The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-10-18
THE TOPEKA STATE JOURNAL
INFORMATTON BUREAU
By FREDERIC }. HAsKIN, Director,
Washington, D. C.
THE MELTING POT.

dented spoons, TIN IOlls nlStOIlC Jul
lets, old snuff boxes, seals, candle
sticks-so runs the list of articles
poured into the first Red Cross Melt
ing Pot here in Washington They
are now being converted into cash by
smelling or by sale. For two months
the melting pot in a conspicuous shop
window in the downtown district has
been swallowing gifts. The pot itself
was soon filled and trinkets and heir
looms overlooked in every direction,
filling the show window, and the two
windows adjoining. All of which was
started by a little matron with more
patriotism than ready cash to con-
tribute to the Red Cross fund
Old -Trinkets Into Pot.
A silver vinaigrette top, broken
spoons and other bits of old metal
were the contributions she brought to
a Washington newspaper man for his
opinion as to their usefulness. lie
ventured that the things could be
turned into money for the Red cross
and wrote up the incident for his
paper, whereupon he forgot all about
it. But the public greeted the story
with enthusiasm, and fastened TO
hunt out grandfather's snuff box ana
mothers old locket, and demanded to
know where to send their offerings.
The need for organization was ap-
A jewelers. offer to receive and dis
pose of the articles under the super
vision of the local chapter was &C
cepted. Another jeweler furnished a
big glass jar to hold the contribu-
lions. A Red Cross nurse appealed
to the public for help from poster
made especially for the window and
the Red Gross melting pot began to
fill up and then to run over.
The collection rapidly became an
object of curiosity and interest, and
the crowd about the window was
often five or six deep. Among the
historic gifts there figures certain gold
bullion from Admiral Farragut's
epaulets which long rested in Mrs.
Farragut's scrap bag and later be-
came a part of the estate curious
old watch belonged, according to the
giver, to the late Captain Kidd, pi-
rate. A joker, reading of this dona-
ton, brought in modern timepiece,
which he solemnly designated as the
property of Julius Caesar.
Historic Gifts Are Included.
A dainty French doll three feet
high in court costume, an embroid
cred Japanese kimono, shin plasters
of Civil war days and an old muzzle
loading Colt revolver were among the
objects which sweIIed the collection
manager of the store is frequently
called upon to come forth and mar
rate the history of some antique that
must have a story
Valuable foreign coins and stamps
mosaics and historic bullets were the
cause of considerable anxiety on the
part of persons fearful lest the idea
of the melting pot be carried out to
the letter. These latter became dis
| tinctly happier when assured by the
| manager that articles of value as
such would not be melted with spoons
and denied cups.
Visitors at the window were not all
idly curious or gift bringers. Many
entered the shop to attempt a pur-
chase. Again and again prices were
fixed on old seals or silver candle
sticks by would-be buyers. To each
was given the same answer: THE
articles are not for private sale"
Some of the givers to the melting
pot were not less interesting than
their offerings. One lady known as
the woman in white" came almost
every day, sometimes with an article
! of value, often with a trifle of silver
| Children going to school were regular
visitors at the window, bringing tin
foil from their candy, junk begged
from home, and even their toys as
their share in the collection. The
| wife of the French ambassador. act
ing as Intermediary, brought a gift
sent her by a friend in another city
Gifts Came Rapidly.
The windows filled so rapidly that
such gifts as bicycle tires, the great
| quantity of tin and lead foil brought
in, as well as other cumbersome ar
ticles had to be relegated to the eel
lar to leave room for things of more
| interest and value.
October first was set as the date of
melting. As the time drew near. the
question that greeted the manager
/ every time he presented himself out
side the door was as to his opinion
on the value of the collection, a uues-
ton to be put to prophet rather
, than to an ordinary mortal Bets and
! guesses on the subject We're numerous
| the figure being usually fixed as not
| less than one thousand dollars. AS
| there was no one available who was
| sufficiently skilled in all the lines of
| trade represented, no Importance was
4 attached to most of the startling state
| ments made by many of the guessers
| At that time the disposal of the
curioS and antiques was yet to be de-
cided upon the idea being, of course,
to obtain the highest possible prices.
AS the demand for a chance to ac-
| quire certain articles was so great
the Red Cross finally agreed to place
| the desired goods on show at its head
, quarters where persons could come to
place their bids. IN this way no dis
| elimination would be shown and the
| public would be satisfied.
| October l was a significant day in
the history of the Red Cross melting
: pot, but the Red Cross had no inten-
ton of selling the pot itself and clos
! ing up the enterprise. Instead it
placed the jar again in the window,
! where it receives donations as usual.
Brings Out Old Gold and Silver.
The melting pot had its origin here
spread to other cities Mount Rainier,
Md. was the first to follow the prece-
dent Now Yonkers, n. Y. Los An
geles, Cal, and Chevy Chase. Md,
have also fallen in line These melting
pots are all under direct supervision
| of Red Cross chapters
One great feature of the melting
pot campaign is that it is bringing into