Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1921-04-14
TOY INDUSTRY FACING RUIN

ly pr0claiming that never again
would they buy German products.
They were especially emphatic in
declaring that, under no circum-
stances, would they buy toys made
in Germany. 1t was said that many
wounded German soldiers we're TAX
ing up the manufacture of toys as
about the only industry in which
they could engage, and Americans
said they would not take any
chances of allowing their children to
play with toys made by hands which
perhaps had been stained with the
blood of their fathers or brothers.
That sounded patriotic, and the good
people of the country who made
such statements believed them. We
, pointed out at the time that Amer
leans are forgiving people, not CIV
en- to harboring grudges, and that
they would soon forget. They have
already forgotten.
During the war an important toy
industry was developed in this coun-
try. Except for a few mechanical, or
| scientific toys but few toys were
made here prior 10 the war The
duty was so low that it was not
promising business, especially in
view of the fact that the field was
| already occupied by foreigners.
Many toys were imported from
France, but the chief importations
came from Germany. In Germany
entire families were engaged in
making toys. The aged, and the
children were all employed Toys
| were made in the mountains far
from any great commercial centers,
| and the wages were low and the
prices correspondingly so. Few, if
any, toys were made in France and
Germany during the war, and If they
had been they could not have been
shipped to this country. But the
| children of this country demanded
toys and American manufacturers
went into the business of toy-mak-
| ing to supply the demand.
Naturally they were not at first
so expert as those who had done
nothing else all their lives. 1t was
new business here and had to be
developed Labor, too, was high, as
also were raw materials, and the
toys made were necessarily higher
| in price that those formerly "made
in Germany" But the people were
patriotic and they paid the price.
Also they were making more money
than ever before and they did not
stop to count the cost in any line.
| We are speaking now of the working
classes. the great bulk of our citi-
zens. Those on salaries did not fare
so we'll.
But the war is over and conditions
are fast becoming normal. 1t is
also true that the people forgot their
/ promises to patronize home indus
try and to insist that articles which
they purchased should be made in
U. s. Al Hence, when Germany be-
gan to ship the old familiar toys to
this country and they appeared upon
| the counters at prices lower than the
better grade of American toys, they
forgot their good resolutions and
| failed to ask If the toys were made
in Germany"
| Those who do not stop to consider
may be inclined u pass the matter
over as of no consequence. 1t is of
consequence, however. Within the
past few days three firms of toy
manufacturers have filed petitions
bankruptcy, while others find them
selves in a very percarious condi-
1
short time, if the situation be not
relieved.
! In 1919 the total importations of
dolls and parts thereof were valued
at $1,232,344, while in 1920 they
had increased to s2,S39,532, In
1919 the total importations of all
other toys were valued at s1,719,975
while in 1920 they had increased to
$7,S9S,162. Is it any wonder that
those engaged in this infant industry
in this country go into bankruptcy?
Toys will always be imported, but
we should make the bulk of the toys
we use right here in America While
the price may at first be little
higher than those of foreign toys,
yet that is a matter which will soon
be remedied. The business needs
only TO be firmly established and
the bulk of the domestic market as
sured to the domestic toy makers, in
order to lower the prices. 1t is true,
also, that American toys are much
better made than the bulk of the
German toys, which are very flimsy
in construction.
There is this, also, to be said for
American-made toys. They repre-
cent American ideals rather than
German ideals. Toys are education
al in their influence. The little girl
with her doll is simply exercising
and developing her motherly in
stincts. The small boy with his
train of cars or his carpenters tools
is preparing himself for the duties
of the future. 1t is better that he
shall play with tools which are of
some practical use rather than with
those so flimsy in construction that
they are destroyed before he learns
to use them properly. They should
last long enough for him to become
attached to them and to develop a
| liking for their use. In any event,
| it is better for the child to learn
patriotism and that cannot be fully
developed when he is told that the
toys which he plays with were not
made in the United States, but in
Germany or some foreign country,
and simply because Americans have
not the patriotism and good judg-
ment to care for the needs of Amer
leans first.
| WILL, LEAVE AUDUBON SOON