Omaha daily bee., 1914-10-11
CHRISTMAS SHIPS
MISSION OF CHEER

CONTINUED from Page One.)
constructed by man. These men are the
fathers of the children of Europe, and
every time one of them is shot down in
battle he leaves a home without a head
children without father.
That is what war means, how It affects
the family and the children. The fathers
OF one country go out and shoot at the
fathers of another country. 1t Is not in
hatred nor in malice, but in that fright
full passion that has the name of war
and battle means a place where widows
and orphans are made.
Plan that is winning.
knowing that ever so many children
would be left fatherless, and with only
poverty and distress before them, 1t was
the thought OF a great newspaper editor
in Chicago that the school children of
America be asked to assist in providing
real Christmas for those of Europe.
Mr.. James Kelley of the Chicago Herald
asked the editor of The Bee and the
editors OF great many other American
newspapers to Join with him, and thus
the enterprise was set on foot. Ninety
newspapers have taken up the work. and
through their efforts much is being done.
President Wilson has given the plan his
approval and Secretary Daniels has
promised a ship of the American navy
to carry the cargo to Europe. Many other
eminent people have endorsed the move
ment
superintendent Graft Assists.
Superintendent f, u. Graft OF the pub
lie schools? endorsing the Christmas ship
nj h,r nh utrla
of war-devated Europe will be oheered
bon Christmas day by gifts from Amer
lean children, said:
zone OF the misfortunes OF such a war
as this is the effect upon children, who
have in no wise been responsible. 1t is
regretable that children should be
brought detrimentally into grown
peoples auArrels. The auarrels of life
will come all too soon for them.
Therefore, any movement that can in
any wise bring cheer TO these children is
certainly praiseworthy and should be en-.
dorsed by everyone who is interested in
child-lfe and likes childVen-that is
everybody"
Superintendent Graft will not now
authorize any collection in the schools
but many of the school children have
come to the aid OF the Christmas Ship
editor by giving pennies for their little
brothers and sisters beyond the sea.
What "a Pastor Writes.
Rev. w. l. CASTOR, pastor OF the First
Baptist church at Broken Bow. Neb.
writes his approval Of the plan as fol-
lows
BROKEN BOW, NEB.. Oct. To
the Christmas ship Editor OF the Bee:
| Relative TO the proposed Christmas
/ Ship, that is to bear our Christmas
families Of the war mad" nations,
permit me TO extend congratulations
upon the promise you have received
from the secretary of the navy thai
one OF our sea fighters will be sent
TO shoot Christmas cheer into thous-
ands of homes that are destitute and
sad because daddy" is out in the
trenches with the fighters, or with the
/ dead
Isn't it grand? The orators of the
world for the next hundred years win
make the story Of that ship blaze with
! learn how 10 use war ships. Our flag
floating over victorious field could
! mot gather TO its folds such splendid
when II floats from tho mast of thar
| Peace on earth and good will" ship.
What can l do for you? / want 10
help In every possible way, Tell me
what you want, AM l will see that
Broken Bow does all In it's power !
have already spoken of the protect
| TO large congregati ons and the propo-
! siuOn Is popular. Very sincerely yours,
w. l.. CASTOR.
! what TO Do.
Ella Flagg Young, superintendent OF
schools In Chicago, and Dr. william A.
Davidson, superintendent OF schools at
Pittsburgh. who is well known in
Omaha, as formerly superintendent here,
have also given the plan their hearty
approval clergymen have spoken OF IT,
| During the last week the Christmas
Ship Editor OF The Bee has received
many letters asking Cor information, and
some containing money for the fund. To
those who asked for information, the
reply was that anybody is permitted 70
help; that anything useful win be APP
proprlate for gifts; that goods should
be packed securely, in order to stand
the rough usage Of a ocean voyage; that
packages should be plainly marked on the
outside. with the name Of the donors. and