Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1918-04-27
MONEY SACRIFICE
WILL SAVE LIVES
Sost VI Present War Nearly Equals
Americas Expenses Since
Time OF Wash
ington.

mo american people have spent the
sum OF S26,300,000 for the main
tenance of their Government since its
inception LAP years ago. That sum.
Nlse rs II Is, has paid for the enforce
meht OF our laws, all public improve
ments made by, the Federal Govern
nnent, all purchases of territory ma
well as the cost Of all wars we have
bought to preserve our own freedom
ana TO guarantee that of smaller and
more dependent nations.
In this present year we are finding
= necessary to spend sum almost
as colossal merely for the iprotec,ion
vi our freedom. The Government 10
expending $4,000, 900, 900 of money In
1918 and, should the war continue for
three or five years as Is confidentally
expected by officials in Washington.
IL may be necessary to spend this
amount or over more. In his address
TO the Congress some weeks ago.
president Wilson pledged Americas
last dollar and the last life to the
cause we have championed and the
preservation of the Union and our
freedom. 1t is the belief of many
close to the international situation
that 1t may take Americas last dol.
lar; 1t is the prayer of the Nation
that we may not be called upon to
sacrifice the last life. Whether we do
depends primarily upon our willing
ness to sacrifice NOW large portion
OF our pleasures and luxuries and to
O.,
our necessities.
Where Is the money coming frOm7
The sum OF twenty billions OF dollars
Is an inconceivab!e sum to any of us.
1t Is many times greater than the
combined wealth of the twenty-five
richest men or corporations in the
entire United States. Yet that money
Is here and In fact can be realized
many times over. The question which
confronts our Government IL how best
to obtain the use OF It, Huge sums
were required quickly at first and to
obtain them the system OF Liberty
Bond Issues was adopted; as add.
ttonal amounts are needed other Lib.
erty Bond issues will be made. For
the most part, such Issues must be
taken by the more wealthy individuals
and businesses, but their loans are
not sufficient to defray the cost of
the war or to approach In any meas
ure close to the twenty billion mark
required, nor will the increase in tax
alton which effects us all, supply tho
remainder.
This Is Americas war and as Amer
ica's war, war in which we are
Americans must play our full part.
Wealth is contributing money and the
lives OF its children. Some of us are
contributing our children and moro
of us will be called upon to do 80.
But If we are willing to offer our lives
for the cause we surely should be
willing to LOAN our surplus dollars
to insure their proper defense.
Just as has been granted to those
of wealth the opportunity for lending
their capital to the needs Of the Ma
ton at a high interest rate, so has
the Government provided means
whereby every man, woman and child
can do his part in assisting the Coun.
try. The War Savings Campaign af.
lords this opportunity by enabling us
to loan sums as small as twenty-five
cents at a time. 1t Is Il duty owed by
us all and the campaign is an appeal
to our appreciation OF that duty. Pa.
triOtiSm and the determination "rhat
freedom may not perish from the
EARTH" demand that we practice econ.
omy and thrift and give to our Gov
eminent the support that now is so
vital to its life.
W. S. S.
Don't drop your money into the
ScaIc Of ron-pSsential ayDnnuiiureS