Arizona republican., 1918-12-25
CHRISTMAS DAY
 HAPPY 0NE FUR
 NEEDY IF CITY
Baskets of Food for Bounti- ful Dinner and Clothing, Candy and Toys Distri- buted to Poor Families

| the first days of the week, the day be- fore Christmas dawned bright and clear, presaging a pleasant, happy sun shiny celebration in Phoenix Of the natal day.
 Christmas day of 1918 will be one long to be remembered, for, coming with the vanishing of the war clouds ii will be t/ occasion of the reunltihs of many family circles, broken with the call to the service of country. Tn this respect the dar will long be treas ured by the people of Phoenix, rich and poor, of every race and color.
 The Christmas spirit was everywhere yesterday, searching to make the day a more happy one for the unfortunates, those who, unaided, are unprepared 10 observe it as it was intended to be oo- served To these who, through the eff forts of others will be able to taste the joys of Christmas cheer. the day will he an especially happy one
 Began Days Ago
 The spreading of Christmas cheer began ostentatiouslv yesterday after noon, though it had been in preparation many days. And thanks to the Elks. the Moose and other fr3ternal organi cations and to the Salvation Army. 1t was spread to every poor home In the city.
 One hundred and three baskets, each complete for hountlful Christmas TOT an entire family. were distributed yes terdav afternoon by the Salvation Ar my, as an-opening shot. as it were. The distribution was scheduled to take place on the city hall plaza, but at the last minute it was changed to the Sal 1 vation Army hall at Second and Jeff ferson streets.
 1 Previous to this, however. tickets for the baskets had been issued to the de- serving poor families of the city after each family had been investigated. The hour for,th basket distribution, which was to decide the Christmas fate or hundreds of people found every pos sessor of ticket in line at the hall eager to get his or her basket and take 1 it home.
 Baskets Groaned
 With a policeman guarding the door to prevent a rush, the hundred persons were speedily passed through the hall. going in the front door, getting their basket. and filing out the back way. The whole thing was over in less than an hour,-and hundred families made happy.
 And they were baskets such as any one would be ~fad to have for Christ mas Day, baskets overloaded with good ! things. In each was a chicken, vege 1 tables. flour, fresh meat sugar, coffee | butter, lard. rice and all that 1t needed to prepare a wonderful Christmas din- ner. With the food were articles of clothing and toys for the kiddies Of the family.
 That was just the beginning of the | hn nf n i get. Tonight the poor children of the city will have Christmas all their own and ;t Christmas any child would be delighted with The Salvation Ar my is again responsible for it.
 Tree For The Children
 Tonight Santa Claus will break his retirement of year and fare forth to l the cit yhall plaza. there to preside at 1 the Christmas of the kiddies. A Christ mas tr~e will be there and there will be fiy, hundred and more stockings. l real Christ-,as stockings, crammed with nuts and candy and fruit and toys. There Santa Claus and the Sal vation Army workers he has enlisted 1 for aids will dispense cheer to the chil- dren who have been given tickets for stockings, ai every child who needs a ticket has been given one.
 Meanwhile, the Elks with the same Christmas spirit of spreading joy to those who cannot buy it for themselves. are carrying on the same good work. All last week committee of the lodge has been working. and working hard. ! Countless stores Of provisions. inclun- ing two whole steers butchered for the occasion, have been stored away. until | the lower floor of the Elks club house resembled a complete store
 Elks Care For 200 Families Yesterday the Elks began distrb- uting their Christmas cheer Like the Salvation Army they had canvasseo the city and found every needy home Every family. every person in it, with full particulars of information, was in the hands of the committee. So when the baskets were given to the families the contained ample supply of cheer for efery person in the family. The Elks baskets, like the others contained almost every sort of food a cook needs to make 8 perfect meal. and two and three meals and more, and clothing and toys.
 The Elks took care of more than 200 persons yesterday, and will complete their self-chosen work today Although this is yearly custom of the great or der throughout the country, the Elks Christmas in Phoenix in 1918 bids fair to be their best in the state in all past time.
 But at that the Christmas cheer work is just begun. Everybody, who for one cause and another cannot make his or her own Christmas this year will have it made for them. At the state asylum for the insane every patient will get a Christine stocking with candy and nuts, in addition to wha, they may get from home And to top it all, will be a special turkey dinner at the hospital.
 Christmas at the Jail
 So with the county jail Prisoners there will get real holiday dinner, and in addition, the Salvation Army will hold services for the 70 prisoners at the jail at II o'clock this morning. and each will receive a Christmas stock Ing and special Christmas number of the War Cry" the Salvation Army'pa- per. Prisoners at the city jail will not be forgotten in the matter of Christmas dinner. either
 Many of the churches will also ob serve Christmas Day with services this morning. | Meanwhile, on account of the influ enza epidemic. it has been decided moi to have any special festivities at the pig Christmas tree in the lobby of the Hotel Adams. The huge stores of pro- visions at the base of the tree will be left there until New Years Day. after which they too will be distributed
 --O-
 NEW SECRETARY EARNEST
 Republican A. p. Leased Wire1