Hopkinsville Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1889-1918, 1915-01-05
THE LAFAYETTE FUND.

Americans, through the medium of
the Lafayette Fund, are to be given
the chance to pay little interest on
the debt this country owes to France.
The Lafayette Fund was inagurated
several weeks ago by number of
prominent men and women of New
York City, its purpose being to sup
ply kits containing articles of neces-
sity and comfort for the French sol
diers in the trenches. These kits,
costing 81 each, are made possible by
voluntary contributions.
There is a strong touch of patriotic
sentiment behind this movement on
behalf of the French soldiers. The
snow and wind are just as cold along
the European Aisne as ever the win
ter was severe at Americas Valley
Forge and Americans never can for
get that it was Lafayette and his
men of France who endured the
hardships and dangers of the Revo-
luton, shoulder to shoulder with the
builders of this nation, and who
helped them in the winning of this
nations independence. 1t is in a
spirit of gratitude as well as from
humanitarian motives, therefore,
that the Lafayette Fund has been
organized and the work to fulfill its
purpose is being done.
This movement was inaugurated
less than month ago. Responses
have been speedy and generous and
already three shipments of these
comfort kits have been made to
Havre. Arrangements have been
made with the French authorities
for the immediate free transporta-
ton from New York of all packages
received by them and for the delivery
of these packages to the soldiers in
the trenches within twenty-four
hours after arrival in France.
Each of these comfort kits con-
tains the following American made
articles; complete suit of fleece
lined underwear, two pairs of wooden
socks, a pair of wooden gloves, an
abdominal belt with six safety pins,
dark muffler, a colored handker-
chief and cake of soap.
While this fund at the outset has
been supported practically by New
York contributions. it rapidly is as
suming national proportions. Con-
tributions are being received from
numerous places in neighboring
States and the work is speedily as
Stunning a nationwide aspect. And
the whole of each contribution goes
for the benefit of the French soldiers
in the field, the members of the
Executive Committee personally
having undertaken to meet all ex-
penses necessary in conducting the
affairs of the Fund.
One may become Known as
founder of the Lafayette Fund by
contribution of $500, as a Sustainer
by contributing 500 and as Sub
scriber by giving $50 One may be-
come a contributor by sending 50.
The name of the contributor will be
enclosed in each kit sent to France.
The members of the Executive
Committee of the Lafayette Fund
are Mrs. John Jacob Aston, Mrs.
William Aston Chanler, Mrs. John
Jay Chapman, Miss Janet Scudder,
Mrs. Lee Thomas, Mrs. M. Orme
Wilson, Mrs. Henry Rogers Winth-
rop. Miss Emily Sloane, Robert l..
Bacon, Frederic R. Coudert, Rawlins
Cottonet. R. Bayard Cutting, Richard
Harding Davis, Archer M. Hunting
ton, Philip w. Livermore. Philip M.
Lydig. John G. Milburn, w. Forbes
Morgan, Gouveneur Morris. Ralph
j. Preston and Charles d. Wetmore.
The offices of the Fund are Rooms
l21 and l22. Vanderbilt Hotel, New
York Cifv