Evening star., 1931-12-21
BRINGS TOYS
IN SPITE Of SLUMP
Commerce Statistics Show
as Many PIaythings Or
dered as Ever.

Santa Claus, the white -whiskered
play boy at the North Pole, has paid
little attention to the worldwide busi-
ness depression this year.
He has bought almost as many toys
from manufacturers in the United
States and other sections of the world
from January to September as he did
during the same period last year, the
Commerce Departments Kris Kringle
Statistician announced.
This years toy trade has been fairly
evenly distributed throughout the
United States and we'll balanced
Bertha c. Meridian, the departments
toy expert attached to the Specialties
Division, in an article made public yes
terday in the departments weekly
organ, Commerce Report.
Carries Heavy Cargo.
When the old man yells "Giddap" to
his reindeers on the night before
Christmas he will drcp S493 1928 Of Amer
ican made toys in Canada, $44O,0 OCT in
Great Britain, $59,l62 in Argentina,
S36,503 in South Africa, $35,338 in
Cuba, S330l4 in Mexico, S32.775 in
India, s3o,45S in the Philippines and
S295, ,634 in other countries. His pres
ent to the American toy exporter will
be check for his bill of S1.456.874.
The department at this time is un-
able to hazard an estimate as to how
much money he will eXpend for Ar2eri-
Can-made toys to be delivered down
American chimneys, but Miss Meridian
has compiled figures showing that his
demand here was greater than the
supply. He has bought and will drop in
his leap across this country German
m 10 1VIa@ nt q
anese toys, sS38,936; Czechoslovakia,
$1o5,731; Great Britain, sSO,7oo;
France, s57743; Austria, sl4,499:
China, s10,O74 and S42,873 from other
countries. The total toy imports from
January to September was valued at
s2.639,225.
The United States total foreign trade
IN toys during the first nine months of
this year, Miss Meridian said, depre-
ciated in value when compared with the
same period of 1880. She explained
that the decrease was slightly in favor
OF exports, which dropped off S539,601
in 1881, whereas imports were S765, 5,679
less than in 1880.
Whims Closely Checked.
The department specialties division
has been a close observer of the whims
of Kris Kringle. 1t was pointed out that
he has forced the toy manufacturer to
spare no effort to achieve the utmost
realism in the production of the play
things, and in many instances old num-
bers have been completely reorganized
and newly constructed to bring up-to-
date features of the adult models.
Toys, probably more than any other
type of merchandise. said Miss Meridian.
readily identify themselves with and
react to any event of universal interest,
whether it be an airplane flight, an in
ternational race or the popularity of
certain radio characters. She explained
that each year adds new items to the
existing list, and this seasons toy offer
ingS are considerably augmented both
in variety and extent of merchandise.
From reports reaching the Specialties
Division, Miss Meridian said, the lead
ing groups. from the standpoint of
value of production. are dolls and doll
accessories, and the toy wheel goods
which together accounted for approx
mately 36 per cent of the total produc-
ton of the industry. Wooden and me-
chanical toys and play furniture come
next to value, she said.
Certain Items Increase.
However Miss Meridian pointed out
there has been a decided growth in the
uelndno LOT play yaro ana gymnasium
apparatus in recent years, due in part
to the growing hazard of street traffic
and the need to provide for the safety
Of children at play.
In Miss Merdian's opinion toys are
less affected by unfavorable economic
conditions than are many other lines
Of merchandise, partly because of the
wide price range from very inexpensive
to higher grade items, and to the par
ticular appeal which toys make, espe-
cially at this season of the year.
She said there has been a marked
stimulation In the demand for games
for adults and children, because of the
curtailment in many homes of outside
social activities, and of the need for
less expensive forms of entertainment.
Consequently there has been an almost
universal demand for a wide variety of