The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1918-10-24
WEST VIRGIHIANS TO
AID STRICKEN JEWS
Three Day Non Sectarian
Drive to be Conducted
In the State.

The West Virginia nonsectarian
drive for funds for the Jewish war
sufferers promises to be a unique
event in the history OF the state. For
the first time in ffty-five years of
its existence, the commonwealth has
gathered its forces for the relief OF
stricken Jews IN the war zones Of
Europe. The executive chairman and
the general publicity manager for the
state have Just returned from a tour
OF organization, and report that the
fifty-five counties OF the state are all
ready to start on the great drfce
which is to open October %, 80, 81.
While In Charleston, the gentlemen
had a conference with Governor Corn
we'll He was very enthusiastic about
the work to be undertaken; and gave
his whole hearted support to the move
ment. In addition to the proclama-
ion which has been issued, he as
sured the chairmen Of his willingness
to serve in any capacity. He also e1-
pressed himself as glad that he had
the opportunity to be OF service to =
people that had suffered as much as
the Jews.
Stories have come fom the oN:u-
pied territories that are enough to
make ones blood boil. Old men and
women who could not by any stretch
Of the imagination be considered bel
Iigerents or even capable Of activity
have been Ianced and massacered by
brutal troopers. Children have been
nlaltreated. While the majority OF
the population OF some towns have
been herded together and forced to
remain for days on end without food
or shelter other than the warmth OF
their own bodies.
A telegram has been transmitted by
Secretary Lansing from Su1ope which
reads:
For Gods sake aise all money you
can. Conditions indescribable. Peo-
pie perishing from hunger. Death rate
en- per cent. Soup kitchens and asy-
Iums for aged and children closed Tor
lack OF funds. Children cannot at
TEND school account extreme weakness
and lack of clothing. An unexampled
catastrophe faces the Jews. America
practically sole help. Signed, Senior
1870 ROBERT LANSING,
Secretary OF State
On oct. %, 80, 81, West Virginia VIII
send its reply to this wire. It viii not
fan to answer In the only effective
way. It will answer with money to
feed the hungry. to help the aged and
to save the starving. 1t must answer
if It is to remain the state we know:
the state where men are 1ree ano
foval to the ideals OF America
The movement is endorsed by some
Of the most prominent people IN Ine
safe and the following Is Letter re
ceived rom DR.. s. L. Jepsen' stare
health commissioner.
october 18th, 1918.
American Jewish Relief Committee
Wheeling, W. Va.
have your letter Of the 18th inst
With The governors proclamation en-
closed. realize to the fullest extent
the great need to relief to ALLEVIATE
the s1ferings Of the mFnEonS OF human
beings in the different parts OF Eu'
roDe whose distress have been so I'M
mensely aggravated by the cruel wa
now happily drawing to Its concLos'
ION. I an SO overwhelmed with WORK
that It is not possible for me TO gave
INV special attention to this MAJ:
Ter. but you are at liberty to use my
name in connection with the work IN
any way which you deem proper
Very sincerely yours
8. L. JEPS0N.
State Health Commissioner