Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1913-03-29
OLD TOYS HOLD THEIR OWN.
Nothing Can Supplant the Doll or the
Tin Soldier

All varieties of dolls and doll
houses. stuffed dogs and Teddy bears.
soldiers, pop guns, and fire engines,
miniature aeroplanes, trim little e1ea-
trio yachts, electric, steam, and me-
chanical trains, and even fully
equipped grocery stores (priee only
$Sa), where the six-year- old child may
ply trade which he will never prac-
tiee-toy shop windows are bulginG
with all these things to fascinatc tho
childish eye, for Christmas time is not
far off and trade is brisk
OF late Americana built toys have
more than held their own against the
foreign, usually German, article. As
long as the protective tariff remains
as ii is, which American manufacture
ers say it must, because during bust
ness hours they call toys luxury, not
a necessity. home made articles will
compete favorably with the foreign
product The American article, deal
ers will tell you, is not of as delicate
workmanship, and is made on a whole
sale scale. In the matter of con-
struction, they say the American arti-
Gle does not compare with the Ger
man toy, for it is built with quantity
rather than quality in mind.
Handcarts. doll carriages, trunks.
bicycles and tricycles, billiard and
pool tables. are for the most part
produced in the United States, as are
children's sporting goods and most of
the iron toys. Dolls mechanical and
electrical railroads. and soldiers are
built best on the other side All these
articles are copied in this country but
the foreign product seems best in all
cases where intricate and paiustaking
workmanship is necessary
Your New York child the dealer
will tell you, is a different being from
the young idea of the country. He il
a different being from the product of
the past. Not satisfied with the sim
pie spade and pail with which our
grandfathers used to while away the
time, newer and more exciting de-
vices arc necessary to hold his rest
less attention, especially if he be the
spoiled child Of the Well-to-do
II is for such as these that the
dealers have on exhibition marvellous
electric yachts (bathtub sizc) at $3.50.
$S5 grocery stores, humpty- dumpty
circuses, and pianos that Rubinstcin
Nodit Hd4 hi9 tdll ii toy. libNtNt!,
our friend the doll will never be en-
tirely sidetracked and will, as always,
form the most important part of the
toy store. The Kate Kruse" doll,
named after her German inventor, IS
one of the most original as well as the
most expensive dolls on the market,
and is the result of many attempts to
get away from the stereotyped kind
1t is made entirely of cloth, wags its
head around in the most life-like fash
| ion, and is practically indestructible
Next to dolls. toy soldiers, trum-
] pets, bugles, and other warlike instru-
ments have the largest sales. Ger
tain theorists have objected to these
playthings on the ground that they
Undue the youthful mind with the
fighting spirit which is not in keeping
with the trend towards universe
peace. Be that as it may, the tin
gods Of war and their paraphernalia
will continue to be sold in great
quantities. For one thing thei!
peace-loving enemies are few and far
between, and even if there were NOR
of them they would not, according II
the dealers, make much Roadway
against the childs natural desire fol-
what he Wants-New York Post