Free trader-journal. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1916-1920, 1918-05-13
OTTAWA TO PUT WAR FINANCING
ON BUSINESS BASIS WITH $4,000
A PROCLAMATION BY
THE MAYOR OF OTTAWA

Acting upon the advice and sag-
geston Of the various organizations
engaged actively in general war re
lief work, and after thorough in
vestgalion, am moved TO issue the
following proclamation | am con
vinccd the citizens Of Ottawa, with
many OF whom | have consulted,
will fully approve of my action in
this matter
This community. like all other
communities in the nation finds H.
self at this time confronted with
serious problems arising ont OF the
war. which so far as We can now
determine Will be OF protracted
length There have been various
successful efforts made to meet the
financial demands for funds of yari-
ous war activities such as the Red
Cross, Y NJ C. A., Knights of Col
umbus. Salvation Army and others
OF small scope This city has always
patriotically performed its duty
relative to these various enter
priSes There are numerous organ
i2atiOns ana committees. and new
ones are constantly coming into cX-
iatonce, for war purposes The ef-
feet Of this has been TO produce
conflict and duplication Of effort and
those solicited for funds have found
it difficult to appraise the relative
merits Of the various appeals made
Frequent campaigns in which teams
canvass a community for money
should be abandoned Various bene-
TT affairs for war relief purposes
meritorious though they may be,
should be eliminated as only small
proportion OF tue receipts are avail
able for The intended purpose. The
amount so expended by the citizens
Of the community reduces just so
much the amounts which are avail
able FOR direct results. The pres
cnt system seems certain to break
down and fail to meet the demands
Of the future II is now apparent
that the requirements of the war
in which this country is actively
participating on a large scale, i'm
peratyeiy demand a systematic.
comprehensive and equitable sys-
rem for the collection and distribu.
tion Of funds in the various war ac.
tivtes which form an ESSENTIAL part
Of the war program Of the nation
Whereas A satisfactory plan has
been developed and is now in sue
cessfu operation in cities in this and
other counties throughout the cOun-
ry, and has received the endorse.
ment Of civic, labor and business
organizations Of this community re-
presenting each element Of the com.
munity including workers, mer.
chants and manufacturers.
Now, therefore. as Mayor Of the
City of ottawa, proclaim that from
this time forward until further not
ice collections for any and all pur-
poses incidental to he war, except
Liberty Bonds and War Savings
campains, (Which are Investments,
not d0nations) shall be made through
an organization TO he known as the
Ottawa War Relief Association, with
the purpose OF forming "Patriot
fund"
Collections shall be made through
this authorized agency and distribu
tions made by the same agency. To
the Executive Committee Of this As
saciaion all demands for funds iOI
lp0se5 related 70 the Was VII Dt
presented, and lhrojsh the said cX
ecutiye committee all war relief vii
be administered The said aXten
tive ,o,nmltcc OF the Ottawa Wai
Reliog Association shall also act as
a board Of trustees Of the Patriots
| fund
As mayor of the city Of Ottawa
! hereby appoint the following or
ecutiye committee for the said OF
( tawa War Relief Association
Herman H. Ahrbecter to repre-
sent the manufacturers.
John f. Berry president of Build
ipg and Trades Council
Dennis ] Dunn to represent fac
tory workers.
Clarence Griggs. president o
Chamber of Commerce
Reverend Henry +. Ebert am
Reverend John + Quinn. to repre-
sent religious organizations.
Charles II. Kingman, TO represen
I educational organizations
L. c. Brand president Merchant.
Association.
AL +. Schoch. to represent banl
ing organizations.
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