New-York tribune., 1908-12-19
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Bibles WRITE SANTA.
Bdif'Rgton Booth Asks Hid for Cases
Such as He Cites.
TO TIE Editor Of The tribune

10 1ne Editor Of The Tribune
SIR: After 4 heightened and varied experience In
C'iihe-Ioh with philanthropc branches of work
nseul tIat phase the most practical and present
tense phian' hrbpy and that method the most logi-
cal and direct which takes the Christmas cheer.
whether IN the form of food clothing fuel or
money. into the hume 1t is one thing and doubt
less proves a helpful form Of henevolence to meet
'he requirements of those experiencing hunger and
Heeo IN temporary way. but to insure the exist
ence of some article OF clothing 10 a child exposed
To the cold CT substantial meal to a parent and
several small children in their own home, Or the
sum that Is Yet necessary to pay the rent, is the
positive assistance that proves more profitable and
abiding
Last year. largely through the timely aid rem
dered the Volunteers through the insertion of my
letter IN Your paper. enabled to send pack
ages with material and other assistance to over
ten thousand persons. Great was the variety of
this help. and could friends contributing have
witnessed the gIee upon the chldren's faces the
gratitude evtnced by parents the joy expressed
by those who had been subjected TO cold poverty,
misery and Eelrlessness. they would indeed have
been rewarded
rs the need great this year, Despite the
bright line upon the horizon IN the financial world
notwithstanding the welcome tidings of improve
menJ in the commercial world, and in the face Of
the freer circulation Of money, there is yet deDth
OF need and a prevalence of want that are hardly
realized quote but two instances.
In a small. miserable low-roofed room on the
East Side OF New York City were found mother
anu t - Illie slluGen by our Of1CeT. The mother
was vainiy endeavoring to exc out an existence for
herself and little ones ON 8 week The children
had scarcely a stitch of underclothing. and the
wan face and fral figure Of the woman told some
thing of the weary. hopeless struggle to keep this.
all OF home left. together.
The following is only one letter from among the
many hundreds which we have received:
Dear Santa Claus: Won't YOU please come 70 see
@ rs ms ms year year Last year you did not come. and
thing Please do not disappoinJ this year. Papa
Is not working neither is mother We nine
chllorent running IN ages thus. Girl sixteen. the
Only one working; boy, fourteen; girl twelve; boy,
ten girl six girl, seven. girl. FIVE; girl. three
ana little baby, one year and three months. Dear
santa Claus, please make happy. Do not dis
appoint or We shall be very unhappy.
Sir. II is such cases as the above which cause
the imperattveness OF our appeal for help to the
public. So far is possible. and as much as
time Will permit, The circumstances of each family
aided are looked into But even surprising some
who are not thoroughly deserving should receive
aid II that aid lessen -he direst poverty and the
most potent need. is il altogether misplaced? Ir
respective Of creed. race color. this
Christmas time 10 make 1900 people happier.
Sir. with all the earnestness of my being I ap-
peal through your columns, to the thousands of
readers 10 send such they spare whether
large-and some can give Iargely-or small: and
the widows mite. II in proportion 70 the ability
is liberal gift
An official receipt will be sent for every dime re
ceived- VIII you please ask that subscriptions be
sent 10 President Ballington Booth, No. 81 West
2Sth street, the national headquarters of the Vol
unteers Of America? Help early is thrice valuable
and thrice welcome. BALLINGTON BOOTH
New York. Dec. Ii. 1905.