Tulsa daily world. [volume] (Tulsa, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1905-1919, 1916-12-24


Thru the efforts Of the Central
Christmas Giving committee ana other
organizations there was not "A home
In Tulsa or vicinity last night whore
the spirit of Christmas had not en-
tered and taken up its abode. Nearly
five hundred families in all were pro-
vided with ncccssitics Of life and
Christmas gifts by the various organ
iZations and individuals engaged In
that work
The Central committee. with the aid
of 25 automobiles and twenty volun-
tecr workers, succeeded In distribu-
tion To each of two hundred or more
deserving poor families basket of
staple groceries. valued at $40. and
to every poor child a sack of candy
fruit and nuts. IA toy and pair OF
stockings Where the cases demanded
II orders were issued for shoes. More
than 5000 worth of shoes will be is
sued ON these orders by the Humane
society this week.
Nearly $1,000 was contributed to tho
Empty Stocking fund for this work.
After all supplies had been purchased
there was Il surplus The committee
gave 800 Of this 10 Adjutant Ilick-
man Cf the salvation Army yesterday
TO aid him In defraying the expenses
Of the charitable work that ne Is in
charge Of The balance will he used
by the Humane society in cfring for
destitute people during the remainder
Of the cold spell.
Beautiful Snow Gone.
Tho snow melted Yesterday under
warm winds until the "hlankot OF
white" has been replaced by a coat
Of slush and mud There Is little hope
for "whitc Christmas" In Tulsa
now. The biggest days business In
the history of down town stores was
recorded yesterday. Until n late hour
last night the stores were Iammcd
with last-hour shoppers and in many
cases the Christmas supplies were
absolutely exhausted. Traffic was
congestcd in the business district all
during the early hours Of the evening
Handsome bonuses and other cash
gifts made by local oil companies,
banks and other institutions. TO their
employees, helped to swell the volume
of business done by retailers.
A brass bard played at different
points in the business district during
the overing. Thousands viewed the
Tree of Light ut Fourth and Boston.
Today and tomorrow the various
churches and Sunday schools will hold
their Christmas entertainments Bust
Monday, most of the stores having
announced their Intention of remain
Ing closed all day. All public offices
and banks win not be opened again
until Tuesday morning. The World
viii issue paper today and tomorrow
the same as usual.
Tho first community Christmas YES
per service ever held In Tulsa vii oc-
cur at Convention hall this afternoon
at $3.50 o'clock. An especially strong
ana appropriate musical program has
been arranged and hundreds of per
sons from all walks in life arc eN-
peCted'to attend.
joyful Tasks
There were no happier persons In
Tulsa Yesterday than the men and
women who assisted in distributing
the baskets of good things prepared
by the Central Christmas giving com
mittee. They trudged thru snow and
mud to deliver the packages. Many
Of them had to go to nearby towrs
and into all sorts OF out-of-the-w
places. But the tears OF JOY ana
smiles Of g,adness that greeted them
I'm each instance We're enough to more
than repay them for their efforts.
II was in the houseboats and
the crude homes along the Arkansas
river front that enc OF tho distributors
found the greatest need Of food and
clothing. In one tent into which this
agent OF the real Christmas spirit
went were grouped four lite children
around woman whose only support
was a son yet In his teens
Her name, she said, must have been
placed in the hands of the committee
by someone who knew Of her condi-
ton but who had never spoken to hel
about doing Il.
"You see" she told the man In the
fur overcoat, 1--WE are poor but the
boy, he works, and so we have never
had the hardships that some OF the
folks in the bottom have had. But
there are none who Will appropriate II
more. because the boy has talked a
heap about what he would like to do
about a Christmas dinner, but boy,
yA,u know. can't give mother ana
brothers and sisters everything"
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