Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-10-23

In statement last night, Governor
Seay. OF the reserve bank, said:
we have been advised informally OF
several million dollars in subscrip-
tions. which have not been reported
but, even at the best. the district is
far behind even its minimum allotment.
The banks and the Liberty loan COM
mittees. therefore. have before them a
Herculean task to take in subscriptions
covering the balance between now and
Saturday,athe 2Tth. p. NJ. when the
subscription lists close.
The failure of any section of the
country to DO its due part may well
make that section shrink from the
verdict Of history. No people In all
the worlds history ever faced the re-
sponsibilities which now confront the
people of the United States. II the
failure of this nation means success
OF the German cause. as we have every
reason to fear, then it also means the
enslavemcnt and degradation and un-
sreakable misery and lapse from civil
ization of the major part of the world.
The banks and the Liberty loan COM
mittees and the newspapers of the
Fifth District are solemnly called upon
TO arouse the people from an apparent
apathy which may result in the failure
oil the loan"
There is also considerable delay in
reporting subscriptions 10 the central
committee directing the campaign in
Virginia. This is true In Richmond and
throughout the Staie. Richard II.
Smith. chairman OF this committee, had
received returns totaling only $121s2,-
$50 from Richmond yesterday after
noon. yet local banks have reported
subscriptions In excess of $15,50o,oOo
Other State banks have reported only
sS.91s.G10. making tae total for Vir-
gnia SO far only $21,l11,sSo. The com
mittee, however, is c,nfid .nt that the
subscriptions exceed this figure by a
considerable amount.
DRIVE FOR SUBSCRIPTIONS
TO THE SMALL BONDS
In Richmond the campaign during
the remaining days will narrow down
to drive for subscriptions to the
smaller denomination of the bonds.
People of moderate means are being
urged to enter their subscriptions at
once. and speakers are visiting every
plant employing many workmen. In
every instance the speakers have been
met with a most cordial reception, and
the interest Of the people is said to
be exceedingly encouraging There were
several meetings yesterday and last
night, and each was productive Of many
subscriptions
Announcement was made that the
Mercantile Trust and Deposit Company.
OF Baltimore, had subscribed S3OO0,O00
to the Issue yesterday. The Merchants
and Mechanics Bank. of South Rich
mond. had received yesterday after
noon subscriptions totaling $130,oO0.
This institution was allotted s13S.4oo,
and it's showing was gratifying to
bankers, indicating. they declare. the
undivided support of the people of
South Richmond in standing behind the
government.
Advices from Norfolk indicated that
the campaign in that city was being
actively conducted. and predicted heavy
subscriptions Reports to the reserve
bank. however, show subscriptions
slightly in excess Of 100000. as
against its allotment Of more than
$5.00o,000. Bankers arc inclined to be-
licve that subscriptions are being with
held, and that at the close Of the cam
paign that city will not be far behind
it's apportionment.
DIRECTING COMMITTEES
GET TARDY REPORTS
Bankers emphasized the Importance
Of more prompt reports and greater
activity on the part of banking institu-
tions in the rural sections of Virginia
and in the Fifth Federal Reserve Dis
trict. Reports being made show great
tardiness in returning subscriptions,
and the directing committees are labor
ing In the dark to great extent. Dur
ing the past two days several thousand
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