Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1916-04-15
M arjorie's Fund
Enrolls 100000

/
that the Courier Junior become GUS
todian Of the fund which she desired
| to head and which size is going to
raise among her girl friends through
out the city.
The second Iowa girl to respond was
little Miss Doris Tower, 1877 North
Court street, Ottumwa. Doris also
attends school at the Adams, and she
promises to be booster for the bat
tleship, too.
The names of the Ccatsville, Mo,
Juniors who are going to be boosters
for the battleship fund arc:
Edwin William Piatt.
Elmer Piatt.
Verna Piatt.
The local Marjorie Sterrctt battle
ship fund, thanks to Airline Patton OF
Ottumwa totals 81 40 today.
Here is the way Marjorie started
the fund:
Two months ago little schoolgirl
had an idea. She wanted another
battleship for the United States navy.
She sat down, wrote letter to the
New York Tribune and enclosed her
entire available resources-one dime.
Today 100000 persons, old and
young, between the Atlantic and the
Pacific, not only have welcomed Mar
porte Sterrett's idea, but have re-
sponded spontaneously in sums from
five cents to $500. And the campaign
has just got under way.
Sixty newspapers reported by wire
last evening an aggregate collection
of $13,35O58 toward the U. S. S.
America. OF this The Tribune alone
has received to date $6,373.12.
Since the last general report Of two
weeks ago voluntary contributions
have poured into the Offices Of the
newspapers handling the fund at the
rate Of 1920 day. Considering that
the vast majority of the donors have
sent dimes, an average of 5000 per-
sons have daily dug down into their
purses, fat and lean, and given their
mite toward at least one rivet In the
plates for the future dreadnought.
Every twenty-four hours 5000 per-
sons register their belief that the
dream of the little Brooklyn girl will
come true. They wager 10 cents that
there is still enough dormant patriot
ism in American hearts to put across
the biggest kind of popular under
taking ever attempted in any land.
They pin their faith to the ideal and
then set out to make it realization.
The most notable contribution re-
recently was not the largest from the
money standpoint. 1t was the $3.50
from the crippled children of the state
hospital at West Haverstraw-dimes
earned by seventy-two children who
are not able to run and play as other
youngsters. In their light and airy
institution overlooking the Hudson
they perform simple tasks from day to
day while their crooked limbs are
growing strong, and it was their own
money that they chose to send for the
battleship.
MARJORIE IN NEW ROCHELLE.
The New York Tribune-New Ro.
chelle surrendered to Marjorie Ster-
rett yesterday. She approached the
town in a binding snow storm, hoping
to take 1t by surprise, but found her
followers, undaunted by the weather,
lined up at attention in the station and
ready to surrender Internationally to
the battleship builder.
Mrs. Zaida Wright Beattie, the edi.
tor of "The Tattler,' which is handling
the Marjorie's battleship branch Of
New Rochelle, was the mistress of GER
emonies and called for salute from
the Boy Scouts and the Sutton Manor
/ battalion. Then the parade formed.
First, real Gordon Of police took
their place in the snowy street and the
Fort Slocum band Of fifty pieces struck
up martial air as the children march
ers fell into line, directed by Lieuten.
ant Van Brunt of the Grand Army of
the Republic. Then came Marjorie, in
ed by line of decorated cars.
! In spite of the storm every child
possessing a battleshin button piled in
! Germania hall at 2 o'clock to see Mar
jorie The members of the Battleship
Boosters club of New Rochelle, the
first of it's kind. were out in force.
Harry Childs presided over the meet,
i ing and an address of welcome was
made by Alexander Anderson.
Little Helen Badgley, only seven
years old, sang three songs which de-
! lighted the audience and finished by
dancing to Grieg's Morning." Then
the battleship girl was introduced and
Helen gracefully presented Marjorie
with a bouquet of flowers.
After the preparedness film "De.
Tense or Tribute?" which was greeted
with intense enthusiasm, Marjorie was
whisked away to the home of Mrs
Elizabeth Herbert Childs, the author OF
the preparedness song America! Pre-
pare." and one Of the most ardent
workers for the battleship fund in her
! community. There she was given a
party by the members of the Sutton
Manor battalion. whose captain is Her
| bert Childs.
At the evening performance William
B. Gray, president of the New Rc
chelle association acted as presiding
officer and a complete preparedness
program of music and speeches was
given before the film. Although the
weather was not suspicious, the spirit
shown toward the battleship fund was
infectious and genuine.
The thriving Battleship Boosters
club, who with. THE Tattler' arranged
battleship day for New Rochelle. Is
headed by Mrs Beattie, chief guardian
The guardians inclGNa,. Mrs. Martir