Evening Star Newspaper, December 21, 1930, Page 83

THE SUNDAY STAR, WASHINGTON, D. C, C.RISTMAS BY LILLIAN G. GENN. UPPOSE. this 'Christmas Eve Santa Claus decided that instead of filling stozlings with individual gifts he would bring ' something which the people of all nations could enjoy. Something which would make life brighter and happier the whole year round and contribute new meaning to the spirit of the season. What could he present this world with? What does it most need? The writer ventured forth with this question tossee what those who know this world well would have to say about it. She found a host of celebrities who were eager to help old St. Nick in his choice, “Tolerance,” at once answered Irvin S. Cobb. “Tolerance means so much—sym- pathy, fairness, an understanding of the other fellow’s viewpoint, a willingness to lay aside one’s own prejudices and listen to both sides of the case, a dying out of bigotry, and, most of all, human charity. If the Wworld had more tolerance I'm sure it would have fewer wars. There would never again be a religious feud or & racial vendetta. “But then,” smile¢ Cobb guefully. “If - this world had enough of tolerance it wouldn’t be earth any Jonger—it would be heaven!” Graham McNamee had a very special gift he wanted this world to have. “Courage is our supreme meed. Life is getting more complicated and competition more keen. We are too easily discouraged and afraid. We lose faith not only in ourselves, but in God. There is hardly anything in life we can't do and any difficul- ties we can’t overcome if we only have courage, the kind that is backed by great faith. Every day, then, would be a Joyous adventure in living.” “MY suggestion for a gift,” said Prof. Jo- seph Jastrow, “is so plain and-familiar a thing as hon- esty. It is almost incredible how much more pleasant and, convenient a place the world would be if people were more honest. “Think, too, of the enor- mous amount of money that oould be saved in locks and keys, bolts and bars and in other forms of protection if people were only as honest as they should be. Just think of the peace of mind it would create! “I'm not speaking now of only, the criminally dishon- est, but the far greater bill that society has to pay be-~ cause people are not strictly honest in everyday relations. Honesty is one of the virtues that become more important as society becomes more complex— #s we depend .nore and more upon property and possessions and upon ways of providing an income by trade. The Indians who lived in tents and owned most things in common needed no bolts and keys-and no policemen, although they bad ‘to be shrewd in trade. “The world,” he summed up, “undoubt- edly needs many Christmas glfl‘ but it is not out of place to consider how much more simple life would be it people were ommends humor for this weary, downtmdden Id. 'o‘l‘.oood humor, taken in geneérous doses,” he twinkled, “would be the best possible antidote for all the real and imaginary 1ilis from which the world is suffering. “Despite its triteness, the old eaution to stop taking things so seriously is an ace-high remedy pessim! P roaming the earth. If I could play Santa Claus to the universe this Christmas, I think I'd take every sense of humor in the world out for a general overhauling and a rollicking round or two of wholesome exercise.” “There are 50 many needed,” said Schumann- Heink thoughtfully, “but I believe that peace is fore- most. However, I don’t feel that this gift will come with Christmas or any time, if there is not brotherly love in our hearts. When this becomes a real, vital spirit and not merely words, we will be able to live in pe.ce and in Mmony, as all children of one —— "'rhe gift the world needs most,” contrivuted Judge Jean Norris, “is a spiritual one. Nations, like indi- viduals, have become so materialistic in their contacts with one another that they have forgotten the sig- nificance of what the angels sang 2,000 years ago, ‘Peace on earth, good will toward men.’ If, on Christ- mas day, we would resolve to follow that admonition and eliminate bitterness of spirit from our hearts, and spproach our problems with less thought of self and more thought for our fellow men, there would be real peace on earth. Nations as well as individuals would settle their differences and rejoice with one another instead of, as today, seeking causes to quarrel.” Jane Addams, the famous American pioneer in social reform, who founded Hull House in Chicago, believed that wiser international arrangements were needed. “Then the nations would be able to feel secure and nmznymmmmwmuomm”- basis that would mever again be disturbed.” DECEMBER 21, 1930, [ GIFT THE WORLD NEEDS MOST Mme. Schumann- Heink, shown with her granddaugh- ters. A Yuletide Symposium in Which Celebrities Tell What in Their Estimation Is Most Valuable Boon Santa Claus Could Brmg to Human Race This Irving S. Cobb’s suggestion ]or the ideal Christmas gift to the peoples of the earth is tolerance. JmAdd.mbebemmmmtzre national arrangements are t world’s greatest need. .41 ‘the world were oeru.ln of 'per- and money to other channels rather than petual peace,” agreed Ted Husing, well the difficulty of keeping the ravages of knovnrwonnnmmeer,“wevonnbe war away from our door. -Just -think, able to devote more of our time, thought if all the energy, huge sums of money (LT REPIROAEN and. brilliant minds that are continually at work to avert war could be devoted to charity, humanism and world enlightenment, and if we could be assured that there were no possibility of war, what a world this would be!” LU AT the world needs at Christmas, as at_other times,” stated H. L. Mencken, “is precisely what Jesus preached: a little more common decency. Every one seems to be try- ing to find new ways to harass and oppress his fellow men. Worse, most of these devices .are hawked in the name of Christianity. I¢ is not only directly contrary to the theory and practice of Jesus; it is also flagrantly cone trary to every sort of decency. “I suggest that the world celebrate Christe mas by taking to heart the verse from John, xv.12: ‘This is my commandment: That ye love one another as I have loved you."” Albert Payson Terhune said tha$ sanity would be his choice of & gift. “The sanity which faces con< ditions neither gloomily nor with- gushing optimism; the sanity, which is foursquare and une shakable in good times and i bad; the sanity which also realizes that the Golden Rulq is not a goody-goody preache ment, but the greatest ultie mate wisdom.” Willie and Eugene Howard, those inimitable comedians, are, as usual, in accord with. their gift. “It’s laughs, laughs and more laughs,” said Willie, “Of course, you cannot buy it in the store and send it to some one as a Christmas gift. But if we would all remember ize that the joy of life is not In the superficial narcotics which wealth may bring, but ln_' simple, every-day living at its best would be a priceless gift. Such living would be . newvlthlnone'suuthulplrltmkl Maj. Edward Bovs deehred that man- Hndsboulduveenehdsyuthmhn were a lifetime. “Enjoy today and don’t always be striving for tomorrow. Compare your lot with-those who have less and not always with those who have more. Be appreciative of what ‘you have today.” The same sentiment was echoed by Billie Burke. “We should be more thankful for the bléssings we have. People are always complain- ing about things. It isn’t until some~ thing that they never troubled to be grateful for is teken away from them that they see what a precious gift it was. If a greater spirit of - thankfulness could prevail, the world would be a brighter place in whiely to live.” a Channing Pollock was also of the same mind. “I am ly ap- palled at Christmas,” he confided. “For 364 days in the year miost of us have too much. On the 365th day we double or treble the muchness. To our wast store of what we don’t need §» added almost as great a supply of what we don’t even want. “The only thing worth while in Christmas is its sentiment, which is not enhanced by the levying of tribute, the mad scurry through crowded shops, the gross materialism we have made part of it. The Christmas gift the world most needs is an under- standing and appreciation of gifts that are not bought—of the spirit of Him whose birth we celebrate. “I should like to see a Christmas on which all ma« terial gifts were given to people who really need them, uylde-o!theperlectchrhtmuzfltwouldbeum- ter: ‘What I used to buy for you, dear, thhye- ) 4 have sent to some one less fortunate.’ ” “A better mutual understanding among all races and nations,” said Merlin H. Aylesworth, president of the National Broadcasting Co. “My choice of this