Evening star., 1915-01-30
MAY ENLIST CHILDREN
TO AID WAR SUFFERERS
Movement in New York Would
Bring 20, ,0OO, 900 Into Great
Army of Relief.

NEW YORK, January 3o.-The enlist
ment of the 20,000,000 children of the
United States in an army of helpful
ness to relieve suffering both in this
country and Europe is the purpose of
a movement which is announced here
by committee of educators of nation
wide reputation. 1t includes Charles
w. Eliot, president emeritus of Harvard
University; David Starr Jordan. presi-
dent of the National Educational Asso-
citation. and Richard McLaurin, presi-
dent of the ssachusetts Institute of
Technology.
1t is the belief of those interested in
the plan that evil influences in the
schools of the United States are arising
from the war. Influences of lying,
hatred and murder are molding the
lives of Americas 100000 children"
says an announcement of the commit
tees plans, (which tend to crush out
truth, justice and love. AS nation
We are evading our responsibilities in
not seriously attempting to counteract
these evil influences.
"In many of our schools we even for
bid all discussions of the war. We can
not, however. hide this war from our
children, nor keep it's destructive in
fiuences from their lives.
Would Direct Children's Minds.
with nation wide relief movement
of our children we can turn their minds
from destructive murder to helpful life
the strongest. most helpful race of men
and women the world has ever known
The school children are organized.
Inn RI 1Jsafe
work. They can raise at least s1,O00, 900
without burden on any one, as the
funds will be raised in small sums-the
peoples gift through their children,
They can make millions of needed arti-
cles of clothing and other things
Working shoulder to shoulder to Offset
the influences of organized murderous
warfare, they will feel the quickening.
helpful impulse of their great life-giv-
ing ORGANIZATIONS mighty impulse in
their lives and great example to the
world. They will do more to establish
international peace and good will based
on kindly acts than years of diplomacy
and peace conferences"
The plan announced is that each child
earn or make what he gives, or give
from what he has, that he may feel he
has worked or sacrificed to. help. The
fund is to be known as the Children
of Americas Fund" which boards of
education, superintendent, teacler rs
and others are urged to address at Oak
Hill, Newton Center, Mass, for work
ing details.
Half for Local Suffering.
One-half the fund is to be used to
relieve local suffering, and will be dis
tributed through home charities as far
as possible. The other half will be dis
tributed to the sufferers in Europe by
the national committee Arrangements
have been made for the free transpor-
tation to Belgium of all gifts of non
perishable food or new clothing in
packages weighing twenty pounds or
more.
1t is announced that the plans for
carrying out the movement have been
based on suggestions received from
more than 1000 practical educators
They call for free use of the public
school buildings for entertainments to
raise funds: the cooperation of teach
ers in getting the children to earn small
sums out of school hours: the manu-
facture of useful gifts by boys in man.
ual training classes, and one day a
week devoted by all girls in sewing as
a part of their school work.