
The Volunteers of Amerca- An unusual
incident OF the celebration was the din
ner given by the crew of the battleship
New York to 100 boys and girls who
otherwise would have had no Christmas
dinner. Santa Claus brought a pair of
shoes for every boy and girl. dolls for
the girls and Scout suits for the boys.
Throughout the financial district the
employees OF stock exchanges, banks and
other financial interests were made
happy by gifts amounting to nearly
t1.Ooo.Ooo The New York Stock exchange
had distributed among its employees from
: to 50 per cent of their years salary as
Christmas presents. Six thousand en-
ployes of the Brooklyn Rapid Transit
company rejoiced over the announcement
of increases in pay, beginning January /,
and agsregating S250.0OO a year.
Church Bells Ring at Denver.
DENVER, Dec. 25.-Throughout the
Rocky mountain region urban and rural
residents Joined in the celebration of
Christmas today. Official and private
business was suspended and all activities
centered around the dispensing and en-
joyment Of good cheer.
In Denver the worldwide holiday was
ushered In at midnight by the ringing of
church bells, speciai Christmas services
were held at many churches. Distribu-
ton of Christmas supplies to the needy
claimed the attention OF all charity Or
ganikations and hundreds OF Individuals.
Several large Christmas dinners were at
tended by scores Of needy individuals
without family tiles. Special exercises
and dinners featured the festivities at all
state and municipal institutions.
At Colorado Springs feature OF the
celebration was a Christmas tree in one
of the parks bearing trays of edibles
for the birds.
The festivities at El Paso, Texas were
opened last night with a chorus of 200
United States soldiers singing carols and
hymns accompanied my military bands
Gifts of clothing, toys and other ar
ticles were distributed from the muni-
ciual tree to thirteen hundred children,
most members OF refugee Mexican fam
lilies.
Christmas Tree at white House.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 25.-Christmas
festivities at the White House today
were devoted largely to the entertain
ment of President Wilson's grand child
rem, little Miss Ellen McAdoo. Master
Francis Sayre and Miss Josephine Goth
ran, q grand niece Of 12-years. l. II.
Hoover, chief usher at the White House
played Santa Claus in the absence of
the president
There was a large Christmas tree In
the library on the second floor OF the
White House elaborately decorated and
laden with packages. Although the presi-
dent was away there was presents and
good wishes from him for the youngsters
and the grown-ups. too.
The White House festivities will be
rounded out with a dinner for the fam
lily groug In the state dining room this
evening.
Second Crop of Pears.
HOUSTON. TEX. Dec. 25 Cxmas.)-
Fresh pears. the second crop of the
season is a unique dish appearing on a
number of Christmas tables today in
this section. After the August 16 storm
when the trees were stripped of leaves
trees put out new leaves and biossomed
again. The fruit is claimed to be OF
better quality than the first crop.
quiet Day at Hot Springs.
HOT SPRINGS. Va, Dec. 25.-The pres,
ident and Mrs. Wilson spent Christmas
day quietly and dined in their suite al
seven o'clock this evening after motol
drive.