The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1918-04-01
GOVERNING SALES
OF THRIFT STAMPS
BY HOLLAND

by HOLLAND
New York, March Especially "A
week before the Third Liberty loan is
open to subscription, it is possible fol
official announcement to be made of the
aggregate sales of War Savings and
Thrift Stamps throughout the United
States in little over four months time.
The government has sold to the people
S113, 10000 worth of Thrift Stamps, most
ly in 25-cent purchases, in this period.
The interesting feature, however, of the
report is one which shows the steady in
crease in the sales of these stamps. In
December the sales were comparatively
small. They gradually increased in Jan
uary and the increase has been steady,
SO steady in fact as to justify the hope
that the entire amount of stamps which
the government has offered for sale Will
have been bought by the end of this year
80, 900, 600, 600 worth. The sales in New
York city show daily growth and are now
averaging nearly $4,000 each day. Fur
thermore, the city of New York has
bought s7,2s5.Ooo worth of stamps since
early in December.
SiAieiPS VIC iiiNoS q otlly NIB 1cdluIc a
ISOLATED with this new governmental OBJ
ject lesson in the science of saving is
the demonstration which has been ma de
in four months of the willingness of the
people to learn and the cheerfulnes with
which they have taken advantage of this
opportunity. Much the larger part OF
the savings which are invested in Thrift
Stamps comes from the purses of peo-
pie of moderate means and from wage
earners. Those who are now accustomed
to make investment of this kind pass
the word along to their friends ana in
that way the proposition is thoroughly
advertised and the movement is beccm-
ing very popular.
FOR THE ALLIES
However justified some Of the criti-
cism may be with respect to what is al
legged to be procrastination in war prep
arations and however sincere the feeling
may be across the sea, that in the year
which has elapsed since we entered the
war we have not fully met the expecta-
tons of our allies, nevertheless there is
one studepndous achievement by the
United States in the way of assistance
which seems often to be overlooked
further legislates in accordance with his
recommendations. be able to lend to the
allies SO0o,5c0,000 including the money
already lent Congress has authorized
81, 000. 100000 and Secretary McAdoo has
not hesitated to utilize this fund so that
he has already employed about 5000 00l
In service of this kind to our allies
Should Congress authorize extension OF
further credits by as much as $1,000, 900, 90,
In ~ tpxa x.,tft IL.
Secretary McAdoo then the Secretary
will have available for loans to the allies
this year $500 100000 considera BILE
part of this fund will be exhausted by
the end of the fiscal year
We may not have been able to furnish
all the men that the allies had hoped
Our shipping and our airplane prepare
tons may. possibly. not have come III
to expectation, and the shipment OF food
and munitions NAV be below the amount
which was expected But 1t is said In the
financial district that after all In the
past wear the greatest service the
United States has been able to give to
the allies has been in the form OF FANS,
and this Is service which will be con-
tinued. There will be no necessity OF
speeding up machinerv: there will he no
demand for labor. The people will re-
spond cheerfully to any request the gov
eminent may make for loans. and II is
the prevailing belief that it will moot he
necessary for Congress at least at this
session to adopt any new and addi-
tionai tax measures.
So far as the money supplies are CON
cerned, therefore, our allies across the
sea can have no concern. The United
states viii aid them to the full extent
Of their needs. What the allies conld
have done had iris country hnAn unable
to give them financial assistance is.
NJ course a s,aatta~ Of co~iactpre I'M,
'he~A &c no doubt that tho fl-oncial AID
Furnished hv the United States ,as
eNrvAd "restlv TO maintai, and ircrea CO
the efficiency of the EnetiSh ans Frenc IN
'r''r'es md also TO be of great service
70 the JtaHa,s.
NOT AS EXPECTED
Although some of those who are leaders
in the financial district who have been
in consultation with the Washington
authorities expected that Secretary Nc
Adoos offer of new Liberty Loan
would be in terms of this kind: First
the aggregate amount of the loan to 10
at least 5000. 100000; second, the rate OF
interest TO be Az per cent, nevertheless
bankers here and 1t is understood all
over the country have cheerfully ac-
cepted the proposition which Secretary
McAdoo has made The organization OF
the American bankers IN support OF this
Third Liberty Loan is believed to be the
best yet made For that reason it is
presumed that the full amount asked FOR
by the Secretary. s3.on0.0oN 600, viii be
subscribed easily within the time al
loted. Very likely there will he over
subscriptions. The impression ia genera
that the public will subscribe as reality
and fully as they did to the Second Lib
ertv Loan. for. now there is good under
standing throushont the entire country
not only OF the meaning which lies be-
hind this loan. but also OF the safety and
the reasonable as we'll as sure return
unon the investment.
When this loan is subscribed It Is re-
~srded as certain that Secretary McAdoo
viii not find Il necessary to ask the
neoele ~ subscribe 10 p fourth Liberty
Loan until late in the fall ~ this Year.
possibly not untilfnearIv winter Bv that