The Washington herald., 1920-12-12
Kris PaysVisit'
ToGet Mail of
DC. Children
Didn't Send Gnome This Time,
Wanted to See City,
He Laughs.

Spick and span in a new red coat
and with his whiskers just a wee
bit longer than last year, Santa
Claus. the most popular man in the
world If you would take the kid
dies word for IT, paid a flying visit
to Postmaster M o. Chance yes
terday afternoon for the sole pur-
pose of collecting the first batch
of mail which has been received
at the City Postoffice from children
in Washington and other parts of
the country.
Thought I would come myself
this year" Santa explained to Post
master Chance. You remember i
sent one of my gnomes last De-
cember." continued the jolly JOY
dispenser. but this year 1 was anx-
ious to get a daylight glimpse OF
Washington. for you know when l
come in Christmas Eve 1 have no
opportunity for sightseeing"
Bully for you" Chance respond
ed cordiality. IT believe 1 have even
more letters for you this year than
did last" and the postal chief
brought out a bundle of carefully
wrapped letters of all colors and
sizes from his large safe.
Take Tiae by ForeIock.
You see. Santa. the letters have
been coming in ever since last April.
Some of the children, it appears,
have written you more than one
letter. OF course. from today on.
they will come in at a lively rate
and 1 have put in a couple of extra
wireless operators in order that you
will get them all before you start
on your journey"
AS usual, Santa Claus has Secured
permission from the postal authori-
ties to invite charitable organiza-
tions in the city or persons who are
benevolently inclined to call at the
postoffice and secure a number of the
letters addressed to Santa providing
they agree to carry out the requests
made in them as nearly as they can
or as is practicable.
After perusing a few OF the let
ters. Santa Claus confded that
Washington tots this year are ask
ing for everything from the custo-
mary requests for doll babies to
sand dippers." bottles of perfume
and 'booties." whatever they are.
One little girl asks, Santa to bring
her mother an electric toaster while
many. of them put a good word in
for their fathers, sisters and broth
ers.
Evidently working on the theory
that pinch of sugar is more effec-
tive than jug of vinegar, some of
the children in their letters have
sent Santa scores of kisses while one
little boy even went so far as to
promise to have Something nice"
knitted for the celebrated character.
A Job for SOMEBODY.
1t will be q difficult task for some
of Santa Claus official interpreters
10 ferret out the meaning Of the
childish scrawling contained in some
of the missivcs.
A variety of addresses have
been used by the kiddies Many ad-
dress their letters to Santa Claus.
North Pole" while others have used
santa Claus, Toyland." and Santa
Claus, Santaelausland"
such endearing salutations as
Dear Old Santa" and Dear Sweet
santa" seem to be popular ones
Only few of the children tell
their ages in the letters. Nearly all
OF them inquire as to Santa's health
and give an account, OF their conduct
during the last year.
II the letters come in from now
until Christmas. at the same rate
they did last year an average of
40 day will beTreceived by POST
master Chance, who is now quite ac-
customed to acting as Santa Claus,
ambassador.