Webster City freeman. [volume] (Webster City, Hamilton County, Iowa) 1884-1946, 1915-03-30
IOWA'S GREAT
PART IN THE
BELGIAN RELIEF
Report by Chairman Chamberlain
Tells of Splendid Response
by This State.
CASH AND SUPPLIES GIVEN
Value of Contributions to People of
War-Ridden Nation Well Over
100000.
CASH AND SUPPLIES GIVEN

Des Moines, March 29.-The great
part which the state of Iowa has
played in the relief of distress and
threatened starvation in Belgium
has Just been made public in a re-
port which D. S. Chamberlain, chair
man of the executive committee of
the Belgian Relief association, and
instigator of the movement, has just
submitted to Governor Clarke.
The report shows a total of 124
carloads of provisions sent from
Iowa to the general association in
New York. These provisions con-
sisted of 65 cars of shelled corn, 10
cars of cornmeal, "a cars of -four, 2
cars of rolled oats, 6 cars of meat
products, including dry salt pork,
lard and luncheon meat: cars of
canned goods, including corn, baked
beans and pork and kidney beans,
and 2 cars of condensed milk.
The exact value of these provis-
ions is not shown in the report, but
it is estimated to be well over $780,
O00 The cash contributions amount
ed to $54,322.65. Both the money
and the various commodities were
contributed by every county in the
state and by nearly every town.
The following letter by Mr.. Cham
berlain to the people of Iowa, which
is included in the report, tells of
the enthusiasm with which the state
came to the aid of the Belgians and
summarizes the work carried on by
the association:
To the People of Iowa:
The appalling distress and threat
ened starvation of millions of help
less, innocent men, women and chill
dren in Belgium awakened a feel
ing of horror in every American
home and the response has been one
never equaled in any age or country.
Iowa was among the first to come
to their assistance, and a cable sent
to Herbert G. Hoover, chairman re-
lief committee, London, brought an
immediate reply, Urging that Iowa
use all speed in relief work.
During the first week in October
steps were taken by few business
men in Des Moines to organize the
Belgian Relief Association of Iowa.
In less than ten days Governor
Clarke appointed an executive COM
mittee, one member from each con-
gressional district.
The promptness with which the
people of Iowa responded and their
liberality stands as an everlasting
credit to the state.
The press of the state gave the
movement free publicly. The grain
elevators were made relief stations
The school superintendent brought
the movement to the attention of
the teachers and had collections TAX
en- up on specified days.
Ministers of all denominations
most heartily cooperated in the char
liable work.
The banks were also made relief
centers, and aside from contribu-
tons given them by the people in
their district, were most liberal con-
tributors.
Transportation, both steam and
interurban, was donated. The West
ern Union Telegraph company do
mated service over their lines. Long
distance and local telephone service
was contributed.
Messrs. Fleming Bros. gave free
use of Office rooms, and merchants
loaned equipment free of charge.
The executive committee and the
many local committees all contribut-
ed many days of their valuable time.
Such enthusiasm was bound to be
met with success, and it is with
pleasure attention is called to the
detailed reports.
We made no purchases outside Of
Iowa.
All Consignments were made to
Commission for Relief in Belgium,
II Broadway, New York.
All money was deposited with
your state treasurer. Payments
were made on receipted vouchers,
approved by your chairman, and will
be kept on file by the state treasur-
er.
Any contributions that may reach
us after the closing of this report
will be spent in the state, and the
article bought forwarded to II