Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1908-12-16
Outside Point of View

Christmas and Christmas gifts are
near. What started back centuries ago
has grown into custom that now
far overreaches the original intent
and pleasant Interchange of small gifts
between friends and relations. Origin
ally Santa Claus filled his sleigh with
presents for the children, now he char
ters railroad train and takes in all
of the family. There was a time when
certain members of society could re-
ceiye a Christmas gift from others
more well to do, and not feel either a
sense of obligation or the need and
desire to return the favor Time was
when an employee could accept a
Christmas present and not make one
to his employer. So strongly en-
trenched has the Christmas gift Gus
tom become. that now in our larger
cities certain men dealing with the
public, now expect and virtually claim
a Christmas gift from each one they
serve in their daily occupation. So far
for general statements. And what fol-
lows is By no means an argument
against the custom of Christmas gifts.
The writer would as soon do away
with the fable of Santa Claus, the
Geers and the sleigh bells.
And this is not an entirely original
proposition What we need now so
universal has become the custom of
Christmas gifts, is a Christmas clear
ing house to hold an annual session on
Dec. Is and an exchange department
to meet on Jan. I. For instance, I'M
der the present arrangement. "our
pastor" will more than likely receive
dozen pairs of slippers on
Christmas eve. Some will be
too large, some too small, and
many "too loud" for him to wear
even in the privacy of his study or
take the case of John Jones. Last
Christmas, Jones found in his stocking
thirteen -four in hands," There was
one plain white one and one plain
black one that Jones did and does wear.
The other eleven are still on hand, and
here is al aggravating case. Mrs.
Smith our wash lady," last year re-
ceived from one of our thankful for
past-favors customers a black silk
dress pattern. From that day to this
Sister Smith has been unable to get
together enough money to buy the nee
essary trimmings, much less to pay an
up-to- date dressmaker "35 to make it
up" And pages could be filled with
accounts similar
Now with a clearing house meeting
on Dec. 18th, much of this real trouble
could be avoided. Let us take up the
slipper deal of our pastor" Surprising
that on the date mentioned. each one of
his friends should send him printed
lists which would be gladly furnished
by every dealer in town, said dealers
to include every kind Of business. And
with these lists a personal letter man
fold copies of say 500. be sent saying
in substance, Dear Pastor, herewith
please find list of Christmas gifts.
Please make a cross in the square OPP
posite the article you desire and obliga
yours truly" Just see how nicely 1t
would work. He would. OF course, first
mark a cross opposite "a pair of slip
pers" But then notice how soon his
pencil would fill the square opposite
zone sugar cured ham," zone sack of
-four" lone barrel of apples zone
goose" Ard Of course a list would be
sent his wife. What would she mark
first? Probably zone pair fifty-button
channels skin gloves or would she
mark one pair children's shoes? When
Jones received his list, how gladly
from past experience would he place
cross opposite zone black silk four-in-
hand" and then add gloves, fur caps,
fancy vest, patent letter shoes, white
dress shirt, diamond cuff buttons,
silk hat one dozen stand-tup collars,
and one box cigars" thus getting thir-
teen needed articles in place of thir-
teen four in hands. "Our wash lady
undoubtedly would mark one black
silk dress pattern, but would turn to
the list furnished by the banks and
mark on the different lists sent, more
than likely on several, very plain x
opposite "one twenty dollar gold
piece Or zone fifty-d dollar bill, series
OF 19OS' See what a practical plan
this all is. These checked lists would
be at once sent to the clearing house.
This concern knowing the financial
standing of every one, selects the one
to give the desired gift Banker Rock
efeller sends one wash lady the fifty
dollar bill and so on, till all the gifts
were made by the person able to afford
it to the person needing such an ar
ticle.
There is no space left to explain lie
exclusive department of Christmas
gifts. In fact none is needed. All can
see the need of such an institution.
and how we would patronize it. /. e. If
such custom prevailed. Come to
think of it, If the Christmas clearing
house is instituted there will be no use
for it. Every one then will get just
what they want
a. /Ln-1