New-York tribune., 1916-01-27

To the Editor Of The Tribune
Sir: Though this is the first time in the
history of the "goluth" exile that a ch ief
executive of an important nation has set
aside special day in aid Of the Jewish peo
pie. yet the fact has not aroused any special
interest or called for any particular COM
ment- simply because the American Jews feel
themselves so thoroughly American that such
an act does not appear to them extraordinary
This condition assumes special significance in
the light of the treatment accorded our Jew
sh corelgionists at this very moment in
some of the belligercnt countries.
But it is the American people at large that
is responsible for this feeling. And the Peo-
pies Relief Committee feels grateful TO the
American people, who through their tolerance
and absolute lack of race prejudice make
such day the Jewish Relief Day possible.
Our committee is making every possible
effort to fully avail itself of the opportunities
the Jewish Relief Day offers. We will en-
deavor to make it red-letter day in American
Jewish history. And to attain this we are
making country wide preparations.
In over one hundred large cities in which
lied branches preparations are being made
for the Jewish Relief Day. Some cities, like
Boston, Chicago, Stamford, Philadelphia am
Newark have also made arrangements to
hold mass meetings. theatre benefits and
various other activities. At the Stamford
meeting the principal speaker will be the
Governor Of the state.
From all sections of the country reports
are coming which indicate that the 9th Of
January will become memorable in the an
nails Of American charity We have every
reason TO believe that more money will be
raised on the Jewish Relief Day for Europe ;
Jews made destitute by the war than was
ever raised before for any cause in any one
day
Many workingmen are donating that days
wages toward the relief fund; many business
houses will give part of their January 3
proceeds for the war sufferers
The whole staff employed by the Immi-
grant Bureau. at So Delaney Street a bu-
reau established to locate Jewish war refu-
gees, Jewish soldiers and Jewish prisoners
OF war. whose whereabouts their American
relatives are anxious to ascertain), pledged
their salary for January 27, which amounts
to over $4,000. to the relief fund
For New York alone our committee has
provided one million small United States
flags which will be sold to erybody ire
spectve OF creed or race. Ten thousand
committees will be stationed in different
parts of the city with sealed tin boxes to
collect money for these sales. In addition
TO these. large caldrons. like those used b.
the Salvation Army, will be placed at the
corners of all busy thoroughfares.
Permission will also be asked of all the
large hotel keepers and Office buildings TO
allow such committees TO be stationed at the
entrance of their buildings.
An appeal has been made to the manu-
facturers. especially those engaged in the
cloak and clothing industries, TO release their
workers for January 27, or at least from noon
on that day. so that they could act as voun-
teer collectors. Collectons for the war re-
lief by our committee will also be made in
all OF the shops and manufacturing places
throughout the city.
With the fidd sh theatres we are arranging
to give extra matinee performances, and
man. of the large motion picture houses will
devote the receipts OF their Thursday matinee
performances toward the relief fund
The propaganda for the day will also be
carried on through five thousand large post
ers, which We will have displayed all over
the city.
When the Jews first came to America i,
was demanded of them. before they were al
lowed to land. that they should promise to
take care OF their own poor. That promise
has been faithfully kept. Now the American