New Britain herald., 1918-08-17
AGITATION FOR A
 WOMAN'S WAR FUND
Money Would Provide Pensions for Nurses Wounded in Battle
(By Addison C. Thomas)


 are doing at home and abroad?
 Miss Kathryn Carlisle. who is at the front in France, in a recent letter to her parents. Col. and Mrs. Charles A Carlisle, of South Bend. Indiana, brought out the great constructive value of the wonderful service rem dered by the American Women" of the American Red Cross and the Y. M. c. A. To quote
 The spirit of the American soldier is wonderful. Our Boys" go into battle with q smile and song of courage. and yet with a resolute will that drives fear into the hearts of the enemy. When Our Boys fall, it is facing the enemy. I wish every one at home, particularly the loved ones Of our fighting men, could see Our Boys' as they go into battle. It's the proudest moment of life and the grandest. Every one of these blessed men feel that if he fails to get there on time and at the very second when called into action the fight will be lost That's the spirit of the Amer iCan soldier and that's the courage we American women at the front ap plaud.
 Here's a toast one of our brave officers left with Us. It expresses the latitude of Our Boys to us and their protection for us. perhaps better than hny word of mine:
 ITO our women, who sent us forth with courage in their hearts and tears in their eyes; to our women at home who are sacrificing all that we may win; to our women over here who give their own lives that we may Hve,--God hless them, and damn the man that does not respect them and ths coward that does not protect them
 "'Our boys mean every word ex- pressed, and no woman was ever more thoughtfully considered and protected than we of the American Red Cross who serve Our Boys at the front.
 After every battle and at intervals, we see Our Boys coming back from he battlefront-blood- -soaked--weary --hayonet and shell wounded--but oh! how brave"
 The splendid, wonderful spirit of the American soldier is in like man. aer reflected by the constructive and efficient service of the American Wo- man" with the American Red Cross and the Y NJ. c. A.
 Addison C. Thomas of Chicago, for many years with the Associated Press, who first read Miss Carlislc's letters from the front, caught the vision and inspiration to do something substan- llal, something quite worth while, for he American Red Cross Nurse and others who serve "Our Boys" at horne and abroad.
 After conference with Col. Carlisle t was decided to submit to the Am erican people through the press the following suggestion and petition:
 Tn behalf of all the American Wo- men" at homo and abroad who serve .n the American Red Cross and the Y M. c. A., and to the countless number who serve elsewhere, all with the same hope and desire. to be or real value and service to the "Ameri- can soldier" this petition to the Am arican people is dedicated, and thore- fore it is resolved
 To invite every American citizen .o. contribute, to q freewil offering sor the express purpose of establish InE the American Women's War Fund" out of which shall be paid substantial pension to every Ameri- can Woman who gives up her life, or who sacrifices opportunity at home, that she may better serve "Our Boys, sr in other ways contribute to the welfare and comfort of such. Every penny contributed shall go to ? ;he American Women's War Fund and shall be held for distribution by Finance Committee" to be selected sv the American Red Cross and the Y. NJ c. A., and approved by the Sec ,etarv of the Treasury of the II. $. A.
 Every penny contributed shall be aAld by tho Finance Committee subject to order and distribution by Tn Executive Committee", who shall SC selected and directed by the Amer can Red Cross and the Y. NJ. c. A., executive head officers, and if they Jointly fail to agree the Secretary Of he Treasury of the r. s. A. shall have & full authority to take over all funds and direct how 1t shall be distributed. So fer as possible, and if and when .hese funds, shall permit. the Exec uttve Committee in It's discretion Y shall pay to any American Woman" or to the family of any such woman, # who gives up her life in the service of.an American soldier, or who makes sny special sacrifice at home or % abroad that she may better serve Av "0ur Boys, a sum of money that in part may, in the discretion of the NAF.xecutive Committee, show an ap- preciation by the American people S who contribute and make possible this fund
 To each person who contributes shall be given a Certificate of Mem bership, acknowledging receipt of the contribution, and once each year. so sfar as it is possible to do so, the Exec utive Committee, through the press pr otherwise, shall make compre- hensive report.
 Every child in Sunday schools, pub sile schools and elsewhere is invited to Contribute one penny or more each