Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1917-10-19

WASHINGTON, D. c., Oct 15-Wedding
wv rings, old coins, silver cups, denied spoons,
w tin foil, historic bullets old snuff boxes.
seals, candlesticks-so runs the list of articles
poured into the first Red Cross melting pot here
in Washington. They are now being converted
into cash by smelling or by sale. For two months
the melting pot in conspicuous shop window in
the downtown district has been swallowing gifts.
The pot itself filled and trinkets and heir
looms overfowed in every direction filling the show
window, and the two windows adjoining. All of
which started by little matron with more
patriotism than ready cash to contribute to the
Red Cross fund.
silver vnagrette top broken spoons. and
other bits of old metal the contributions she
brought to Washington newspaper man for his
opinion to their usefulness. He ventured that
the things could be turned into money for the
Red Cross and wrote up the incident for his pa
per, whereupon he forgot all about it. But the
public greeted the story with enthusiasm, and
fastened to hunt out grandfather's snuff box and
mothers old locket, and demanded to know where
to send their offerings. The need for organization
was apparent and the Red Gross grasped the OPP
portunity.
A jewelers. offer to receive and dispose of the
articles under the supervision of the local chapter
was accepted. Another jeweler furnished big
glass jar to hold the contributions. Red Cross
appealed to the public for help from poster
made especially for the window and the Red Cross
melting pot began to fill up and then to run over.
The collection rapidly become an object of
curiosity and interest, and the crowd about the
window often five or six deep. Among the
historic gifts there figures certain gold bullion from
Admiral Farraguts epauets which long rested in
Mrs. Farraguts scrap bag and later became part
of the estate. curious old watch belonged &C
cording to the gver, to the late Captain Kidd,
pirate. joker, reading of this donation, brought
in a modern time piece which he solemnly desig-
mated as the property of julius Caesar.
A dainty French doll three feet high in court
costume an embroidered Japanese kimono, shin
plasters of Civil days. and an old muzzle-load-
ing Colt revolver were among the objects which
swelled the collection and stirred popular interest
The manager of the store is frequently called upon
to come forth and narrate the history OF some
antique that must have story
Valuable foreign coins and stamps, mOsaics and
historic bullets we're the of considerable
ety on the part of persons fearful lest the idea of
the melting pot be carried out to the letter. These
latter became distinctly happier when assured by
the manager that articles of value such would
not be melted with spoons and denied cups.
ous or gift bringers. Many entered the shop to
attempt purchase Again and again prices were
fixed on old seals silver candlesticks by would
be buyers. To each given the same answer:
The articles not for private sale"
Some of the givers to the melting pot were
less interesting than their offerings. One lady
known the woman in white came almost every
day, sometimes with an article of value, often
with trife 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 their share in the cOllec-
ton The wife of the French ambassador. acting
intermediary brought gift sent her by a
friend in another city.
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 artl~
cles had to be relegated to the cellar to leave
room for things of more interest and value
October first set the date of melting.
AS the time drew near, the question that greeted
the manager every time he presented himself out
side the door TO his opinion on the value of
the collection question to be put to a prophet
rather than an ordinary mortal Bets and guesses
on the subject numerous, the figure being
usually fixed at less than thousand dollars
AS there one available who was sufficiently
skilled in all the lines of trade represented, no
Importance attached to most of their star
thing statements made by many of the guessers.
At that time the disposal of the curios and
antiques was yet TO be decided upon, the idea be-
ing of course. to obtain the highest possible prices
AS the demand for chance to acquire certain arti
cIes was great, the Red Cross finally agreed to
place the desired goods on show at its headquar
tiers where persons could come to place their bids
In this way no discrimination would be shown and
the public would be satisfied.
October first was significant day in the his
tory of the Red Cross melting pot but the Red