Arizona republican., 1916-12-24
EACH BASKET iS PRODUCER
 OF REAL JOY
BY WARD ADAMS

The proverbial fountain of youth had nothing on the Salvation Army Christmas tree in it's age destroying properties.
 The old were made to look young, there was the brightness of youth in their eyes and their faces were light ed with a smiling glow when 150 poor families gathered about the majestic Christmas tree, resplendent in its beauty, in the lobby of the hotel Adams yesterday afternoon, there to receive baskets filled with untold wonders. And it might be added that each family that benefited from tho distribution was represented in full quota.
 Each basket was of itself a joy producer. The Christmas tree with real live Santa Claus distributing the parcels, bespoke the true Christmas ! spirit-it is better to give than to re- ceive. The entire atmosphere was crowned with the Yuletide feeling. ] It was truly an suspicious sight and an suspicious occasion. There they were the hundreds of unfor- i tunate packages of humanity, crowd | ing into the hotel lobby, eager to catch glimpse of the mammoth tree that was so heavily laden with ] the worldly wonders. yet shrinking with a sort of stage fright" The lit- tie kiddies. in true child fashion, clung to their mothers dresses. frightened smile exposing the un- speakahle feeling of joy that was hidden in their little souls. And the mothers and the fathers were also conspicious. Such good fortune wa seldom theirs and appreciation was ! written on each individual face
 Seated in the big leather chairs that surrounded the tree, back in 9 1 sort of oblivion, were persons who had experienced only the comforts of life and the contrast so formed was q powerful one, a contrast that i'm beded itself in a large portion of those present. On many of these persons were written the stories of worldly battles that had been fought and lost Yet in every instance, these persons who had suffered life's great est defeat stood boldly by and with set teeth and cold determination, smiled the smile of the happy And the rich smiled with them.
 Santa Claus, with his merry bells and snow white beard. added the final touch that made the picture com plete. Santy announced that for 2020 wears he had been engaged in full filling the wants of the needy and that the good work would continue until the end of the world
 Governor -elect Thomas Campbell was an interested spectator at the festivities and it was evident that h. partook of the joys as the common individual
 Each basket con;aired the follow ing foodstuffs: chicken. celery, bread flour, cramberries, crackers, beans hominy, spaghetti. coffee, ginger snaps, meat, canned vegetables. salt pepper, sugar and fruit. Of course the quantity varied, according to the size of the family.
 While the Salva ton Army was en- gagged in this public distribution o baskets. the Associated Charities ant E,lks lodge were carrying on simi- lar work in 9 less conspicuous man nef. The former distributed about 10( baskets to various families in tn, city while the Elks gave out nearly 900 to the mary needy.
 The Salvation Army work will no he concluded until Monday evening however when 800 pairs of stocking. are to be distributed to the unfor. tunate little kiddies of the city.
 A line program of musical number! by the Lyric and Apollo clubs will b. given in connection with the dis stribution Monday night. There vii be over 70 voices under the direction of Mrs. Tafel and McCulloch.
 Each pair of stockings will contain a toy, candy, nuts and fruit. Ther will be plentp of entertainment fo 1 all and everybody is cordially invited to attend.
 The big stock of provisions whicl has been piled around the big tree will be moved to the Salvation Arm, store room New Years day and vii Ne distributed among the poor fami