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Show CHRISTMAS SPIRIT PERVADES 1W W j Poor Remembered; Prayers Said for Speedy Ter-miniation Ter-miniation of War. NEW YORK, Dec. 25. Although New Tork enjoyed perhaps the most bountiful bounti-ful Christmas In its history, thousands of persons who crowded the churches today to-day were not forgetful of those in the war-racked countries of Europe. Beginning Begin-ning with a solemn high mass In St. Patrick's cathedral, celebrated by Cardinal Car-dinal Farley, special services not only were held In all Roman Catholic churches, but in the churches of other denominations, denomina-tions, at which prayers were said for a speedy termination of the world war. The city authorities, working in conjunction con-junction with many charitable and relig- lous organizations, provided on a scale hitherto unknown for the comfort and , i welfare of the poor, and it was asserted tonight that all homeless and forsaken persons had been supplied at least with , shelter for the day and a real Christmas i dinner. The Salvation Army, Volunteers of America, Elks, national guard and other organizations distributed baskets of food, toys and clothing to thousands of poor families, while dinners for the poor were given by church missions and political and civic societies. Many police stations which had been turned into storehouses for gifts Intended for poor children continued con-tinued their work of distribution late into the night. Either turlffey or chicken dinners were provided in the jails and other institutions institu-tions maintained by the city. In the larger hospitals playlets were given and Christmas carols sung for the benefit of : lie patients. In the various children's Institutions there were Christmas trees bearing toys, .candles and other gifts. Besides being treated to- a Christmas dinner, approximately 500 prisoners in the Tombs received pipes, cigars, tobacco, candy and fruits. A Christmas tree in one of the missions mis-sions along the water front was literally covered with neckties for seafaring men assembled here from all parts of the world. Miss Evangeline Booth addressed several sev-eral thousand persons who crowded into the armory, where food and other articles were distributed by the Salvation Army. Although still indisposed from her recent illness, Miss Booth remained until the last of 4000 baskets had been given away. Joseph H. Choate, former ambassador to Great Britain, was among .those who attended at-tended thrs feature of today's programme. |