Albuquerque morning journal., 1922-12-26
DRY CHRISTIANS
IN GOTHAM; RUM
FLEET IS CAUSE
New Workers, Prevented
From Getting Much LID
uor, Enjoy the Day Play
ing Santa Claus

New York, Dec. 25.-Tradition
has it that there is only one Santa
Claus, but tradition was given the
lie direct in New York today
when nearly every one--from
Governor-clect Smith down to the
humblest citizen doomed red
coat and whiskerB. IA public CT
private. IT was a city of Santas.
The new governor was the first
to set the fashion. Returning
from midnight mass to his apart
ment in the Hotel Biltimore, he
mounted a step ladder and began
stringing glistening ornaments on
sturdy Christmas tree. Then
plain Father Al Smith"-he seat
ed himself on low stool be-
meath the tree and began distrib-
uting the family's gifts.
Meanwhile other Santas were
harnessing their theoretical rein
deer for a snowless journey
around town. There were private
Santas galore. but it was the
Santas in hospitals and prisons,
street corner Santas and Santas
in missions that drew the most
eyes. 1t seemed as if New York
the great city of nearly six mill
lion souls--had hardened to the
cry Of darker, war time days and
was giving until 1t hurt.
Not even prison bars could shut
out the Christmas cheer. In the
Tombs-that forbiddlng building
with it's Bridge of Signs, Santa
strobe the stone-flagged corri-
doris, his pack on his back. A
real Christmas dinner, with mince
pie and fixln's, was spread before
$50 men and 26 women.
On Ellis Island, that famous
gateway of the immigrant, 1869
future Americans ate their first
Christmas dinner in America un-
der the very shadow of the Lady
Liberty.
Into the hospitals, where the
grown ups and youngsters lay ON
their bed in pain, marched the
red-clad figure with his toys and
sweets. AT his entry eyes that
q moment before had been dull
and empty, lighted up.
Among the most generous of the
Santas were the stage folk from
Broadway. Into hospitals, into
slums, into the homes of The
hopeless they penetrated. Side
by side with Salvation Army las
sizes they labored, spreading toy
among those who couldn't buy
their amusement at the box Of
flee.
Tongues were not long enough
to carry the cry of Merry Christ
mas" During the day the radio
took UP the greeting until the
very heavens were flll of good
But the note of tragedv-inevit-
able as fate--was introduced in
to at least one home.
Mrs. Rita Diaz. a young Porto
Rican, had Joined with her hus-
band in a Christmas eve party. A
tree, music. dancing and the
guests had petted the Diaz's
seven months old baby. A tiny
white sock was hung for baby's
presents.
Then husband and wife quarrel
ed.
In the night the wife arose,
passed the stocking Santa had
packed. entered the bath room
and drank poison.
She died on the way to the
hospital.
Prohibition officials who as
serted that Broadway had eX-
perienced the driest Christmas
ever in its history largely be-
cause of the defeat which thev
claimed the Bahama rum fleet had
met at the hands of the dry navy,
pointed as proof of the fact that
the west side court. which usually
boasts many drunks on Christ
mas day, had no offenders be-
fore it.
Police assigned to watch res
taurants and cabarets reported
they had seen no liquor law
violations along the Gay White
Way.