Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1917-12-24
SANTA CLAUS TO GET
OLD-TIME WELCOME
LContinued from First Pape.T

ISJ
back home and whiff once more the
aroma OF real home cooking. that
what may happen in the future was
tide.
Many a mother and father felt that
rate was unkind in not shipping
their son home, too, for Christmas
dinner, but they had the solace of
knowing that the camps have been
pretty well supplied with cheer. To
camp Hancock, for instance, where
$1,000 men from Pennsylvania are
bivouacked eighteen tons of turkey
were delivered on Saturday.
Plenty to Eat
The dressed birds will be turned
over to mess sergeants to-day and
the roasting of them in the field bak-
cry will begin this evening. Most of
the soldiers will have four and a
half straight days respite from all
drill and work. though some will be
unfortunate enough to draw guard
duty for part of the time.
AS Tor Harrisburg, not in many
years has the public been so free
with its Christmas coin, this being
due partly to the three-quarters of a
million dollars which was paid out
by savings institutions. For two
weeks the shopping district has been
crowded to overhowing, and one
thing sure is that the youngster will
be just as well treated this year as
last. American toys, which replaced
those made in hated Germany, have
sold prodigiously, among the popu-
lar innovations being dolls made of
wood and the many toy industrial
mechanicals.
"Cash and Carry
Shortage of hauling facilities could
not interfere with this years Christ
mas traffic. Cash and carry" was
the slogan the last few days and it
was funny enough to-day to see the
tardy buyers trying to enter a street
car with two turkeys and a Christ
mas tree.
While the children of Harrisburg
are being so plentifully cared for it
is fine to know that the American
soldiers over in stricken France have
purchased thousands of dollars
worth of toys and clothing for the
children of refugees. One unit of
infantrymen bought 800 overcoats
for French destitute children. All
the American air squadrons will set
up Christmas trees for the children
of the nearby town. They will be
illuminated with candles and gifts
will be presented to each little or
phan. All over the fighting zone this
will be a Christmas long to be re-
membered If American generosity
can make it so.
Saturday night and all day Sun
day the Pennsylvania station was the
brothers and sisters of Dauphin
county men in service. OF the
total of 1900 probably $50 secured
leave of absence. Many are from
so considerable a distance that they
will be able to stay home only long
enough to help devour the Christ
mas turkey. There was something
inspiring and comforting in the pres
ence of these stalwart soldiers, whose
general Improvement, morally and
physically was noted by thousands
of persons who kept an appreciative
eye on the men in uniform wherever
they appeared.
Many Charities
The big charities of Harrisburg
had all they could do to look after
the poor and suffering. The Saliva
ton Army, by means of it's collection
bowls at different points of the busi-
ness section collected q sum sufficient
to supply dinners to several dozen
families. The Associated Aid Socie-
ties gave out manv dinners in bas-
kets and also much candy. Clothing
and coal were literally supplied to
persons in distress. The aged men
and women at the almshouse will
be given their annual Christmas tree
and treat by Mrs. A. Carson Stamm,
while musical program will be rem
dered for them to-day.
The city, county and state Offices
will be closed ali day tomorrow. The
main post office and Hill and Maclay
stations will be closed from 10 a. m.
until IL p. m. All carriers will make
their first delivery and collection and
the $40, 7.30 and 1920 p. m. col
lections. Rural carriers will make a
delivery on that day.