Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1918-05-17
AN ENp.rHE.wAR FUND

Last year the Red Cross conducted
nationwide campaign in which a
war fund Of $1OO, 100000 was raised to
finance the greatest grapple with hu.
man misery ever undertaken in world
history. When the latest statement
was made it accounted to the penny
for the appropriation of more than
sS5, 900, 600 of this sum.
Next week, in Wapello county and
throughout America, second drive
for 500 ,O0O, 900 will be inaugurated.
Wapello county's minimum quota Is
$4,000. It must be over-subscribed.
In the first war fund drive Wapello
county's Red Cross chapter did not
participate. It was not fully organized
then and it was considered imprac-
ticable to extend the campaign to this
community.
But the Red Cross has been serving
wapeIlo county's soldiers with the
same broad human sympathy 1t ex-
tends to others. And Wapello county
is no Red Cross Stacker nor lacking in
gratitude for the opportunity to assist
the organization in its worldwide work
of mercy.
When the stakes were set at $780,.
100000 in the first war fund drive the
sum seemed larger than 1t seems now.
People were less accustomed to speak
ing of big sums; they were less &C
quainted with the scope Of the work
the Red Cross does. Now, those who
review the achievements which that
500, 900 900 fund has financed wonder
how so much has been done with so
little money.
For many months the world of ma
lions has been spending that much
money every day for the destruction
Of life. The devastation in Europe
appals the most hardened veterans Of
the war and mocks the ablest writers
when they seek words to describe it.
The Red Cross is doing its best to
repair the damage that war does-not
after the fighting is ended and the var
ious governments have deliberated and
resolved; but right now. while the sui.
fering is acute and while the work Of
alternating it is fraught with disaster.
The Red Cross Is recognized and
authorized as department Of the gov
nment's wartime activities. It's 40
counts are audited by the government;
its appropriations are made by COM
mittees whose members include the
ablest financiers, business men, sur
geons and social service authorities to
be found in America. Since America
entered the war the Red Cross has
been conducted on lines laid down by
men with full realization Of the man.
moth proportions of the undertaking
The Red Cross has done things; its
programs have been carried out and
still are being carried out.
And now It needs more money to
continue its work It is helping to bind
up humanity's war wounds. 1t Is sue
coring thousands Of Belgian and
French refugees who have been driven
from their homes by war. Last year.
when the Italian armies were crushed
by the united Teutonic forces, the Red
Cross sent men and money and sup
plies to the assistance Of the refugees.
Canteen service for the soldiers-our
soldiers--is established close behind
the allies lines. The stricken people
Of Serbia are receiving attention. Scat
tered through France and Italy are
hospitals conducted by the Red Cross.
The organization receives and dtstrib-
utes more than 200 tons Of supplies
daily in Paris. The list Of its activities
is almost endless. The work 1t is do
ing is marvellous.
The continuation Of this service re-
quires money. Every dollar given to
the war fund Of the Red Cross will pay
big dividends in reducing the ultimate
cost CT the war: not merely as that
cost is measured in human suffering
but as 1t is measured in money. For
the Red Cross is doing a vilally neces-
sary work to maintain the morale OF
the armies which are fighting to end
the terror of Prussianism. Every ser.
vice it performs strengthens the forces
opposing the kaiser and helps to short
en- the time which must elapse before
peace can be proclaimed. Every dol,
lar given to the Red Cross brings so