Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1917-06-22
VOLUNTEERING
FOR BIG FUND
IN EARLY DAY
IS SURPRISE
T0C0MM|T TEE

Volunteer subscriptions 10 the $4,000
fund Brownsville will contribute 10 the
Red Cross war fund of $l00000,0O0 were
so heavy during the early hours today,
that Chairman f. A. McGary of the
finance committee announced that the
committee will not start until tomorrow its
personal canvass of the city To raise the
required amount.
The first checks reached the office of
Mr.. McGary yesterday afternoon, but the
grand rush came this morning when per-
sons who had received the Red Cross com
mittee letters brought in the amounts that
had been assessed against them. Within
an hour and fifteen minutes after the bank
had opened for business about $1,000 in
amounts ranging from 81 10 $3.50 had
been received, some in cash and others
BY check. In every case the subscriber
paid the entire amount of his subscrip-
tion.
The ready response To the appeal for
donations TO the fund, and the willingness
of the subscribers to pay the amount as
sessed exceeded the fondest hopes of the
committee. Members of the committee
lowered about the finarce~eomIat.c,- hssA-
quarters at the Brownsville Bank & Trust
Co. all during the day, observing with rare
pleasure the patriotic attitude of the cor
tributors.
The readiness with which the Mexican
and Spanish element of the city Is res
ponding was, to the members of the com
mittee, one of the most favorable Indica-
tions of the early subscriptions. In one
case a well known Spanish resident re-
ported with two assessments, one for S25
and one for $50, the larger one having
been sent him through error. He was IN
formed of the correct amount assessed
against him, and promptly wrote his check
for the amount. lie then asked 'Have
you assessed - naming a friend.
He was answered in the affirmative, Mr..
McGary stating the amount at $50. The
man went out, hunted up the acquaintance.
secured his check for $50, and returned 1T
to Mr.. McGary.
"That's the spirit that makes serving on
a committee worth while" said Mceiary.
at j. really wonderful the way the people
Of Brownsville are coming to the front in
this matter and we have no doubt now
that we will be able TO raise the required
amount. Absolutely no complaint has
been made so far in connection with the
committees assessments, all made only al
ter the most careful consideration on the
part of the committee members of the abIl-
ity of the assessed to pay the amount.
''Those of us who cannot 90 90 war
are called upon to do our part II i up
to use to help the Red Cross raise this
fund 20 that it will not be hampered by
shortage of doctors, nurses, bandages,
cots and the multitude Of other necessa-
ries in taking care of the wounded men
on the field of battle. If we cannot fight,
certainly we can do no less than To help
save the life of men who have gone ahead
to fight for Us.
Judging from today's subscriptions, il
appears unnecessary for the Germans "a
conduct an air raid over Brownsville be-
fore the people will realize we are in war.
At Brownsville, at least, there should be
no ignorance as 10 the work of the Red
Cross Ii was very visible on the occasion
two wears ago when the Red Cross sent 4
corps of nurses TO Brownsville 10 nurse tc
life two hundred and twenty-five Mexican-
who had been wounded IN the battle a
Matamoros. Only ten per cent died. lIac
thew not been 30 well cared for II J. quite
possible thirty to forty per cent Of then
~auld have succumbgd 10 their wounds.