The Birmingham age-herald., 1922-12-25
Needy Children Are Remem-
 bered by Local 0rganlza-
 tions, as More Prosperous Families Prepare to Enjoy Holiday Church Services
PROSPEROUS SEASON IS REPORTED BY MERCHANTS
Police Records Show Spirit of
 Peace Has Enveloped the People of All Sections of City.
 Every Indication of Great Celebration Is to Be Seen

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 The last present has been pur- chased, the last gift sent, and the last stocking filled. Santa Claus passed through last night, leaving good cheer behind, and this morning everything is given over to the celebration of the birthday of the Savior.
 Today the stores stand closed and desolate, the last vestige of the late Christmas rush already dispersed be- fore the onslaught of the broom of the ubiquitous porter. Nothing re- mains as a reminder of the holiday crowds but the broken and depleted stocks of goods.
 Public buildings are closed and the resounding noise of weekday traffic is absent from the streets-the whole of the business district has deserted air. But in the homes of the city there is different story.
 Children Remembered
 Civic organizations and clubs throughout the city completed the distribution of presents to children and baskets to needy families Sunday afternoon. Among the last organiza- ton to observe Christmas in this manner were the Elks and volun- tary committee of wives of railway craftsmen not affected by the shop mems strike
 Fourteen hundred children whose homes were found to be excluded from the list ordinarily presented to Santa Claus before he makes his annual tour were placed directly in his path when he first opened his baggage at the Elks' club Christmas tree at 2:s0 o'clock. Tickets had been issued to 500 children, but ap- proximately 1.40Qswere present when the tree was presented in all it's splendor. There were enough gifts for all who came.
 Plenty of Gifts on Hand
 The gifts included boxes packed with fruits. nuts and candy; red wagons, Riddle cars. dolls, skates and general assortment of toys. The boxes of mixed goodies were liberal In size and contents. With radiant faces and happy hearts the young  tSibute presents from beautiful Zee directly into their arms.
 H. c. Wood, proprietor of the Bir mingham nurseries, contributed the tree for the occasion. The commit tee in charge of the entire celebra- tion included pr. John W. Perkins. chairman; Clarence Hiltbruner, Dr. B. A. Fox, J. w Allen and John F. Antwine, with Charles Parrish. GUS todian Herbert Baum, w. B. Cold we'll and Louis Stern. assistants.
 w. IT. Harrison acted as Santa Claus B. l.. Clark attended to the distribution of tickets. Doorkeepers Included G. w. Brown, chaplain; E. J. Smyley and J. B. Webb, Ladies, un- der the direction of Mrs. John w. Perkins, assisted in the distribution of gifts. Music was furnished by Harry MoNn's orchestra.
 Moore Is Happy t.
 G. Harry Moore, exalted ruler, was present throughout the exercises and expressed great pleasure because of the work done for the children who would have otherwise faced a scant visit from Santa Claus.
 Children of Birmingham's striking railroad shopmen were made happy at the Christmas tree party given for them at Banner hall, 1909 1z Fourth avenue, at 3 o'clock. Approxi- mately 1000 kiddies received pres ents at the party which was staged by a voluntary committee composed of the wives of railway craftsmen not affected by the strike.
 The party began at 3 o'clock with a prayer and a short talk by the Rev. J. A. Bryan of the Third Pres byteriah church. Dr. Bryant address was followed by short address by R. J. Kearney, chairman of the six Liberated shopcrafts strike com Aittee.
 santa Claus Enters
 At the close of Mir. Heirney's ad- ress and short program by the 5ildren, Santa Claus entered through a fireplace at one side of the hall amid the laughter of the little ones. He then proceeded to distribute presents to the children who were packed around the large Christmas tree which occupied the center of the holly decorated hall
 Presents for the children were pro- cured through donations of funds by the various railway craftsmen's unions and the donstion of toys by the merchants of Birmingham, ac- cording to Mrs. D. s. Litton, a mem Der of the committee which arranged the party. The Christmas tree was given to the committee by J. Blach and Son. Mrs Litton said tsle mer- chants of the city were very liberal in their donations, giving in addition to toys, dry goods to be made into clothes for the children.
 Baskets Distributed
 The work of the voluntary com mittee did not stop with tLe Christ mas tree party for the children. Mrs. Litton stated. She said that 250
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