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 a Santa Claus Ship,
loaded to the water line with toys con-
trihuted by children from every nook
and corner of America, rich and poor
alike, will leave these shores foy
Europe. there to unload the dazzling
cargo and offer 1t 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
for number Of years has supplied poor
children with Christmas gifts and who
desires to extend her work this year
not only on national but international
scope. She has the support of some Of
the most widely known and most DOW
erful men in the United States, in
Guiding the President of the United
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 Senators, Rep-
resentatives and department heads and
leaves this week for a tour of Ne,v
England, where she will address numer-
Gus social organizations and child wei;
fare societies on behalf of her work.
U. 8. EMPLOYEES TO HELP.
When Commissioner of Immigration
Caminetu heard of her plan 70 have Gov
eminent employees contribute Christmas
gifts to the destitute and orphaned chill
dren OF Europe's war devastated conn
tries he Issued a circular, addressed to tn,
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 busv
with preliminary work. Since her prob
lem this year is both of a national and
International scope she will be obIired
TO perform double duty. First of all
she has her thousands of little friepds
VINO remember her from previous wears
20 take care of. They are already In
hundreds OF letters received by Miss Wi
son, clamoring for their Christmas gifts
ihen, she has to think of the thousands
II little ones on the other side of tho saa
Vhose hearts will yearn in vain this year
or little Christmas gife. And, TO add
% the magnitude of her problem. Miss
Wilson has received within the mast vear
900 requests for drums alone Soma ~
hese requests have come from outside of
he United States and from such remote
Joints as Rio Janeiro, other BraziIian
titles and Newfoundland.
but Miss Wilson does not despair Sba
las mustered together all the couro ga |
nd all the sympathy of her is wears ap5
as settled down 10 work to carry her
lahs 10 success. In January of this wear
llss wilson visited Washington for the |
urpose OF obtaining from the Govern |
lIent a franking privilege, something on
he order OF the one eRjoyed by senators
nd Representatives for the purpose og
ending to folks at home speeches tbe,,
ever delivered. S'
DENIED FRANKING PRIVILEGE
Miss Wilson wanted a frankine, rri,,,,.,-
men would permit her to send her uifts
y mail and parcel post without cbarga
m this matter she saw the President
ecretary Bryan, Admiral Dewey. Vice |
resident Marshall Representative Under
'ood and other prominent men. Last
eek Miss Wilson took another trim m
Washington and conferred with Post
laster General Burleson on the franklng
rlvilege. MIR, Burleson said that he vas
loroughly in sympathy with her plan
nd would help her in every way. hui
rat he could not grant her the franking
rivilege, as II would be impossible for
ne Government TO diminish its revenue
the present time in view Of the finan-
al Inconvenience already brought about
Y the war. This. however. has by no
eans dampened Miss Wilson'S entbusI-
SIN or diminished her hopes She Is IN
sr work TO win, and Judging By the way
le has gone at 1t she cannot help but
In.
SO, that II Is with great JOY that the
lildren OF Europe may contemplate the
~ when far out on the horizon there |
Ill rise a ship, loaded not with guns
I'd ammunition, but with beautiful TOYS |
all descriptions, carrying a nag upon |
hich will be inscribed: From the chill
EN- OF America to their little brethren