The daily telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1901-1926, 1914-11-23
Pass the Plate.

-.
Belgium as result OF the European
war. The horrible situation has been
repeatedly described through news
dispatches and special articles Of cor
respondence, and the Telegram takes
1t that d mere reminder OF Belgian
needs Is sufficient to the people Of
this nation, who will observe Thanks
giving Day this year with extraordi-
nary praise and unusual thankfulness
and at the same time partake OF
bounteous Thanksgiving dinners.
Thanksgiving Day here will be a
happy one; in Belgium the day will
be a sad one along with all other days
TOW.
Thanksgiving Day next Thursday
is particularly American, but Christ
mas is worldwide, one designed to
bring good cheer everywhere. 1t is
the day thu. especially concerns the
people OF the United States now and
that concern is no violation Of neu-
traiity, nor is it manifestation Of
Partially in the great war struggle.
There is merely q desire to relieve
suffering humanity, provide substance
for the starving and bring a ray of
light to the hopeless, comfort to the
homeless, alienation temporarily at
least to the pangs OF hunger and the
tortures Of the chilling blasts Of
winter.
Entering into the spirit Of relieving
the Belgians, the Telegram gladly
publishes the following self-explan-
atory letter written by Henry Clews,
treasurer of the Dollar Christmas
Fund for Homeless Belgians, 10
Broad street, New York City, con-
tanning an appeal 8er contributions.
and this newspaper most heartily APP
proves all movements designed to
bring good cheer and relieve suffer-
ing whether 1t be in Belgium or
other sections of the great war zone:
Christmas approaches and count
less unhappy Belgians, despite gov
ernmental relief, the Rockefeller
Foundation and other valuable agen-
cies, are confronted with starvation.
therefore beg the favor of your col
umns to say that the Dollar Christ
mas Fund for Homeless Belgians. of
which am treasurer, is working for
the special purpose of preventing
starvation amongst hundreds Of
thousands OF Belgians this winter.
For this purpose we are cooperating
with the London Shilling Fund
much older fund which has collected
nearly 100000 and which Is express
ly organized to see that no Belgian
man, woman or child spends Christ
mastide devoid OF food and shelter.
There will be no duplicating, no
overlapping and every penny sub
scribed will go direct to the victims
IN whose behalf l appeal. II believe
this great work Of mercy commands
the sympathy of us all and more es-
pecially in this month when Ameri-
cans doubly blessed with peace and
plenty are preparing to celebrate the
Day of Thanksgiving. Inspired BIZ
thought suggest various ways in
which you can help to avert the
agony Of suffering which must other
wise confront the refugees during
the coming winter. You can send a
donation to our fund addressed to-
myself as treasurer, Messrs. Henry
Clews & Company, Bankers, Broad
Street, New York City, or you can
apply to our secretary, Percy Bullen,
66 Broadway, New York, for coll
Letting card. He will be glad to issue
tameS to any person enclosing refer
ences. Churches, chapels, clubs, So
cteties and Sunday schools can assist
by a collection. Entertainment COM
mitees may render great. help by
sending us the proceeds of benefit per-
formances. In all these ways friends
everywhere are assisting nobly. All
the money received will be cabled to
Europe before December 20. Many
heads of families and boarding
houses have promised to pass the
plate for the homeless Belgians be-
fore the turkey on THANKSGIVING
Day. The needs are unreasonable.
Let us remember that no little nation
In the worlds long history has been
more grievously stricken, vet no
people can raise their heads more
proudly from the dust. The crown
OF thorns is still crown! Help us
as best you can. Your gift will sure
ly be remembered long after the war
has ceased and no mans Thanksgiy-
ing or Christmas Day will be the less
happy because in some cases the gift
may entail some measure of personal
sacrifice"
.!.....s'
4 VIZ TT Am om--