The Raymer enterprise., 1918-05-30
LAY ALL THE BLAME
ON ENTERPRISE MAN

When the drive was made for the
Y. M. c A. last fall the response
was very generous. We think it
was fully double the quota.
The matter of sending it away or
holding part for some future drive
was considered by the local war
council, and 1t was unanimously
agreed to send in about fifty per cent
above our quota and retain the bal
ance for future drives for the same
+. purpose.
j Later there came a call for what
was known as the quadrangle drive
to support the four religious insti-
tutions closely allied to the Y. NJ.
c. A.. in their work. The work of
all is similar,
The four activities to be benefited
were, the Salvation Army, Relief
for the victims of the Armenian
massacres. Association for aid to He
brew soldiers, and the Knights of
Columbus.
The writer is not as familiar as
some with the distinctive fields of la
Dor of these four organizations, nor
do we think it particularly impor-
tant that we should be. The gov
ernment sanctions all as worthy OBJ
jects of our bounty and that is suf-
ficient for us, and we are willing to
give to all. and if we made any dis
tinction it would be to select the one
that seemed less popular, to the end
that the one most needy might be
supplied. We cannot tell from here
which one needs most, so we are
willing to trust those higher up to
make proper distribution.
To have canvassed the whole dis
trict would have taken approximate
ly the same time as it would to have
raised twice the amount, and time
VS. precious. some of the men who
would have been expected to make
the canvass were working overtime
then on work required by the gov
eminent.
Solely for the purpose of saving
the time OF these overworked com
mittee men, 1t was suggested that
the quota for the district be paid
out of the Y. M. C. A. fund on hand,
and it was done, $65.00 from this
Y. M. G. A. fund was sent to meet
the quota Of this district for the
quadrangle drive. We believed then
and we believe now that of those who
gave to the Y. NJ. c. A. $4,000 out
of every hundred subscribed are sat
isiied with the disposition made of
their contribution, or will be when
they know the above facts. We be-
lieved then and we believe now that
il the five activities had been joined
in the original drive every dona-
tion would have been just as read
lily given, or ii there is here and
there objection, the falling off would
have been more than made up by
Others who would have approved its
wider and more universal scope.
We have heard guesses at the iden-
tity Of the member Of the committee,
responsible for this diversion OF
funds. To set at rest any doubt,
the editor of this paper is willing
to assume the responsibility OF the
suggestion. We do not defend the
action, we simply state it so that
those who wish to place the rcspon-
sibility will lay the blame on us
and let better men alone. We are
used to it.
We make these statements at this
time because he Red Cross drive
was hampered to some extent by those
who made this diversion of funds"
an excuse for not giving to the Red
Cross.
If they would give the matter
little thought, they would know that
the Red Cross fund could not be
diverted. What you say about the
chairman ''f the War Activity Com
mittee, don't matter, what you fail
TO do for the Red Cross and all other
war work is of serious consequence
We do not wish to see dissention
in any phase of the war work, and
ii il will satisfy the donors better,
it will not be an impossible thing
to raise the funds to replace the
Y. NJ. G. A. complete.
The persons composing the War
Activities Committee are certainly
men in whom you have confidence,
They will welcome criticism, but go
to the committee with it, rather than
striking the Red Cross by refusal of
support at critical time.
We regret that anyone has felt
offended, but since they have, we
regret even more that occasion for
oifense was given. We want abso-
lutte harmony Of all the patriotic
forces. The War Council will meet
any objectors more than half way
and do what they can to remove
any cause of friction.
Now IN Won who hava ref,cod IN