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Consider the prospects for Christmas in a state like Russia, where it is said of the dictator, “he is not merely the despotic head of a vast state; he is also the infallible leader of a new faith.” As we gather around our Christ- Among the many beautiful heritages that will be ours at Christmas are the delightful. kindly institution of Santa Claus, the inspiring strains of Holy Night and all the Christmas carols: and the majestic grandeur of a noble soul who said, “Father forgive them, for they know not what they do.” What \‘Visions of restricted liberty can be found many parts of the world today, where many are not enjoy at the Yuletide season the fruits of freedom! In this month of December, 'as we observe the birth of The Great Benefactor. let us, as we worship, pay full- hearted tribute to Our Lord whose teachings symbolize the spirit of a useful freedom that has guided many peo- ples to a better life. Freedom is an ancient tree that at times has languish- ed, and again has blossomed and yielded rich harvests. When neglected, its fruits are lost; but when it is care- fully tended, its yield is bountiful and full of blessings to all. Christianity came to a world that knew little free- dom. But the spirit of freedom has nourished all reli- gions. and in turn has been nourished by them. Yet that is not so. These things, and many others like them, are the fruits of freedom. . , Not always could people gather at will for whatever occasion they chose. Not always have men and women been able to move freely from one part of a country to another, without showing cause to some official. Not al- ways have men and women peacefully and publicly made their way on Christmas day to a church of their OWn choice, to worship their God freely and in their own fashion. ' ' "WW Even now there are those in the world who do not enjoy these privileges we take for granted. There are still countries where people may not go to church and worship in freedom. There are still countries where men dare not meet together, at any season, without a special permit and an official “observer.” Countries there are Where you do not step into your car and travel several hundred miles to visit friends or relatives at Christmas, Without first answering to a questioning official. These things, and many like them, we do naturally, unhesitatingly, without a thought of asking if we may. We do them as though all mankind had always been thus privileged. These are among the fruits of a freedom that We have taken centuries to win. Not lightly should we ac- cept and enjoy them. Through the years We may have forgotten how rich we were; we may have failed to recall the many lovely joys that have come to us through the years. But at Christmas it is different. Absent friends and joys, as well as those that are near, bring us joy and cheer. Even those who have passed into the land beyond seem to be with us today; the power of love and memory seems to have pierced the veil that hid them from our view. Dear and half-forgotten memories of hours we spent with them bring them very close. 'Yes, Chrietmas holds much for the old. And its greatest gifts are for those who have laid up a treasure of lovely memories day by day.â€"Katherine Edelman. THE FRUITS OF FREEDOM Melvin Jones writing in The Lion’s Magazine asks that at this Christmas season we count the fruits of free- dom which we enjoy. Soon it will be Christmas, he says, and we will gather with our families, attend church ser- vices and join in yuletide festivities. CHRISTMAS FOR YOUNG AND OLD Christmas is a time of joy for the old as well as the young. ' If it is given only to youth to enjoy many of the pleasures that Christmas brings, age finds its compensaâ€" tions in the wealth of the memories that the day awakes. At no other time do such hallowed and lovely remem- brances of days that are past stir the heart. Again, we revel in the land of childhood; we revel in its happy, care- free hours; we stand before candlelit trees that thrilled us in the long ago. With swift steps we travel across the bridge of time and space and clasp hands with those of other years. Again we live hours of happy comrade- ship and understanding that were ours. = We are grateful for the many agencies which carry on this work of true Christian giving at Christmas and we commend them all to the generous hands of the people of this district. Among others we mention the Richmond Hill Christmas Basket Fund which is now asking your support. Donations may be sent to the treasurer, Mr. A. J. Hume, Richmond Hill. CHRISTMAS GIVING The Christmas season is with us again and in the air is that indescribable something which makes it the best time of the year. The pity is that the season could not be made longer and its observance universal. In some countries Christmas means nothing at all, and in this fact is the reason for the evil, brutality and savagery which has again plunged the world into war. Christmas 1939 will be celebrated under the shadow of world events which are not in keeping with the message of “Peace on Earth, Good Will Among Men". but We must not let international shadows interfere with our dispens- ing of love and joy at this blessed season. , Thought for the other fellow, goodâ€"will, love and help to others make up the true theme of the Merry Christ- mas spirit. The hope of Christmas is always for a better world so with this hope in our hearts let’s make the 1939 Christmas one of service to others. There are countless scores of opportunities right at our door because unfor- tunately in our midst are many to whom Christmas pre- sents many baffling problems. There are many homes where the coming of Christmas morning means worry and concern lest youngsters be disappointed. To those who have, these offer a challenge which can only be met by a loosening of the purse strings. Let’s give at the blessed Christmas Season so that true joy and happiness free from the shadow of want and cold may reign in every house- hold. _ A _ _ PAGE TWO Member Canadian Weekly Newspaper Association Subscription $1.50 per year -â€" To the United States $2.90 Covering Canada’s Best Suburban District Advertising Rates on Application. TELEPHONE 9 Established 1878 AN INDEPENDENT WEEKLY PUBLISHED EVERY THURSDAY AT RIGHMOND HILL THE LIBERAL PRINTING CO., LTD. THURSDAY, DECEMBER 14th, 1939 J. Eachern Smith, Manager “THE LIBERAL” \ The author can justly claim to have formulated the plain man’s ac- cusation against the continued lengthening of education. Or more properly speaking, the poor fellow has not: the spirit to accuse; it is just a burden that he carries, and he carries it because of the prestige of education. - Leacock deals categorically with other notorious faults in our edu- cational system . . . mathematics, physiology and modern languages, students who take high honours in French or German are really incap- able of speaking the language, as they discover when they go out into the world and make a practical test. He ridicules the idea that children should know too much abOut their own bodies: ‘ The author pleads guilty to ex- aggeration, but justifies it because it brings out the point of the arguâ€" ment. Plain people, he says, have noticed that education is getting longer and longer. Fifty years ago, people learned to read at six out of a spelling book-went to high school at 12 and taught school for money on a 3rd class certificate at 16. Af- ter that two years in the saw mill and one in a divinity college fitted them for the church. For law, they needed no college at all, just three summers on a farm and three winâ€" ters in a law office. All the great men in North America got educa- tion this way. They began their real life still young. With the money they didn’t spend they bought a wife. At the age of 30 they had got somewhere or nowhere. But they broke out of the woods into ‘the sunlight, established men at an age when their successors are still demonstrating interning or writing an‘ advanced thesis ‘on social ilmetus. rNow that its all changed. Children in" school at six cut up pauper dolls. ‘They are still in high school when ‘they are 18, learning civics and social statistics â€" studies for old‘ 'men. At 30 they are just begin- ‘ning ten years too late. They marry 'ten years too late, have children ten years too late and die ten years 'too early . . . People do not see 'enough of their grandchifldren, the sweetest prospect in the world. Life has all too little evening; it has all *run in arrears and never catches up. All this the author frankly ad- mits is exaggerated and overâ€"c01- oured‘; but a half truth in argument, “like a half brick, carries better. High colours show up where natural tints blend to nothing. He attacks the method of teach- ing from the alphabet to our archaie method of spelling. He admits that philosophy spelled “filosofy” would‘ look funny but not any funnier than spelling funny “phunny.” Leacock is a much needed iconoâ€" clast smashing many cherished idols, which not only have feet of clay, but heads of (basswood, and he does it all with such superlb good hum- .our and penetrating wit that the book would; be worthwhile even if it 'were not saturated with profound philosophy. Leacock claims that education is eating up life. and the process of equiplp'mg youan people for their life work involves entirely too much time, effort and money. The fault \lies largely in the clumsiness of our educational mechanism which carâ€" 'ries forward an annual phalanx of children on the convoy system alâ€" ways at the pace of the slowest and which moves to a great extent cra!b fashion, perpetually running back with reviews and repetitions. I In. the ,preface of the book Prof. 'Leacock sets forth that we have 'not yet learned to condense to use- ful essentials the things beyond study in detailâ€"(we have encumber- ed! the curriculum with attempts to teach things that cannot be impart- ed by classrwm work. envy. The title of the book, “Too ‘Much College,” aptly describes his subject. Not too much education, but the wrong kind. TOO MUCH COLLEGE “Stephen Leacock, famous lectur- er, author, and for thirtyâ€"five years professor at McGrivll University, has issued a book that will cause more controversy than church union and produce enough laughs to turn all Ithe radio scrip writers green with envy. The title of the book, “Too “The man who has learned to “mm, H... r r U _ Here at home, around our cheery Christmas trees, we can and we: will enjoy .our Santa Claus, our Christmas carols, our church servicesâ€"and even in the Very pack- ages that come to us from off the Christmas tree We will seeâ€"the fruits of freedom. mas trees with our friends, singing with deep feeling the most beautiful of Christmas hymns, “Holy Night,” will they be singing it in the land where it was composed? And will Santa Claus be welcomed with gay hearts in the country where much of his appealing lore originated? THE LIBERAL, RICHMOND HILL. ONTARIO Views of Others on Timely Topics Mrs. Brown â€" How children’s tastes do change. Mrs. Whiteâ€"Yes, when my two were small, Johnny just Ioved‘ sol- diers and Mary was crazy for brightly painted dolls. Now Mary is crazy about soldiers and John runs after every painted doll he Read the “ads” â€" Many bargains every week. SEES {Mix said. “I had a helluva. time trying to get my horse out of Ger- many.” “Why should that have been so hard?” asked Autry. “Be- cause,” Mix informed, “in Germany that’s a month’s food.” AUTRY AND MIX Gene Autry, the American cow- boy star, was in Scotland last month, where he performed private- ly for the children of .the» King and) Queen of England. “You’re a. real celelbrity,” Princess Elizabeth told himâ€"and so the beaming cowboy gave the heir to Britain’s throne his photo, autographed: “To Her Royal Majesty, from your sweetheart, Gene Autry." Autry’s horse, Cham- pion, was brought back to Amerâ€" ica on a freighter. Gene told this to Tom Mix, who returned from Germany recently. “You’re lucky,” :Mix said. “I had a helluVa time trying to get my horse out of Ger- many.” “Why should that have GERMAN MILLS SCHOOL CONCERT Keep December 2131: open for German Mills School Concert. The Canadian Pacific Railway are show- ing coloured lantern slides as well as the usual Christmas concert by the children. FLAT ON ITS BACK “Germany will never be brought to its knees again.”â€"H.itler. If that’s the way he looks‘ at it, then we suppose thFS time the Reich will have to be laid out flat on the canvas.â€"â€"Kingston Whigâ€"Standard. » It must be remembered' that at time of war, as at any other time, by putting money into circulation we keep men at work. ‘So if you had been planning to purchase a new car, replenish your wardrobe, or have your home made ready for winter months, do not de- lay because of the war. If all the moneys saved by these means were turned over to the Gov- enmment to aid in its wartime en- deavors, then it would be '1 differ- ent story. But they are not. By this drastic retrenchment that is already showing signs of existâ€" ence, normal business is bound to suffer. It is Virtually important that now, of all times, Canadian Labor be as nearly self-su.pporting as possible. All the more reason why you should go ahead and have it done.â€" Bovwmanvil-Ie Statesman. Speaking from long experience, not in college, but from studying life, we can heartily endorse Lea- cock’s argument. It is a great pity that some Stephen Leacook did not Write such a book fifty years ago and a lot of Iumiber that clutters up our educationaT system might long lsime have been heaved into the lback yard. ! Some persons appear to have the misguided idea that if they do with- out things they need, let their help go and economize drastically in ev- erything, they are doing-~a great service to their country. Nothing could be more false. ' “Too Much College" should be read by the Minister of Education, the Deputy Minister of Education, the school board, the teachers, the pupils and their parents. The other people don’t countâ€"Telegram. We do not do any gomfl, in this time of war, by reducing all exâ€" penditures to an irreducible mini- mum and by “going into a fi'nan- cial shell.” think of his heart as a pump with an intake in it as valves which get out of order is on the way towards having a weak one. Better let him think of it as the seat of love and generosity, and it wild heat away happin till it stops. “Let him think of nis stomach as where he ,puts his dinner, not as a fierce ehemical furnace where acids are tearing up tissues and sending up exhaust gases like the back end) of a tannery.” thr‘mk of his he an intake in it out of order is having a weak think of it as generosity, and happily till it s ANOTHER MISGUIDED IDEA \VORK OF THE YEARS I Each member had) been ask-ed to come dressed to represent a title of la book. They were new asked‘ to 'standl in turn and the members guessed the title they represented. After their title had> ‘been gueSSed each person gave a brief outline- of the story of the book they repre- sented. The prize Was won by Miss (Isabel McKenzie as “Peter Pan”. (Miss Alma Kerr sang a solo, “Home Sweet Home”. A question and an- Iswer game followed after which cur- rrenrt events were given by Merle ‘Hla'mlbly. A balloon ‘bl-ovwine‘ contest 'followed and‘ was: won hv Alex Rhaw 'and the programme closed with 3. Geography match. _ Missuxsâ€"Huhl! No woman has to whide through 400 .pages to discover t t. The Kleinlburg Y.P.U. held their social meeting at the home of Mr. and! Mrs. M. Wardlaw on Friday“ evening, Decemlber lst. The meet- ing opened with the nresid‘ent, Mr. Netwvbon Watson in the chair and after brief business session the meet. ing was given over to Miss Olive ‘Devins, the social convenm'. She ‘started her program by singing a hymn after which Mrs. G. Taylor -read “In the Door of the Tent", lMarg‘aret Watson played! a piano solo and Miss Helen Campbell read a poem entitled “Books”. V Mrs. Wardlaw then served lunch after which Jirm Stevens movvedv a vote of thanks to Mr. and Mrs. Wardlaw for their kind hospitality. Misterâ€"This is a great book 911 the wondlers of nature. To read it makes one realize how lowly and insignificant; man is. Moved by John Wat<on, seconded by A. B. Cousins. that the treasurer be authorized to pay the accounts as read. Carried. By_law N0. 704 to provide polling places for holding elections during the year 1940; to appoint a place for holding- nominations. and to ap- point Deputv Returning Officers and P011 Clerks was passed with the Orange Hall being selected for bold. ing- nominations andI the polling places named as follows: Sub-divi- sion No. 1, 'Town Hall, Nonman Maynard, D.R.0., and Lorne Bagg, Poll Clerk; Subdivision No. 2, Or- ange Hall, Edgar Brownlee, D.R.0., David Preston, Poll Clerk. Moved by A. G. Banks, seconded by John Watson, that we do now adjourn to meet in the Clerk’s Office on Fniday, the 15th day of Decem- ber at 8 p.m. Carried. N. Smith, consta‘ble’s *unit'form, 835; Harrison and Crossfield’s Ltd., $3.27; Woodbridg'e Advertiser, advertising, 81.00; C. F. Lewis, salary, etc., $31.85; N. C. Wallace, selecting jurors, 82.00; Ed. W. Brown, select. ing jurors. 82.00; G. W. Bagg, se- le'cting‘ jurors, 82.00; J. L. Wallace, trucking and gravel, $19.00. Waterworks Dept. Woodlbridge Hydro Electric Com- mission, power and light. $51.38: C. F. Lewis, salary, $25.00; John Gillan, repairs, $2.65: Woodlbridg‘e Hydro Commission, 10 months rent for storehouse, $20.00; Imperial Oil Company. oil for pumps. $3.71; Can»- ad‘ian Brass Company, sunnlies, 342.50: S. Raven, renairs, $3.15. Woodbridge Hydro Electric Com- mission, NorveLmiber street lighting, $82.16; Ed. W. Brown, salary, $25; Bert Harris, 5 days in court, $20!; Thomas W. Cole, 5 days at court, $20.00; Mrs. A. B. Cousins, rent of fire hall, 812.00; Jamexsl Poole, re- pairs_ tp_constablq’§ H. Woodlbridge village council met according to adjournment Monday evening, December 4th. Present were N. George Wallace, reeve; Councillors John Watson, A. B. Cousins, John Dalziel and Arthur G. Banks. Minutes of the last meet. ing were read and adopted and the following accounts were placed “beâ€" fore council: “'OODBRIDGE COUNCIL DECEMBER MEETING Pre-war Prices on Winter Clothes Phone 49J Let us take care of your Cleaning and Pressing Requirements. Our driver will call or you may take advantage of our low cash and carry prices. =O=0=0=0=0=0= KLEINBURG AN EASIER WAY RICHMOND TAILORS we are offering them to you at prices which will challenge comparison. Suits, Winter Overcoats, and everything in the clothing line hand tailored to your measure at prices no more than you pay for ready-made. Our trade mark is your guarantee of expert workmanship. SEE US TODAY â€" DON’T DELAY A large stock on hand and our extensive orders for high quality materials enables us to offer to the people of York County Winter Clothing at definitely Pre-War Prices. We have choicest materials to choose from and cans-“mono J. A. Greene THURSDAY, DECEMBER 14th, 1939 JONES COKE'CO. BALING Hay & Straw Lehigh Valley vm--.‘ . _..__ GO NORTH 0R SOUTH 0R EAST 0R WEST "YOU'LL imm OUR LUMBER Is 'â€" TRE BEST 4 Telephone 188 0oooooooooooooooooooooooofi § INSURANCE i Having taken over Moore Bros. baling business I am pre- pared to bale hay and straw on short notice. Price rea- sonable. Latest facility for moving outfit. SHEPPARD & GILL LUMBER CO. ANTHRACITE “_Tl}e Coal That Satisfies” TINSMITHING FURNACES - PLUMBING HEATING Septic Tanks Installed Pumps Barn & Stable Equipment 74 Yonge btreet Successor to Moore Bros. PERCY COBER Phone Stouffville 7313 Gormley RR. 1 Richmond Hill RICHMOND HILL ‘. H. KANE