The Waterbury Democrat., 1937-11-30
WOMAN,S REALM
.EARENTB-
 Your Children
BY Olive Roberte RartoR

contend that if we had no Sam ta Claus all ready made for us, we would have to invent him. The fac- tual and the realistic have an idea that were we to discard wistful thinking, Santa would be first to go. But has he gone? There are. our realistic governments today, who have put machinery before religion, and certainly before imagination. Have they thrown St. Nick or his counterpart overboardP
 Take Russia, for instance, with its face set against tradition and custom. It gave the Christmas saint cold shoulder for many years. Christmas was like any other day, and Santa cooled his heels at the outposts. What toys lie had brought the little Russian boys and girls were sadly put back into stock. If they wrote notes and sent them by way of the chimney route, there was no answer. This continued for quite while, long enough for a genera tion of children to reach maturity and grow accustomed to Santa less holiday.
 But Santa Came Back
 Then something happened. Just what we shall have to conjecture. The children couldn't strike, when they knew nothing about 1t. Par ents couldn't or wouldn't try to smuggle in an old fellow who was a practical stranger to them also
 Yet Santa came back last year in Russia newly named Grandpa Christmas" bringing with him Christmas trees, decreed to have a five-pointed star at the top. Fac- tories rushed to make new toys for Russian children. Fell short of the mark, but did the best they could to provide each child with at least one doll or train.
 Yes, it was the government that brought back the merry old gift giver last year, and did not even wait to wise his passport.
 Grandpa Christmas will be back this year.
 And SO now what does this prove? Just that certain things seem to be necessary to keep children and everybody else happy. Evidently it was considered wise to provide the means. Evidently 1t was all careful ly thought out, and Santa was in- vited after all the years, because he had good effect on workers.
 Science Pro and Con
 Several years ago, q controversy arose in this country about the wis., dom of keeping Santa on visiting lists. Psychologists went to bat, for and against him. Dr. HollingsWorth of Columbuia declared that life was hard and children should be taught that there isn't any Santa Claus" She was answered by many, among them Dr. E. w. Wiggam. Sorry there Is not room to reprint his defense of Santa Claus, the reindoor sleigh and the magic chimney. But he closes with, Tt is when that child with his faith, hope and illusions dies within us that we lose our faith and courage which help us so much to face with spiritual strength the hard real world" Also-"if in child hood he Santa Claus) seemed a reality, it only helps us to hold him as the spirit of Christmas in later life"
 Possibly the debate about the wis., dom or unwisdom of continuing our Christmas myth will never be set- tied; after all 1t is matter for parents to decide. But one thing can never be changed. The child's heart, that makes up its own Santa Claus even though he come empty handed and without a name. It is longing for someone who asks little but gives sympathy and understanding in full measure.
 Copyright, 1887, NEA Service, Incl