That article has a few errors, or maybe just omissions, at least for the origins of 'treats' in the United States. The custom of souling and guising was brought to the U.S. by immigrants. However, by the 1920's vandalism had reached epic proportions during Halloween. Organized community trick or treating was adopted by the 1930's to combat the vandalism. The treats were a bribe to keep your property from being vandalized. Trick or Treating ended at the start of WWII because of sugar rationing and night time curfews. My grandmother told me there were volunteers that walked the streets in the evening to ensure everyone had their blackout curtains in place. She had two small babies at the time (my father and aunt), and she recalls many nights spent hiding with them in the iron clawfoot bathtub because of air raid sirens. (bunkers were not widespread available). Anyway, after the war with sugar rationing lifted, the tradition of trick or treating began again. By the 1950's, any semblance of the real customs of Halloween were replaced by the commercialization of Halloween. The Candy companies enjoyed a profitable growth.

Reference:

http://www.history.com/topics/halloween/history-of-trick-or-treating

and my grandmother's old stories

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Wolfenshire, Moderator/Community Leader