The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1922-12-24
Spirit of Peace on Earth and
Good Will to Men Prevails
Throughout Community in
Greater Degree Than Years.
Other Wise Man Remembered
PROSPERITY REIGNS KING
WITH ALL ANCIENT POWER
Merchants Report Biggest
Holiday Trade Since 1919,
With Purchasers Shopping
With Better Judgment and
Cooperation in Buying

Once again it's Christmas in BIZ
mingham And what a Christmas
The spirit of peace on Earth and
Good Will to Men" prevails in the
city in greater degree than it has
in years, according to welfare WORK
ers and others, in touch with the
pulse of the public. The citizens
of Birmingham remember the story
of "The Other Wise Man." they say.
Merchants, heads of charity o.
ganizations,, civic workers and club
members pronounce the Christmas
of 1922 the biggest and best Christ
mas since the flush year Of 1918
and the post war initiation of wages.
Industry has regained sound foot
ing this year, men are working and
wages are good. All this, it is said,
contributes to good cheer and with
which the Yule season IS being well
coined in Birmingham and jefferson
county.
MUCH money Frec lot Be4SOn
More than s1s25o,ooo has been re-
leased In dividends and pay rolls
during the last rev weeks in the Vi
cinity OF Birmingham for the pur-
chase Of Christmas presents. That
much OF this money has been used
for the purchase of gifts Is evidenced
by the statements of the merchants
OF tho city that they have expe-
rienced the biggest holiday trade
since 1919.
But, the merchants say, there is 4
difference between the buying this
year and in 1919. Folks have learned
more of the value of money. Pres
ents purchased this year have been
more sensible than ever before, they
assert. There is still another thing,
which is without precedent, that the
public has done this season. accord-
ing to the merchants. They state,
thankfully, that the Birmingham
public has co-operated with the shop
keepers and the shopworkers by shop
ping early. For the first time in
history, the shopworkers say, they
are not too tired to enjoy Christ
mas.
This spirit Of good cheer and good
will is manifest in every walk OF
life in Birmingham. 1.-THE Christmas
idea is certainly absorbing the COM
munity's attention." said o. L. Bum,
manager of the Chamber of COM
merce. And IL Is evidently having
the same sway in other cities. Prac-
tically no news is developing in the
chamber these days and our mails
are lighter than In some time. Pros
perity has been general over the
nation and people are really and
truly enjoying this Christmas sea-
rArtr o. -
Christmas. also; one with very lit
tie splurge but lot of genuine good
VIII among men,"
Spirit Running Riot
The Christmas spirit is running
riot this year" Fred A. Culley, SUI
perintepdent OF the city welfare de-
partment, declared, Mr.. Culley has an
nounced that he Will remain in his
office all day Christmas to take care
OF needy families and to give out
lists of names to those who wish to
distribute presents.
Nor have the needy OF Birmingham
been forgotten, Many civic organ
izations and clubs have already given
Christmas parties and distributed
baskets while othersShave similar oc-
casions planned for today II is said
that every needy family in -Birming-
ham will be cared for before Christ
mas morning But here again the
sensible Christmas idea Is manifested
Lists of names of the poor have been
prepared and checked through the
confidential department of the wei
fare exchange, thereby assuring no
duplication in the distribution OF
gifts.
Saturday afternoon at 2 o'clock the
Salvation Army distributed baskets TO
$50 needy families at its hall at 81
Twentieth street. north. The Army
also had a Christmas tree for 500
kiddies at the Chamber of Commerce.
auditorium at ) o'clock Saturday
afternoon. Girls in the Rescue and
Maternity Home will be given a fur
key dinner Christmas Day and a
Christmas tree will be provided for
the mothers and babies Christmas
night. A chicken dinner will be givea
the men in the Industrial home on
Fifth avenue. north, Christmas Day.
This afternoon at o'clock the EllSs
will distribute presents from their
tree at. the home of birmingham
lodge No. 70. Eighth avenue and
Nineteenth street. There will be a
brief program during the Distribution
OF the gifts. The Elks orchestra will
render selections during the after
noon.
Members of the Kfwanis club will
act as hosts at a Christmas tree at
the Southern club at 2:30 o'clock
this afternoon. They will distribute
presents 10 approximately 200 chill
dren and will deliver baskets to 100
needy families In the city