The Topeka state journal., 1922-12-20
MAKE ALL HAPPY!
Nation To Be Generous in
Spreading Christmas Cheer.
Many Cities Respond Literally
to Support of Charity.
JOY, CHEER AND HAPPINESS
"ShOp Early" Slogan Has Had
an Effect Upon Sales.
500 Carloads of Trees Will Be
Used in Middle West.
JOY, CHEER AND HAPPINESS
(By the Associated Press.)

Chicago, Dec. 20.-Brisk Christmas
trade, increased activity among Good
fellow and charitable organizations, an
ample supply of Christmas trees and
widesprea interests in community and
neiSI borhood festivity planning, indi-
cate that the Christmas season in mid
dleweStern states is to be one of joy,
cheer and happiness.
Reports from various representative
cities and districts show redoubled eff
forts in providing for these unfor-
tunate ones. who, because of un-
| favorable conditions which existed in
some industrial communities and re-
sulting shortages in food, fuel and
| housing, faced a season that would
have been but lukewarm with the
spiri; the period radiates.
The needy will be given Christmas
cheer thru the efforts of the Saliva
ton Army, Volunteers of America,
American Legion. Goodfellow clubs
and societies who are cooperating
with organized charitable associations.
Clothing, food and presents for the
kiddies top the list planned for the
Christmas basket.
As its Christmas offering the Wis
consin branch of the International
Sunshine society will found and main
tain a library for the milwaukee
county hospital.
Thousands for Charity.
Contributions to charity organiza
tions which have not only a Christ
mas day to plan for but must serve
the entire year, have been large Three
cities in Texas, Dallas, Touston and
Ft. Worth contributed $S50,000 dur
ing the year. Kansas City raised
$750,000 for its combined charities
during 1922 and will greatly increase
this amount the coming year 1t is
estimated by DR.. 1. S. Cutter, chairman
of the public welfare committee of
the Omaha Chamber of Commerce,
that the residents contributed about
81 100000 to charitable organizations
during the year.
A community chest for which about
$4,5OO,0OO has been subscribed will
take care of Clevelands 115 charitable
and civic organizations for the coming
yearv Lexington, Ky, has subscribed
100000 for charity for 1923 and
Louisville, Ky, is engaged in drive
for 100000 --.
Trade ''Shops Early.
Merchants generally say that the
people have responded well to the
shop early campaign and that con-
sequently there will be less last min
ute buying. The popularity of Christ
mas savings clubs has done much to
help Christmas shopping. In Illinois,
it was estimated more than $15 5,000,-
900 will be paid out to members of
these clubs. Chicago bankers eSti-
mated the 100000 members of clubs
in the city received more than $5,-
100000. In Cleveland, bankers eStl-
mated that a like amount will find its
way to the pockets of Christmas shop
pers who are members of clubs.
Reports from the postoffice depart
ment reveal that relatives and friends
across the sea were not forgotten.
During October and November more
than 100000 Christmas money was
sent abroad by foreign residents of
Youngstown, Ohio, while other dis
tricts were reported to have sent
thousands of dollars to points in Rus
sia, Germany, Italy and the Balkan
states. This, together with a steady
flow of Christmas packages for for
eign lands.
Reduce Rate on Trees.
That the Christmas spirit may be
aided, the Union Pacific railroad an
nounced thru its Omaha offices that
the freight rate on Christmas trees
Omaha and Chicago would be re-
duced. Railroad officials estimated
that about 500 carloads of trees would
be used in the middle west.
The trees used in Wisconsin and
many of those distributed in Chicago
territory come from the northern
Wisconsin forests where woodsmen
have been engaged for weeks in fell
ing the small spruce and -balSam. The
trees are cut largely by settlers who
go into the woods each year to sup
plement their earnings with a harvest
of youEE evergreens.
In the use of Christmas trees. the
National Safety Council has pointed
out the dang gers of decorating a tree
with flammable materials and the
use of candles for lighting, stating
that many beautiful decorations of
inflamma Bile chara acter can be used