Norwich bulletin., 1917-12-29

WILLIAM J. MULLIGAN
 Friday evening White Cross council
 K of C., held a largely attended war
 rally in connection with the campaign
 for the K. of c. war work fund which
 they will conduct here in January. Be
 fore tke meeting the K of C. four
 piece orchestra rendered several, selec-
 tions. The meeting was called to or
 der by Grand Knight John H. Carney,
 who introduced Rev. J H. Broderick
 as chairman of the meeting. Father
 secretary of the council, to read the
 letters from Mayor Brown and Rev.
 F. $. Worcester. Mayor Brown eX-
 pressed his regret that a severe at
 tack of lIIrnbago prevented his attend
 ing the meeting but expressing his
 hopes for the success of the campaign.
 MT. Worcester was unable to at
 tend owing to a previous engagement
 but he too, sent his wishes for a sue
 cess. Father Broderick then made
 few remarks on the subject of the work
 which the K. of C. is carrying on and
 pointed out that the K. of c. is strict
 camps and that it in no manner con-
 f1ictS with the Y. NJ. c. A. with whom
 the organization is now cooperating
 in France
 He then introduced William J. Muli-
 gan. of ThompsonVille. National Di-
 rector of the Knights or Columbus and
 state chairman of the k. of C. War
 Fund Committee.
 Mr. Mulligan said in part as fol-
 lows:
 people are defending the democra tic
 principals of government under which
 we live and have prospered. for over
 14o years. We know no divine rights of kings. The people are the sover- eign source of all power. The req sons which made the nations of Flu rope engage in the conflict and the reasons which prompted individual nations to enter the world war may be left for history to decide but we know now that America entered the war for no selfish greed. but to up hold the principles of righteousness and justice.
 The Knights of Columbus is an is working so that the soldiers and
 sailors may be kept strong physically
 and morally while in the service and enable them to return to their homes work the order is not working as a fraternal organization but a truS- tee of all people. Both the Knights of Columbus and the Y. M. C. A. are cailtonments in this country which are open to all regardless of creed or color. But the Knights of Colum- bus look after. the spiritual welfare l. IA f looks after the spiritual welfare of the ProteStantS.
 While our soldiers were at the bor- der eighteen months ago the Knights of Columbus engaged in this same work and the funds required to erect the buildings, equip them and con duct them were taken from the gen eral funds of the order. When Amer ica first declared war the order de- cided to raise s1.000,000 and an as- ,lan,-- ship which raised about s700,000, the balance of s30o,0 900 We expected to collect from our membership, but as |, the operations of our government in- l creased our work hroadened and it was decided at the convention in Chi cago last August to raise a fund of $3,00o, 900 so that the work would not | be lacking in any particular branch. engaged in larger work so that to- day we,. realizing that in order to successfully cooperate with the gov ernment in it's undertakings-find it necessary to call upon the public throughout the country for s1O,000, 900. | In each of the cantonments and na- 1 val stations we anticipate erecting for l the benefit of the soldiers and sailors, i from one to three buildings, equip them with stationery. baths, musical i instruments and other. necessities which will provide comfort and en- joyment to. all boys in the service. Secretaries are in charge of the build | ings and chaplains are furnished both here and abroad who will look after | the spiritual needs of all boys. At the present time we have sew enty-nine buildings. erected at an av-
 craze cost of $s,oo0. It is estimated | for one year will cost $300,0 ,000. At | the. present time we have forty i've chaplains in the United States who are being maintained by the fund One | k>-- -I~-x Ek | a year and twenty five secretaries at $1200 a year each. Ten chaplains are abroad and. an overseas commission er.who will report at the board meet lstruction work in Europe. It is es- l timated that not less than 10,00O,- ! 900 is needed to carry on the. work | already started. ' ! ously helped by Catholics in their campaign for funds and in such places as the Knights of Columbus have had | their drive Y. M. c. A. workers have willingly responded. Difference of re- l iigious beliefs is not considered By men who are in the trenches and the ! folks at. home should have no differ ence- of opinion. We are all endeav- | bring to carry out the same great purpose. we are all engaged in the
 same work. The victory, which we confidently expect, and God willing will surely come. will effect all in | the same way. Therefore I am sure that the people in Norwich will. rally
 to the support of the Knights of Co., lumbus in this city in their effort to l have the city do its full share in. the raising of funds which win mean so l much to all our boys who are fight ing the battle of the common enemy so that. our homes will be protected and our government will not only be maintained. but will be stronger. { The United States has been. termed the -.melting pot'' of the world and fsE hal .f,f