Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1914-09-23
"MADE IN AMERICA"
TOYS TO GLADDEN.
YOUTH OF EUROPE
Plan Underway to Send a
Santa Claus Ship to War
torn Countries From Every
Nook and Corner Of This
Country.

1t is now highly probable that shortly
before Christmas Santa Claus Ship"
loaded to the water line with toys con-
tributed by children from every nook
and corner of America, rich and poor
alike, will leave these shores foF
Europe, there to unload the dazzling
cargo and offer it as a joyous Christ
mas gift to the children of the war
torn countries of that continent. 1t is
said that most of the toys will bear
the trade mark made and contributed
In America"
The success of this enterprise has
been practically assured through the
efforts of Miss Olive May Wilson, "the
Santa Claus Girl" of Jenkintown. who
children with Christmas gifts and who
desires to extend her work this year
not only on a national but international
scope. She has the support of some of
the most widely known and most pow
erful men in the United States in
States, who. in an interview granted
her some time ago, expressed his desire
to cooperate with Miss Wilson in every
way. Miss Wilson has just returned
from Washington. where she laid her
plan before number of Senator's, Rep
resentatives and department heads and
leaves this week for a tour of New
England, where she will address numer-
Gus social organizations and child wei:
fare societies on behalf of her work.
U. S. EMPLOYEES To HELP.
When Commissioner of immigration
Caminetti heard of her plan 10 have Gov
ernment employees contribute Christmas
gifts to the destitute and orphaned chill
dren of Europe's war devastated coun-
tries he issued a circular, addressed to the
employees of his department throughout
the United States, in which he suggested
that they contribute gifts for the Santa
Claus ship" Other departments have al
ready followed suit.
In the meanwhile, Miss Wilson is busy
with preliminary work. Since her prob
lem this year is both of a national and
international scope she will be obliged
TO perform double duty. First of all
she has her thousands Of little friends
TO take care of. They are already, in
huntEeds of letters received by Miss VII
son, clamoring for their Christmas gifts
Then, she has to think of the thousands
or little ones on the other side of the sea
whose hearts will ycarn i'm vain this year
Tor little Christmas gifc And, to add
10 the magnitude of her problem, Miss
Wilson has received within the past year
5000 requests for drums alone. Some of
these requests have come from outside of
the United States and from such remote
points as Rio Janelro, other Brazilian
cities and Newfoundland
But Miss Wilson does not despair. She
has mustered together all the courage
and all the sympathy Of her IS years and
has settled down to work to carry her
plans to success. I'm January OF this year
Miss Wilson visited Washington for the
purpose of obtaining from the Govern
nent franking privilege, something on
the order OF the one enjoyed by Senators
and Representatives for the purpose of
sending To folks at home speeches they
never delivered.
DENIED FRANKlNG PRIVILEGE.
Miss Wilson wanted a franking privilege
which would permit her TO send her gifts
'y mail and parcel post without charge.
On this matter she saw the President,
Bryan, Admiral Dewey, Vice
resident Marshall, Representative Under
Nood and other prominent men Last
yeek Miss Wilson took another trip 10
Washington and conferred with Post
master General Rurleson ON the franking
privilege. Mr., BurleEon said that me- was
thoroughly In sympathy with her plan
md would help her In every way. but
hat he could not grant her the fraukiuL
privilege, as IL would be impossible for |
he Government TO diminish its revenue
L the present time I'm view of the Imam
al iuconvenicnCes already brought about
" the war This, however. has by no
means dumpened Miss Wilson's enthu.si-
sm or diminished her hopes She is In
Icr work to win, and judging by the way |
he has gone at It she cannot help but |
gn.
50. that 1t is with great JOY that the |
hIldran Of Europe may contemplate the |
ay when far out on the horizon there |
'ill rise a ship, loaded not with guns /
nd ammunition, but with beautiful toys |
Z all descriptions, carrying a flag upon |
Which will be inscribed: From the chill |
ren OF America to their little brethren /
a Europe"