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Show People Who Drop Coins in Tin Cans for Sweet Charity . HAEDLY a week passes in this country without the inauguration of some sort of drive, the object of which is to secure funds for benevolent purposes. So general gen-eral has become the custom that municipalities have found it necessary to establish estab-lish regulations under which money may be collected and accounted for. After many experiments made to simplify the business of receiving voluntary contributions, the sealed tin can, slotted for the reception of coin or currency, and bearing a plainly printed statement as to what particular organization or institution is behind the drive, has come into general use. Women and young girls are the most successful collectors of largess lar-gess for the benefit of suffering humanity. hu-manity. While it is not obligatory upon citizens to respond, none the less a pleasant smile and a soft voice, plus an appealing look is an influence of proven value. Quite recently at the peak of a drive, worthy in every way of generous gen-erous public response, I returned to New York after a long absence, entering Manhattan via the Pennsylvania Penn-sylvania station. One of a dozen pretty girls, all armed with tin banks and enameled buttons, asked if a contribution. "Whatever you wish to give," said she. "We are grateful no matter what the amount." From a vest pocket I produced several subsidiary coins and held out my hand: an invitation for her to help herself. She selected a quarter, fixed upon the lapel of my coat an unobtrusive button which established me as a member of the club, and expressed her thanks. One in Six Contributes. "May I suggest that you wear this symbol the remainder of the week," she said, "for the reason that the drive will go on for that period and we want the publicity. Also it shows that you have responded re-sponded and that nothing more is expected of the wearer. It is insurance in-surance against further appeals. Really, if people only knew that, with an investment of not more than the cost of a cigar, the initial cost of a badge, a button, or a ribbon, rib-bon, they could render themselves immune against what many regard as an annoyance for the duration of a drive. These things have just got to be done if humanity is to carry on. I hope you don't mind my putting it that way." Here was a girl of good sense, contributing her own time without fee, and as I learned immediately with no little pride in the part she played. She would be easy to interview. "What percentage of those you ask to contribute respond with money?" I asked. "About one in six, a little less than 20 per cent, and in amounts ranging from five cents to a quarter; quar-ter; occasionally fifty cents or a dollar bill. About half of those who pay tell me to keep the button and sell it again. But to that I say 'no, you must wear it so that others may know that you approve.' No man who is willing to help should be ashamed of having done so." "Who respond the more readily, men or women?" Women More Generous "Men as a rule, but women are more generous when they do come in. In any case the middle class can be depended upon to make the best showing. I am sorry to say that many people who from their attire at-tire and manner seem to represent the prosperous class are downright rude at even the suggestion that they should be included in the trivial assessment for the good of others. It is heartening to find that there are some who come forward without with-out being asked, to volunteer a contribution. con-tribution. One man, who from visible visi-ble evidence appeared to be not ! overly prosperous, gave me a twenty i dollar bill, but absolutely declined ! to wear a button. 'It will save you from being approached again, I j urged. 'Oh, I don't object to that!' he replied. 'It won't be hard to give ! something to the next collector.' Men of that sort are few and far between, however." "The average daily total?" The girl shrugRed her shoulders. "Well the weather always has something to do with giving. Perhaps Per-haps you will be surprised to hear that rainy days ore the best. Instead In-stead of being chilled and depressed by gloom, a great many people seem disposed to respond to an ap-1 ap-1 peal from others. Warm sunshiny coys have almost the opposite ef- feet; folks don't appear to realize ; that anything is worth worrying about. All is well with them; why ; not with the rest of the world? I ! f.r.d that the morning is more favor-j favor-j able for good returns. Most people are buoyant after breakfast I myself my-self work faster and with more satisfaction. satis-faction. Now about the average, I feel that the day has not been wasted wast-ed if I take in twenty dollars." f WNU Service. |
