Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1918-03-13
pR0llCypufpIt

Rock Island. ILL.,. March 12..Ed
ar Argus; In the comments N TO
avs Argus. discussing the patri-
Nh fund and the committees in
tsatjons as TO publishing names o.
hose who subscribed to the fun;..
.5ose who did not subscribe and
hose who subscribed. but not in
srroffance with their financial
Utilities, Will say land | think there
Ire hundIed who Will agree with
mel that this does not show the
rEht American spirit.
/ was one of the committee a
nv place Of employment. | made
clear to the men whom l can
rsssed tina, there was to be no CO
ercion; that every man was free t.
subsCribe or not subscribe as he
chose, and that he could designat'
the different funds TO which he de-
sired his subscription applied.
By following this course l was
able to mark up 100 per cent In
ms department II l had minated
TIA. there would be any ill-feelins
toward those who refused to sub
scribe | feel sure that the indie
pendent American spirit would
have rebeIled and our subscriptions
would have fallen short OF the high
mark attained
The patIio,s' fund committee has
or will have attained its object.
After victory why do any muck
raking? Suppose some do give
more than others? Suppose that
few men think that a certain
cher man did not subscribe ds
much as he should? Is it to be
supposed that every man is going
10 publish his private affairs to all
who seek donations? Is it not jus.
possible that these men have very
good reasons for not subscribing
larger amounts, but hold it as good
policy no. to give their reasons?
Why go to the expense OF build T..
ing additions 10 the y. N. c. A
raising funds tor good roads. con-
Tent!0ns. waterways, Fairgrounds
&c, at this time, when everyone
Is asked to deny himself many
things that we may win the war p
There is no question but that the
above mentioned funds are for a
GOOD cause. but they should have
been left for the future-afte thu
va. is won.
1t is Americas business to win
he war. 1t is the duty OF every
lberty-lOying. right-living Ameri-
cal 10 aid in every way he can
the administration at Washington.
IA prosecuting this war TO a trl-
gmphant finish. 1t is also the duCv
o. the oyerZealous public improve
ment man TO lay aside local amb! :
IONS that our la -iOnal desires may
Be realized,
We are willing to come across
with all oar spare change and
! make our old suit last another sea-
son that We may have money to
subscribe 10 the Liberty loans o.
| back up the government itself IN
anything /. may do, whether thai
government represents Republican
democrat or Socialist parties
50 Il is the duly elected govern
menL But blamed If we are going
70 pay "a double profit on every
hing we buy and build a road o.
] building as a monument to some
ambitious somebody who doesn I
subscribe IN proportion to his Il
Ancial ability as We do ourselves
One OF the speakers made a re
mark that he wouldn't work with
man VINO did not wear d patriots
iand button, Well. he did work
WITH him. The writer solicited ii
lie same campaign and we dom
wear button OF any kind. We
nave subscribed to the Liberty As
-e Red Cross. the patriots fun /
Saa still We don't wear any buttons
aad il our Uncle Samuel needs
= even though W. are several
ears beyond the draft age limit,
will get on our seven league
9ols, dope our trigger finger up
sda s. Jacobs oil, have our spec
/ 4eies reftted tor long range and
March on 10 war.
4 A PATRIOT.