The daily star-mirror. (Moscow, Idaho) 1911-1939, 1918-10-21
COUNTY COUNCIL
ISSUES STATEMENT
SUMMONS M. E. LEWIS TO EX-
PLAIN WHY HE DID NOT BUY
MORE BONDS s,-.--

The following statement was handed
to The StarMirror by H. H. Simpson,
chairman of the Latah county Liberty
loan committee, whose hard and con-
sistent work resulted in Latah county's
heavy quota being raised. The state
ment was prepared by Mr.. Simpson and
L. F. Parsons, chairman of the Latah
county council of defense 1t follows
"Latah county as announced in our
Saturdays issue went over the top in
fine style on the fourth Liberty bond
drive. The fire bells and those of the
various churches we're rung Saturday
evening to announce to the public that
Latah county once again had succeeded
in doing its patriotic duty.
H. H. Simpson, chairman of the
drive, when interviewed was not able to
give the exact amount of the subscrip-
tions of the county, but he sttaed that
he believed that the official figures
would show that Latah county had sub
scribed for ($o00,0O0), and possibly a
little more.
"It required strenuous work on the
part of the committee and the many
citizens throughout the county who took
an active part in the drive to put it
over. All of the patriotic citizens of
the county are now jubilant over the
record made. The chairman of the
drive is asking for an honor flag for
each community, and the county
'The quota of ($800,00O) as fixed by
the state committee was considered by
many to be an unjust one, and it was
feared that it could not be raised. An
endeavor was made to have it reduced,
but without success. The council of de-
fense is now taking immediate steps to
see that just quota be given Latah on
the next drive
81. F. Parsons in speaking of the
drive stated that several factors inter
,ered with the work of the committee
1rive over.
German propaganda to the effect that
Liberty bonds were graft of the banks,
md were making millions out of it,
caused a great many to hesitate in max
ng subscriptions. The failure of per-
IONS of considerable means to come
through and take their quota as assigned
or to take bonds in proportion to their
wealth, hampered the commit
ee to a great extent. The public in
sisted that these persons be forced to
,ome through. In the majority of in
stances these parties came through when
heir duty was properly explained. A
ew, however, refused Those have been
.ited to appear before the council of de
ense as rapidly as possible to explain
Why In some of these cases it will be
found that an error has
,een made in fixing the classifications
md quotas. 1t is the purpose of the
ouncil of defense, that no injustice is
lone any individual, but the work of
he council is the work of the public,
nd the public is the final judge as to
he proprietary of an individuals ac-
ions in war activities.
"The actions of M. E. Lewis in refer
nee to Liberty loan subscription in this
nd the third drive has become a topic
f public. comment. Mr.. Lewis by the
ublic is considered a man of great
wealth He is rated by many to be
Jorth from one-fourth to one-half mil
on dollars, and the general belief IS
nat he has not done his part. Mr.. Lewis
as been asked to come before the coun-
il and make a statement as to his worth