The New York herald., 1920-12-25
HOSPITALS ARE VISITED
Shut In Children and Dis
abled Soldiers Share in
Holiday Bounty.
TREE OF LIGHT ABLAZE
Shoppers in Madison Square
See Giant Spruce Shed
Cleans of Cheer.

Two crippled men, both gray haired
and their faces scanned and weather
beaten, ate a whole mince pie apiece
for their Christmas dinner Yesterday
That constituted their only holiday
fare, but they enjoyed it as much as
II it had been six course meal They
were the last comers at the Greater
New York Philanthropic Society's
free Christmas dinner. which was
served from 8 o'clock in the morning
until in the afternoon at 81 City
Hall place.
'T'aint our fault" volunteered one
of the cripples. You see, Cap'n," ad-
dressing the man in charge of the
serving. me and me pal there was
here early enough to get a square
meal, but we just couldn't stand so
long. That's why we was late. Any
thing left?" he inquired anxiously.
"Only these" answered the one in
charge, showing on the counter cou-
pie of rich mince pies. But you and
your pal can have a whole pie each.
Think you can eat it?"
ken we eat it? oh, boy; watch now"
And the pair fell to with degree of en-
thuslasm that mere labor never in
spires
Those who arrived earlier had lot
more to eat. The Christmas menu, for
which no charge was made, included
roast pork with dressing. mashed pota-
toes, mashed turnips. apple sauce, coffee
with cream and sugar and half mince
pie.
Hunger Line of women.
few blocks further east and little
to the north across the Bowery, there
was another big Christmas dinner line.
but this one was composed almost en-
drely of women. At "a Cherry street
the Salvation Army which has "A branch
at that address, began giving out some
of Its more than 1000 Christmas baskets.
which brought comfort and happiness to
many poor homes.
According to Staff Captain Florence
Dean. who has been In charge of the
branch for just one week JG7 baskets.
brinful of goodies and supplying the only
Christmas cheer to practically that num-
Der Of households, were passed out by
salvation Army members during the
hours between 8 in the morning and
in the afternoon.
Mothers, children and few fathers
stood three deep in the line which at
times extended TO New Chambers street
And most of them looked worn and
weary. according to Staff Captain Dean
Each basket contained box of rice
chicken. can each of tomatoes, peas
corn and milk, some coffee, sugar a
Christmas card and a book of Psalms.
That scene was duplicated in prac-
tically every detail in half a dozen
other centres. all of which were visited
by Commander Evangeline Booth. The
distributing started at $50 A. NJ at
the Salvation Army station at 155 East
18th street, and an hour later at the
branch at 21s East Fortieth street. At
Cooper square the distributing started
at 11:SO and at 143 Ashland place. Brook
lyn. at 1870 p. NJ. Baskets were dis
tributed at the Staten Island station in
the evening.
Dinners for Service Men.
The American Committee for Dew
astated France gave fifty homeless
former service men, all OF them
wounded or gassed. Christmas dinner
at IS East Thirty-ninth street. After
ward they were entertained with two
film comedies. music and vaudeville
numbers. They had q big Christmas
tree brilliantly lighted. The dinner con-
sisted of turkey. ham. pie and ice
cream, with the usual vegetables.
The children In the wards of st. Vim
cents Hospital received toys and dolls.
the physicians playing the role of Santa
Claus TO more than 100 of these little
patients. Sixty children in the New
York Hospital enjoyed a tree, and many
OF the other hospitals will have to-day
Christmas morning carols and parades
and appetizing dinners for those who
can partake of the holiday fare.
John McE. Bowman, manager of the
Commodore Hotel, entertained at lunch
con nearly 1000 disabled soldiers and
their relatives at the hotel. The Stage
Women's War Relief provided pro-
gramme OF entertainment to follow the
luncheon Marie Nordstrom and Doro-
thy Kenton made speeches.
The Knights of Columbus distributed
1850 boxes OF candy and as many others
containing comforts TO men in the mill
tary hospitals on Staten Island and In
Manhattan. Supreme Secretary VIII
lam ]. Mckinley announced that 1900
councils Of the X. of e. provided Christ
mas cheer for 100, 600 inmates of orphan
ages In the United states and Canada.
More than l.40o defective children in
the Randall's Island Hospital had
Christmas entertainment. after which
Commissioner Coler assisted BY Mr..
a stocking filled with candy and toys
donated by the pupils of the Morris
High School, Theodore Roosevelt School
and annex and the Stuyvesant High
School,
At tho city's home for the aged more
than 200 men and women were the re-
cipients of Yuletide cheer. Each woman
received "A package of tea, some candy
and sugar. a dressing sack and a
woollen shawl. Each old man received
pipe and tobacco, candy and cloth
ing.
Hundreds Of dolls and toys were dis
trbuted among the patients at the city
hospitals. Among the visitors at these
institutions were Miss Muricl Wander
blt. Miss Katherine Mackey, Mrs.
NICHOLAS Brady. Mrs. Cadwallader
Forty nurses with the New York Asso-
citation for Improving the Condition OF
the Poor and twice as many other per-
sons had huge red Christmas stockings
ready for 5000 children in the tenements.
I'll shine and shine and shine aud shine
TIL all the folks that SEQ
VIII say why, that's the brightest one
On the whole Christmas tree"
Thus sang little friend Of the Tree OF