The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1903-11-15
E. FL. Boennkin Suggests Circu-
lating Subscription Among
Factory Employees.
CHILDREN SHOULD ASSIST.
Committeeman Continue Active
Work in Interest of Testimo-
NAL and Results Are
Encouraging.

Many ideas have been suggested for
putting the movement to raise the bat
tleship testimonial fund before the peo-
pie in such a way that they will be called
upon to subscribe, but none of these
ideas have as yet been put to the test.
1t Is now proposed to circulate subscrip-
| cion lists among the employees Of the va
rious stores and factories. placing the lists
in the hands of officers Of the companies,
as special committeeman.
This idea was proposed by E. H. Boehn-
kin. president of the Crane Company, who
said:
1.-THE lack of a popular subscription does
terested. as q whole. in the testimonial,
but that they have had no real opportu-
nifty to contribute. II subscription lists
were sent to the various firms and facto.
ries in the city. 1 am sure that many OF
their employees would be glad to contrib
ute small sums that they would not send
10 the general committee, because Of the
small amount.
'If one were sent to me I should gladly
present 1t to our employees. and. Judging
from their contributions in other move
ments, the result would be an addition to
the fund tina would not come otherwise;
I'm a matter which concerns the State,
the school children should be asked to add
their mite to the fund. This has been done
in other States where I nave lived. with
gratifying success, and though l under
stand that 1t canrot be done in st. Louis.
in the smaller towns this Is a good way 10
raise q popular fund"
MEET WITH SUCCESS.
None Of the committeeman have made
reports to the chairman or treasurer of
the fund. except to ask questions. They
filled a page of their lists these will be
sent In with the names and amounts OF
the contributors.
The committee appointed by the Manu-
facturers' Association IS expected to re.
port its progress ut an early date \
from statements made unofficially the
members are meeting with such success
that the fund Of this organisation will in-
clude all the firms that make up its menu
bership.
There is a disposition on the part Of
lists until ali possible subscribers have
been seen. This Is not in accord with the
plans Of the general committee. which has
requested. through its chairman, that al
funds be turned in as fast as they arc
received, otherwise the clerical work in
acknowledging the subscriptions Will be
Throughout the State the funds are for
the most part in the hands Of the Mayors
counties: A es received from them in
dicate that lie fund Is being made more
general there h In the cities
The contributions are smaller, but they
include practically the names of every one
In the district. This. it has been stated,
Is the idea of the fund. There are half
n dozen men in st. Louis alone Who could
buy a whole battleship outright II they
wanted 1t, but O Gift from them to the
bhttleship would not be representative Of
the State.
LUMBERMEN TO AID,
Instead OF asking their members what
they will give. certain of the clubs have
adopted the plan OF setting a fixed sub
ecription and asking for that amount. The
success of this plan has been stated as as
Eured in at least one organization. whose
contribution will soon be announced.
This Is the plan on which the members
Of the general committee that represent
the lumber interests of the State are at
work, and while their circular letter has
been mailed, the results Of their efforts
will not be known for several days.
Some enthusiastic letters have been re-
ceived, It is said. which promise the sup
rort Of the fund, not only BY individual
subscription, but by the circulation of
Lists among the workmen OF the mills n
camps in outlying districts where no or
ganized movement would otherwise be
started.
The funds now in the hands of the COM
mitteemen waiting for the completion of
their lists are estimated at a sum almost
sufficient TO buy the testimonial without
State ale. 1t Is also said that st. Louis's
share of the completed fund will be found
to exceed the amount set by Chairman
Ballard. 5000. by at least $1,000.