The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1919-02-15

OuC 6itcS you pICoCulS, Oiu yVu
ever stop to think where they came
from? That camouflaged tank, that
doll all dressed up as a soldier, or
the doll with the long white dress.
that looks just like real baby. or
that steamship that is modelled ex-
actly after one of our own new
beautiful American steamships, or
that grey rabbit that jumps, or the
cute little black duck, or the ar
mored train, where did they all
come from?
Formerly, Germany was the great
toy making country, but now
America is one of the greatest toy
making countries of the world and
The slogan, "Made-in America-Toys"
Is becoming the byword for Ameri-
can homes. There are several very
interesting toy-shops in the United
States, which make as fine toys,
though. PERHAPS not as many, as
Eanta's own toy shop at the North
Pole. Most of these are in the
Eastern part Of the United States.
One of the best known is "The Old
Mans Toy Shop" on Fifth Avenue,
In New York City.
1t started in 1915, in little room
In the Diocesan House, 416 La
fayette Street, which a bishop in
New York loaned to certain, very
interesting young society woman.
Her name was Miss Christine Fos-
ter, and she had been an active
and interested visitor to 1.-THE
Mayors Workshop" which was the
name given to a place where work
was found for the unemployed who
were willing to work but had moth
ing to do. After this broke up, Miss
Foster saw two needs: one was
that at least a dozen old men she
knew of, needed work, and the
other, that thousands Of children
all over this big United States
wanted toys. SO she put these two
needs together and founded THE
Toy Shop" or THE Santa Clause
Shop" as 1t Is also called She
bought material needed to make the
toys. lots Of wood, wire. paints.
goods for doll dresses and all sorts
OF other things, and a few tools,
some outline pictures of animals
and few work benches. It proved
successful as an industrial project
(Which just means. plan) as q so
cial service for the old men, and
as very happy enterprise for the
children.
More men came. Other organiza-
tions Of Social Service became in
terested and put up more money.
Children Watch Toy Makers
Then they were given realfor-
sure work shop on one Of the best
known streets Of New York. or
Upper Fifth Avenue. And oh, what
fun everyone had, from the old men
who are SO happy to be useful again
and who were so delighted with
their work, to the children, who
stand in groups, outside Of that lit
tie shop, with their noses pressed
up real Nat against the window. in
order to get as close as possible to
all the wonderful things they sec
Inside.
Though the men have never had
any experience in making toys be-
fore, and have been employed in
trades that are as different as can
be from painting yellow dog. they
are so serious about their work and
take so much pleasure in it that
they soon become experts. Many
of the men have had interesting,
life-times. and some have had O
great deal Of money. but the Imp,
Change, has worked his charms,
and left them, penniless and home.
less (most of their wives are dead)
and their children shameful to
say have gone OF and left them.
weak and old to get along as best
they can. But now they are very
happy and are making good"
Daddy" and Santa Clause, Too.
The man who does the best paint.
Ing in the shop, used to be on a
canal boat. where he lost his leg
in an accident. Some others of
these workmen used to be: pilot
on boat, captain and one ran ex.
cursion boats; then there's a tailor.
jeweler, pastry maker, brick-layer,
clerk and a salesman.
The Oldest workman is Daddy