Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1918-12-26
SAILORS ENTERTAIN
. CH|LDRENOF SLUMS
Several Hundred Riddles Given
Real Christmas Treat on
Board Leviathan.
CRPHANAGES ARE EMPTIED
Jackies Collect Waits From
Streets of Hoboken and
New York.
0RPHANAGES ARE EMPTIED

-
NEW YORK. December 2j.-Orphancd
children OF New York City and
Hobolten, little folks At whose homes
financial circumstances make Christ
mas slim affair, and "newSics" from
the l1oboken streets and New Jersey
terminals-numbering in all more than
i2oo were tn" guests to-day at real
Christmas party held on board the
monster American steamship Levia-
than. The hosts OF the occasion were
the 300 or more sailors who make
up The operating personnel Of the
snip. The expense was borne by them.
and ii vas al planned and arranged
Tor during the liners recent voyage
home with $500 American soldiers and
ailors.
This reception was the first OF a
pubic nature held the ship since
the flag Of Germany was lowered on
the '2,"co-ton veessel omc year ago
iast April and her Teutonic name.
Naterland. changed TO the one she now
bears.
The children were from various
orphan asylums with no restriction rs
TO color or religion. Automobiles
driven by Army and Navy transport
men and women. picked up tho vomng
stcrs at the doors OF tho ,inStitutious
and transported them TO the ship
taxing them home again after they
had been bounteously supplied with
good things to eat anu with gifts
experimenting the children from the
various orpharaGes. the sailors sought
out private homes where sickness and
misfortune had made itself felt this
year and where the Christmas that
children look forward to did not dawn.
These little persons were brought 70
the snip and returned by the blue
jackets as their personal charges.
When all the anticipated guests were
on hand II was found there were extra
tables and plates with no one in front
OF them. Once more the sailors sailed
forth 10 the streets, and a sufficient
number OF small newsboys and boot
blacks were picked up around the New
Jersey railroad and ferry terminals
10 fill out the vacancies.
DINNER IN DINlSt: SALOON
OF GIANT LINER
The dinner was first on the program.
]; was served in the great hall which
was formerly the irst-class dining
saloon Of tho giant liner. sailors
mess tables were grouped around IL
large Christmas tres set In The center
of The saloon several hundred women
from the home service and cantcen
section of the Red Cross. volunteers
from the various orphan homes and
relatives of the ships officers and men.
among whom was Mrs. Phelps. wife
OF the captain. assisted the sailors in
serving the guests.
Each guest had an nttendant--if tho
little hands could not manipulate the
man-sizc knives ard forks. Il pair OF
blue -slecvcd arms reached over and
they did The cutting for him. accom-
son. eat your head off: there's plenty
moro" And there was plenty. The
100 cooks and cooks assistants on the
Leviathan had been working for thr-
ty-siN hours preparing the feast.
There were l,"00 pounds of turkey. with
proportiouate Quantities of oyster
dressing. cranberry sauce. sweet pota-
toes. and other side dishes, and Il dray
load OF apple pies and enough ice cream
TO feed regiment. There were
oranges. apples, bananas and cakes.
During the dinner the great ships
organ pcalcd out airs OF popular songs.
After the dinner Santa Claus ap-
pearcd in the disguised person Of Chief
Electrician Costello. y blast from Il
bugle announced the arrival of his
launch alongside. The guard OF honor
was drawn up. and he was "pipcd over
the side" in regulation naval style. and
escorted to the dining hall with all
the Difference that would be paid to q
visiting admiral.
Santa Claus's task was cut out for
him He found awaiting his arrival
at the foo: of the tree a cargo Of
gifts OF the Kind children delight in
There was a toy for every boy and
girl present and in addition a half
pound box OF candy. Then came a
visit by all to the winter garden of the
ship. 10 witness a haif-hour entertain-
mcnt OF motion pictures and Il puppet
show