The Oskaloosa herald. (Oskaloosa, Mahaska County, Iowa) 1885-1919, 1917-09-06

in truth only the beginning just a
specified sum deemed necessary to
start the work. Looking over the
field the association officers fixed
arbitrary sums to be raised by cit
les and states. Then the people
literally went to it." The goal
fixed by the association was passed.
Some cities and some states failed to
come up to their mark. Others went
far beyond. Iowa was asked to raise
a million during the campaign week.
This was about 40 cents per capita.
Some of our people went out and
raised this sum and then wanted to
quit. But an examination of the
facts makes it clear that the estimate
of a million was too low for the
state. And many less wealthy states
than Iowa went far beyond their al
lottment. The sum asked for was
about one dollar per capita for the
people of the entire country. Now
why should the people in the wealth
lest state and in the state that is
profiting as much by the war as any
other be asked for only 40 per cent
of their equal share of this fund?
And why should Iowa be content with
40 per cent patriotism in this matter
when 100 per cent is easily attain
able?
Colorado was asked for 100000.
The population of the state is $685.
O6O. The people responded with
$1,219,13S. Thls is 152 per cent OF
the amount asked for. 1t is 1927
per capita for the people of the state.
Delaware was asked for $500
She gave $1.067,26O. This was 426
per cent of the sum asked for. 1t
represents SIS per capita for the
people of the entire state. Cleve-
land, O., was asked for $2,50O,0 900.
The city responded with $4,619,576.
This was 1856 per cent of the sung
asked for and was equal to $685. per
capita Kentucky was asked for
$500 900 and came across with n per
cent of the amount at the end of the
week. y" .'..n..'...
How about Iowa? At the close of
the weeks campaign we had reported
90 per cent of our 40 cents per cap
tia. Since that time it appears that
we may go to S1,2OO,OOO, which will
be little over SO cents per capita.
Now the question arises: Does Iowa
want to lie down and quit with this
record as it stands? This Red Gross
fund is a barometer of patriotism.
Do the people of the state want to
quit while the record is below par
measured by the equities in the case
which are 81 per capita?
The Council Bluffs NonpareiI be-
lieves that Governor Harding and
the defense council of the state ought
to ask the counties in the state
which. have not raised at least 81 per
capita for this Red Cross fund to
continue their work until this really
patriotic goal has been reached. We
do not wish as a state to stand in
the Stacker class. in any activity
concerning the war or the relief
work in relation thereto. Here are
the states that went beyond 81 per
capita: California, $1.12; Colorado,
1927; Connecticut, $2.O5; Delaware,
$500; District of Columbia, $1.37;
Michigan, $118; Massachusetts,
$3.50; New Jersey, $40; New York,
SIPS; New York City, $675; Ohio,
$1.S1; Pennsylvania, $114; Rhode
Island, $1.43.
and here is rich Iowa with about
so cents per capita contributed!
The men who are advising Iowans
to quit giving or wait are grievously
mistaken. They do not appreciate
the fact that we stand discredited
before the world and our own peo-
pie if we fail to continue our work
until we have at least contributed
to this work 81 per capita for our