Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1913-11-12
COUNTRYWIDE APPEAL MADE
az sPUGs, HEADED ~
MRS. BELMONT.
TO PREVENT COMPULSORY
DONATIONS TO RICH
Society Organized to Protect Girls in
Stores Has Remarkable Growth in
Membership and Development OF
Ideas-Not Opposed to Gifts When
Properly and sensibiy Bestowed.

New York Nov. IA countrywide
appeal for the abolition of the useless
Christmas gift and a plea for intelli-
gent giving instead were voiced last
night by Mrs. August Belmont. presi-
dent of the Spugs. at the opening
meeting Of the 1913 campaign to be
waged by that organization against in
sincerity, compulsion and waste in
Christmas giving.
At this meeting the membership rolls
Of the Spugs-the Society for the Pre-
vention Of Useless Giving were
thrown open to all residents Of the
United States who might want to enroll
against the foolish Christmas gift.
Having grown from handful to more
than 5000 within a few weeks during
the last Christmas season, the Spugs
have outlined for this year national
campaign and hope to establish soci-
cites in all cities and towns turnout
the country.
To Prevent Compulsory Giving.
Mrs. J. Borden Hartman presided at
last nights meeting District Attorney
Whitman, newly enrolled as member,
and Francis Crowninshield delivered
addresses. Mrs. Belmont was the ora
tor of the evening. The original pur-
pose Of the society, she said. was to
prevent compulsory giving by girls in
stores and factories to their employers,
the custom Of collective giving which
the girls felt they could not afford but
which they could not avoid without
embarrassment and possible loss Of
their positions. This was one Of the
4. TT, nh4 1S1 I'd
but not the only one. Another prime
general cultivation, by all classes Of
givew, of more thoughtfulness and ex-
preston Of personality in making
Christmas gifts.
1--WE do not disapprove Of collective
giving when 1t Is done on the spur OF
the moment" she said. cor for some
particular cause, because then 1t means
that you have collected sense Of hui
man fellowship Of which the money
collected Is but an expression. We do
approve Of 1t when 1t II is for the man
Hover down instead Of for the man
higher up.
Not Opposed to Giving.
"Some persons think that we oppose
giving. Far from 1t: we do not oppose
giving, but we advocate intelligent Civ
ing-giving that Is done with the
Christmas spirit Of goodwill as dis
tinguished from giving giving that Is
compulsory, from fear or with the hope
OF. obtaining reward-whether that re-
ward be the favor Of the man higher up
or advancement. The world at large
should put more Of the Christmas
spirit into giving. Christmas should be
time for every person to do his or her
share.
"some folks say to us, OF course.
you want to promote useful giving The
word useful has many changes OF
meaning. Usually when one thinks OF
useful present, It Is a present de-
cidedly middle-class or commonplace.
So we do not attempt to promote use
fuI giving in the commonly accepted
definition of that word. The things
we are really out to do IS to abolish
something. We feel that when We
have done that there will follow good
sense in giving and that everybody Will
be profited thereby.
Incrsases the Good Will.
1--WE propose to decrease the cost or
| the gift and increase the good will; to
make the heart Of Father Christmas
rejoice by little acts Of kindness. un-
selfishness by putting thought into the
gift we sent our dear ones. Give gen.
I erously; but from your heart, with all
your thought Don't make business
Of giving, make 1t an art. Don't waste
what should be season OF good Will
| frae1y given"