The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-12-17
Workers $50 Over Top" for
First Time at Noon.
Scores Unable to Wait, phone
In Membership.
10000 is THE GOAL HERE
More Than 1000 Joined Be-
fore Campaign Started.
Albaugh and Bishop Speakers
at Noon Luncheon.
They're off!

Officially the Christmas Red Cross
membership campaign in Topeka and
the county, outside of the city started
at noon today with a luncheon of
workers at the Chamber of Commerce.
Yet before the collectors of the Dol
lar Of Mercy" convened at the lunch
cor to listen to starter and pep
talks by Morton Albaugh and Bishop
James Wise, it was estimated that
fully, 1, 900 Topekans had purchas ed
memberships.
These preliminary memberships
were the results of large institutions
handling their own drive from within.
Albaugh reported that every milling
company in Topeka has proven itself
100 per cent patriotic by enrolling
every man, woman and child connect
ed with its payrolls. Scores of mem
bership applications were made to
workers this morning. In the resi-
dence district, one woman who did
not understand that the campaign in
her territory does not begin until
Wednesday started soliciting. The
first house she stopped at had eleven
members. Every one purchased a Red
Cross membership.
Santa Fe Men Liberal.
NJ. j. Drury, superintendent of the
Santa Fe shops here, told Morton AL
baugh at noon that he expects his
workers to obtain 1000 memberships
IN his institutions. He based his esti-
mate on memberships obtained this
morning. There are about thirty-fiye
or forty different nationalities in the
shops w. B. Collinson, chief clerk to
F. {. Fox, general manager of the
santa Fe, asserted that 100 per cent
OF the 1900 employees of the big gem
eral offices would be enrolled
1t is the object of the workers to
give every man, woman and child in
the city and county an opportunity
TO JOIN the Red Cross. The average
Iayman may judge for himself the
number by which Topeka's quota of
1z,OOO may be exceeded for the spirit
OF the city is unanimous. A flag in
the window of every. home in the city
is assured, it is believed and the alb
sence of flag in any home will be a
shame to its occupants if the occu-
pants are financially able to buy a
membership.
Whole City Into Drive.
Tension in the city preceding, the
beginning of the drive this noon was
high. AT the Chamber of Commerce
the luncheon was attended by prac-
tically every business. section worker
Morton Albaugh fully explained the
details of the drive. He urged that
not a single person in the city, old or
young, be overlooked.
The Starter talk by Bishop Wise
was dramatic. Telling the story of
Bethlehem and the crucifixion, he de.
clared that the Red Cross must live
and receive the support of the nation
that the ideals of the Man of men be
saved to the world
Albaugh announced that another
MONDAY pep" meeting will be held To-
morrow at the Chamber of Commerce
He urged all workers to be present as
captains of teams will report progress
and the number of memberships OBJ
tanned up until that time
Campaign Well Advertised.
Never before have the people
of the city had movement put
before them more thoro1y thru the
press and by speakers and "personaT'
educational matter This morning
a four minute man appeared at 20
O'Clock in every school in the city and
/ talked to the pupils. No applications
were asked for or taken from the
! school children but their enthusiasm
was aroused and their mem bershipS
when the canvassers call for them are
| assured. 1t is pointed out that be-
cause of the small financial require
ments expected from individuals the
children wilf>have a great chance to
| do their bit.
At the Topeka churches Sunday,
ministers preached, special Red Cross
! sermons urging their congregations to
! get behind the drive unanimously.
| Albaugh today explained to the
workers that the membership is strict
| Iy a cash proposition. Purchasers of
] dollar memberships must have their
dollar or check ready in order to OBJ
taiE their certificate. No applications
for future collection will be taken.
The Shawnee county chairman also
asks that every family decide upon
whether the memberships will be pur-
! chased at the home or at the place of
business of the head of the house
Solicitors, or rather, collectors are
authorized to accept 81 memberships,
/ which include the Red Cross ma gazine
/ and other benefits