The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1917-11-19
"THE ST. NICHOLAS GIRL"


Friends of The Journal who have lib
erallv contributed in the past to the St.
Nicholas Girl Toy Fund express surprise
at the seemingly patent attempt to appro-
pirate the title of the Journals annual
Christmas feature and they urge that
strong protest be made against the pla-
giarism.
The Journal however. while regrett1ng
the action, appreciates the motives OF help
fulness which prompted those involved and
believes they were ill-advised and did not
realize that they subJecting them
selves to criticism.
"The St. Nicholas Girl is an exclusive
feature of the Pensacola Journal which has
been successfully conducted by this news
paper for several years, with the assistance
take part in the work. The first "St. Mich
olas Girl in 1912, was Miss Ella Ward,
who served for two years. Since that time
the "St. Nicholas Girl has each year
brought Christmas happiness to hundreds
of children and has become an important
feature of the holiday season
This year it was deemed advisable to
modify the plans somewhat. There is no
general poverty in Pensacola-though
there are isolated cases which should and
will be provided for. The public has re-
SpOnQeQ most SeHcIOuSly u HUlCSCoSHISo
calls for money during the past year and
with the many demands for war work 1t
seemed both unnecessary and unpatriot1c
to conduct a campaign to provide funds for
the relief of general poverty which does
not exist.
But the children were not to be forgot
ten. Christmas is essentially for the little
ones and they look forward to the annual
festivities with happy expectancy which
must not be disappointed.
With this in mind, The Journal con-
templated an entertainment for the chill
dren, with the accompanying small toys,
nuts, fruit and candy always associated
with Christmas in youthful minds-inex-
pcnsive little remembrance which the
children would en- Joy, yet would not draw
heavily upon Pensacola's willing. but al
ready over-taxed, pocketbool1s. Provision
was to be made for the relief of all truly
needy cases, with practical gifts of groc-
cries and clothing and toys. The expenses
were to be met by the voluntary contribu-
tons of those who find rare delight in max
ing unfortunate children happy at Christ
mas-time. But there was to be no general
campaign and no solicitation of money
sufficient advance pledges having been re-
ceived to insure the success of the under
taking.
And while the entertainment was
planned along lines most pleasing to the
children, it was, in keeping with the con
servation program and necessary wartime
economies. to have been inexpensive ano
free from elaborate details.
The Journal firmly believes such a plar
would be most fitting for this particular
year.
That others should think otherwise il
natural, but difference of opinion is scarce
~ grounds good for appropriation of tn
title under which The Journal has con
Quoted its Christmas work for man,
years, even though intentions be highes
and the motive simply to continue an even
which has been highly successful in tn
past. The field for choice is wide and
other titles should serve as well for thei
work as the one introduced by The Iourna
With the country under the burden of
great war and with economy of paramount