The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1919-05-13
SPARGO VOWED
To Do HIS BIT
FOR ''LASs|Es''
Inspired By Work of Salvation
Army in France
SPEAKS FOR COMMITTEE
Will Assist in Local Campaign 20
Raise Much Needed
Funds

Although the Salvation Army has
no local organization here in Benning-
ton, its appeal for funds to develop
and carry on its great work will not
be permitted to go unheeded. Steps
are being taken to insure the collec-
tion Of a fund here which will be
worthy Of the cause and at the same
time uphold Bennington's reputation
for generosity and loyalty to all war
work. A town committee has been
formed representing every section of
the community and plans made for
short, swift and comprehensive cam
paign. The chairman of the commit
tee is William H. Wills and the treas
urer Homer H. Webster Of the Ben
nington County Bank. There is an
executive committee Of which John
Spargo is chairman, and of which Will
liam H. Wills, John p. Mulligan,
Frank f. Howe, Fred c. Martin, Mrs.
George S. Mills and Homer H. Web
ster are members
Describing the work that is to be
carried on by the committee, John
Spargo said today: Bennington peo-
pie will not need any argument to
convince them that they ought to sup
port the Salvation Army in this great
drive. We all know what the Saliva
tion Army has done and is still doing
for our soldiers and the soldiers of
the allied armies, That work has
won the admiration of the whole
world.
When was in Europe last sum-
mer ! saw the work of the Army on
the battlefields of France and Bel
gium, as we'll as behind the lines. 1
saw the "lassies" of the Army right
UP close to the trenches with their in
eyitable and world-famous, doughnuts
and Witnessed the affection of the
men for the organization. had
never Thought mach about the Saliva.
tion Army, but ! vowed then-it was
at the edge OF 9chStesf nffierry-that
when lofeturned T'would do my bit to
help the ARMY and soagiTe expression
to my gratitude That fs9why | have
agreed to drop my work for a few
days to help put this drive across.
That is my contribution to the Cause.
THE local committee is sending
personal appeals through the mails to
great many citizens. Although the
date set for the formal opening Of the
campaign is the 18th, we are urging
these people to respond at once, so
that on the opening day we may have
good sum to start off with. Person
ally, ! hope that every person receiv-
ing such a letter will make il a spec
ial point to respond at once and send
liberal contributions to Mr., Webster,
our treasurer. OF course, people who
are not thus directly appealed to by
letter are invited to send their con.
tributions in the same way We have
also made an appeal to all the local
ministers, urging them to take steps
to raise funds among their parishon.
ers and congregations. This is emf.
nently appropriate and fitting. The
work Of the Army has been and is alb
! sOlutely nonsectarian Its appeal is
very earnestly indorsed by great lead
ers of the Catholic church like Cardi.
nal Gibbons, by great protestant lead
ers like Bishop Greer and DR.. Lyman
Abbott and by great Hebrew leaders
| like Rabbi Schulmann and Rabbi
Wise.
I'VE are also making a direct ap-
peal to all local organizations. incud-
ing the great fraternal and benevolent
orders-the Elks, the X. of c., the
Masons, the Oddfelows, Foresters.
and so on. We are confident that
they will respond with generosity and
be glad of the chance to pay the Army
the tribute 1t deserves. In many Of
the large cities the Elks and the
Masons are really making the cam
paign. That Bennington will do It's
full share | am quite convinced.
ut is not likely that we shall at.
tempt a house to house canvas For
one thing, We don't believe II will be
necessary to do So But we aim TO
reach practically everybody in one
way or another. Means will be taken
to collect the nickels and dimes OF
those who can only give so much, and
| hope that we shall be able to make
at least one collection in every fac.
tory
In the meantime, the committee
desires to appeal to every citizen to
contribute according to his or her
means. Checks should be made pay.
able to Homer Webster and cash do
nations can be made to Mr. Webster
at the County Bank or to any mem.
her of the committee"